Board of Management
North Bondi SLSC is a non-profit volunteer organization, run by it’s members, for it’s members. The Board of Management are voted in at the club Annual General Meeting, and serve for that current season on the “Board”. The Club has other office bearers & sub committees that report through to the Board positions. The Board meets at least monthly and the minutes are available on the members area of this website.
Steve ‘Bluey’ Larnach
President
Steve is a second-generation Bondi local – growing up in Ramsgate Avenue, and attending Bondi Beach Public School and Dover Heights Boys High. Steve has always lived and worked in Bondi, starting his apprenticeship as a motor mechanic in 1982 and then opening STL Automotive in 1993. He joined North Bondi in 1980 at age 15, in 1981 was awarded Junior Member of the Year. He was made a Patrol Captain in 1989 and was granted Long Service in 1991. Steve previously served on the Board of Management from 2005-2015, where held the positions of Head of Finance, Vice President and Public Officer. Steve was made a Life Member of North Bondi SLSC in 2017 and is also a Wally Weeks benefactor. North Bondi is a family affair for Steve with his wife Tara, and his daughters Katie and Ellie, all being members. Steve has a passion for surf boats and competed in surf boat rowing from 1980-86. He started sweeping surf boats in 2004, has been Boat Captain since 2014 and has coached and mentored both male and female athletes to a very high level. Steve and his crews have medalled in State and Aussie finals and have represented NSW on three occasions. Steve is also an SLSA Coaching Assessor.
Phil Suriano
Vice President & Head of Sponsorship, Marketing and Special Events
Phil is a long service member of North Bondi having joined when he enrolled his daughter Jess in Nippers. He was actively involved in the nipper program as an age manager and later as head of water safety. He remains an active patrolling member being part of the IRB team and is on the clubs gym committee. As a current board member of North Bondi he is Head of Sponsorship & Marketing responsible for managing the clubs sponsorships and fund raising events. The surf club plays a big part in Phil’s life with the club and its members being the start of his daily routine. He and his family continue to be involved in surf club activities.
Matt Hamilton
Head of Youth
Matt is second generation North Bondi, his father Tony being a long time life member. Matt has always been involved in the club first as a nipper himself, then as a junior doing his Bronze in 1988 and into the senior ranks, He has had an active involvement in competition side of the club throughout his youth and recently got back involved as a masters competitor. He is North Bondi’s longest serving swimmer in the Stan & Bas McDonald relay. Matt has three children all coming through the nippers. In this time he has been involved in nippers as an Age Manager, Nippers coach and is currently Nippers President.
Scott Averay
Head of Finance
Scott completed his Bronze Medallion in 2013 and since that time has been actively involved in many aspects of the club. He undertook his IRB Crew course before ever doing a patrol, went on to complete the IRB Drivers course and was then IRB Captain for 2 years. He has also assisted with IRB training and was a Patrol Captain for 5 years.
He has been a member of the Finance Committee for 4 years, and as Head of Finance is responsible for the clubs overall financial well-being.
Scott is a fairly average ski paddler, but enjoys training with the NB Surf Sports squad.
Greg Bodkin
Head of Administration
Greg is a life member of NBSLSC and has held many positions over the years, including being a past President on the Board of Management. Starting as a nipper at the age of 5, he has seen plenty of change in the club over the last 55 years and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge back to the Board. Outside of the club, he is Senior Vice President for the Global Supply Chain at Cochlear and spends time ocean swimming and with his family.
David Freedman
Head of Life Saving
David is a passionate lifesaver, educator, and masters competitor at North Bondi Surf Club. Moving to Australia in 2017 to complete his JD of Law at UNSW, David completed his Bronze Medallion in the 2018/19 season and has held many roles across the organisation, including Club Vice-Captain, Patrol Captain, IRB Crew, BM Coordinator, Higher Awards Coordinator, Complaints & Grievance Officer, ART/BM/SRC Trainer/Assessor, and has served on several committees within the Club and Sydney Branch.
A highly awarded member of North Bondi Surf Club, David has received numerous Club recognitions and awards for Training, Education and Life Saving, including the 2021 Patrons Award for Most Outstanding Club Member, and most recently the 2024 Club award for Outstanding Contribution to Lifesaving Support.
As an active Patrol Captain, Trainer, Assessor and competitor, David is excited to join the Board, to combine his extensive background in high-level Executive Operations Management with his commitment to the volunteer Life Saving movement and his love for North Bondi Surf Club.
Ambar Maddox
Head of Education
Ambar first engaged with the Surf Life Saving community as an “attempted” Nipper & Junior SRC at Currumbin SLSC in Queensland back in the 90s. Decades later (and much to her parents’ surprise…), Ambar returned back to the Surf Life Saving community, joining North Bondi SLSC in 2019. After completing her Bronze Medallion, she immediately joined the Education team. Fueled by a passion for driving member confidence and ensuring a positive experience for prospective and future members, Ambar has been heavily involved in teaching Adult Bronze cohorts at NBSLSC each year since joining NBSLSC. Like many other passionate members, she has gained a number of further qualifications including First Aid, ART, IRB, Silver Medallion and Lead Trainer, as well as championing initiatives such as higher-skills training and weekly board rescue sessions for building confidence & competence in the water.As Head of Education, Ambar leads a team of dedicated education committee members who are committed to delivering engaging, high-quality training that equips the club’s members to be capable, confident, and connected members of the Surf Life Saving community. Outside of the club, you’re likely to run into Ambar in the water out for a surf or a swim – or in the off-season down at South Bondi as a member of Icebergs Winter Swim Club.
Jimmy Spencer
Head of Operations
Jimmy is a Long Service member having joined North Bondi soon after his arrival in Australia from Ireland in 2000. He obtained his Long Service with current Bronze Medallion.
As a local, North Bondi has been an integral part of his and his families life, with his wife Natalie and their children Chloe and Patrick all being members.
Jimmy has been an Age Manager with Nippers since his daughter started in 2018 and both Chloe and Patrick are part of the Nippers Competition team.
Jimmy recently took on the role of Head of Operations to support the NBSLSC in development of its operations and maintenance programs.
With years of experience in the plumbing industry and running a successful local plumbing business, Green Plumbing Solutions, Jimmy felt that he would be able to make a valuable contribution to the club in this area while continuing to compliment and develop the work done by the Management Team.
Jimmy likes to have a surf and board paddle. Jimmy has competed as a master for the club in beach flags, sprints and board paddling. He loves spending time in the ocean.
John Clothier
Head of Surf Sports
After moving to Sydney in 2005 John joined North Bondi first competing a master and then as an age manager as all three kids went through nippers. He still has twins competing in the under 17s and enjoys getting active himself. He is head of the surf sports and loves every aspect of seeing North Bondi going head to head with the best in our sport. John and his family live locally and love being in and around the club and what it offers. Outside of surf lifesaving he works in the financial services industry. He has been on the Board since 2017.
