Windang’s Alyssa Norris has been named Wollongong’s Local Woman of the Year thanks to her commitment to making the beach a safe place for everyone to enjoy. Photo: Alyssa Norris.
Windang’s Alyssa Norris has been named the 2025 Wollongong Local Woman of the Year.
At 22 years old, Alyssa has a busy life as an apprentice electrician, but it’s her off-the-clock efforts to make the beach safe and fun for everyone that have won her recognition.
For about 50 hours each season, she patrols the beach as a surf lifesaver at Windang, where she’s vice-captain of the Windang Surf Life Saving Club.
Recently she drove the development and delivery of a tailored beach safety course for KidsWish children with disability.
She’s also campaigned for specialised bins to be installed in Foreshore Park at Windang for the safe disposal of hot coals.
Those bins have since been installed by Wollongong City Council.
State Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said naming Alyssa as the Wollongong Local Woman of the Year was a fitting tribute to her efforts.
“I’m proud to have Alyssa as an exceptional young role model in our community, dedicating her efforts to making Wollongong an even better place,” he said.
“At 22 years of age, Alyssa has already achieved so much. The lifelong dedication she has shown to volunteering and surf lifesaving is nothing short of amazing.”
Alyssa, a passionate advocate for community safety, has dedicated most of her life to volunteering.
Her parents first got her involved in surf lifesaving. When she was old enough, she completed her first patrol certificate and has gone on to be first aid officer, rookie coordinator and patrol captain.
Although her parents introduced her to surf lifesaving, her passion for being a clubbie is all her own.
“I fell in love with it straight away,” she said.
“The beach is for everyone. I love that I can give people the confidence to go swimming just by being there.
“It’s something so simple to give back to the community and it’s fun.”
Alyssa previously volunteered at KidsWish, but full-time work reduced her availability.
She still loves the charity and found a way to share her surf skills with the kids there, by developing an interactive beach safety course.
The first iteration of the course was delivered recently, and Alyssa hopes to turn it into a yearly event.
“I hadn’t seen a beach safety program for them, and I wanted to make one with a more interactive design, so we did,” she said.
“There are heaps of games to learn and the kids had a ball even though the weather was awful.”
In September 2024, Alyssa was named 2024 Illawarra Young Volunteer of the Year.
She received her accolade at the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards regional Illawarra division ceremony, in Wollongong.
Her passion is engaging young people and involving them in volunteering and surf lifesaving.
Alyssa believes the beach is for everyone.
“It can be a scary thing for people who aren’t familiar with it,” she said.
“Teaching people how to be safe so they can have fun and get involved is really heartwarming.
“I wasn’t expecting the award, but it felt very special to be recognised when there are so many amazing people in our community doing amazing stuff.”
The Local Women of the Year Awards recognise and celebrate progressive thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates, and innovative role models.
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