Tracey Sabrina Hare-Boyd from Balgowlah has been awarded the Emergency Services Medal in the 2026 Australia Day Honours for her distinguished service to surf lifesaving across Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The recognition honours her exceptional leadership overseeing more than 100 out-of-patrol-hour search and rescue operations over the past five years, along with her 2,300 volunteer patrol hours and countless additional hours in education, administration, and after-hours emergency response.
Hare-Boyd serves as President of Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches and maintains active involvement with North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club, where she began her lifesaving journey in 2006. Her dedication spans roles as trainer, assessor, facilitator, patrol captain, duty officer, and after-hours duty officer at both club and branch levels.
Breaking Ground in Surf Lifesaving
Tracey Sabrina Hare-Boyd made history as the first female Club President at North Steyne, serving two years in that capacity. Her leadership style focuses on breaking down barriers between junior and senior patrol members, encouraging them to learn from each other through joint tasks and shared responsibility.
She was named the inaugural Patrol Captain of the Year by Surf Life Saving NSW in 2018, becoming the first person to receive this state-level recognition. The award acknowledged her approach to ensuring every patrol member feels valued and utilized to their full ability.
At North Steyne, she maintains excellent beach management through effective communication with patrol members, the public, the Surfcom radio network, and Northern Beaches lifeguards. In emergency situations, she aims for quick resolution without compromising the safety or surveillance of other beachgoers.
From Club President to Branch Leader
After serving four years on the North Steyne Board of Directors, Hare-Boyd progressed through various committee positions including Age Manager, Registrar, Secretary, Administration Director, Chief Training Officer, Assistant Chief Training Officer, Patrol Captain, and Patrol Captain Mentor.
She became Member Services Director for the Sydney Northern Beaches Branch in 2013, advancing to Deputy President and then Acting President for six months before formally taking on the Branch President role in 2020. Despite the voluntary nature of the position, she commits more than 40 hours weekly to the role while continuing to patrol her beach and serve as a Duty Officer and SurfCom member each season.
In 2021, she received Life Membership of Surf Life Saving Sydney Northern Beaches, recognizing her sustained, conspicuous, and exceptional service over 14 years. Her numerous other awards include Volunteer of the Year, the Harry Ragan Outstanding Service Award, Training Officer of the Year, Assessor of the Year, and High Commendation Lifesaver of the Year.
Tracey’s Active Response Leadership
Tracey demonstrated her hands-on approach during a high-profile rescue at Shelly Beach in January 2018. Working alongside her son Trae, she coordinated a large emergency response team including off-duty doctors and nurses, lifeguards, and paramedics who successfully saved an ocean swimmer who had suffered a heart attack.
The Emergency Services Medal recognizes distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service. Instituted in 1999, it honours both those in state services and voluntary organizations involved in emergency management, training, or education.
For Balgowlah, Tracey’s recognition highlights the significant contributions Northern Beaches residents make to community safety. Her commitment to developing the next generation of surf lifesavers and her leadership during critical emergencies exemplify the dedication that keeps beaches safe year-round.
The award adds to a growing legacy of Northern Beaches surf lifesaving leaders recognized at the national level for their service to coastal safety and community protection.
Published 29-January-2026.
