Volunteer Spotlight: Christine Walton

How did you first become involved with Portsea SLSC?

Our family has always holidayed on the Peninsula so it’s home away from home. One summer, when our eldest daughter was in her mid-teens, she declared that our holidays were boring etc. That week we were spending time at Portsea back beach, and I saw a group of teens having a great time in the surf. I approached a lifeguard (who I later learnt was Lochie Wilson) and he informed me this was the Bronze Camp group. We were too late for that year’s intake, but she was enrolled the next Summer and our younger daughter the following year. As a family, we offered to help where we could so we could get to meet club members and get more involved. The rest is history!

2002 Swim Classic. From the left is David and then me, we were always in the Pre registration tent

What motivates you to volunteer your time each season?

I love the beach and lifesaving provides a perfect excuse to spend more time at it. This, coupled with spending time with a wonderful team of people make patrolling fun. As an ex-nurse, this also keeps my first aid skills updated. My involvement with the Swim Classic and other events is an all-year involvement, so this keeps me connected with the club and the people and keeps me out of trouble!

The amazing Legends Patrol team

Is there a particular moment or memory at the club that stands out for you?

I have several. It’s hard to pick one.

1) My husband David died suddenly in 2014. In the days and months that followed, one of the things I have always held closest was the extraordinary support shown to our family — and how many of those people were from the club. From bringing meals (including remembering that my daughter was vegan), to helping navigate a few legal matters, to simply dropping by to check in, the club went above and beyond in ways we will never forget. At the following Swim Classic, a photo of David was placed at the VIP tent and later at the bar. He was also awarded a posthumous place on the Wall of Fame, which was incredibly special to us. As I have said many times, PSLSC saves people in more places than just the beach. Our family is a living example of that.

Swim after party, David on the left. Part of the support team in many ways

2) Seeing our daughters in the Portsea bathers for the first time and in Lifesavers uniform was special. Then when my granddaughter joined Nippers and put on those bathers for the first time, I was pretty stoked.

3) In 2018, I was honoured with a place on the Wall of Fame. It was an unexpected moment, presented at the Swim Classic, after-party and one I will always treasure. Much of my contribution has been behind the scenes, so to know it had been noticed and valued was both humbling and meaningful. For those of us who may never be club swimming champions but give our time and energy in other ways, it felt like recognition not just of my efforts, but of many others who quietly support the club.

4) One moment that stands out for me above many others was the 2022 Portsea Swim Classic, held as Victoria was emerging from COVID lockdowns. I was part of the committee that worked tirelessly to make that swim happen at a time when uncertainty was high and many events simply couldn’t proceed. Craig Evans and I worked and reworked plans in an ever-changing environment- so may Zoom calls!! The planning was complex, the responsibility immense, and yet the determination to bring people back together — safely, carefully, and with purpose — never wavered. We had an amazing committee that put in so much to make that event happen. Standing on the beach that day, watching swimmers return to the water and the community reconnect (albeit at a safe distance), remains one of the most rewarding moments of my involvement with the club.

Absolute joy after the 2022 Swim Classic- the one they said would happen because of Covid.

5) In March 2024, together with 65 family and friends, and the continued support of the PSLSC staff, James and I were married on the deck of Portsea Club. The wedding party had to duck for cover as the magpies joined us, but the sun shone, the surf rolled softly and the sunset didn’t let us down. As the great food was served (and commented on by many guests), the drink flowed and the dance music echoed across the deck, this club marked the beginning of a new chapter that has continued to hold so much meaning for us.

James and I at our wedding on the Portsea balcony – with our magpie visitor.

What do you love most about being part of the Portsea community?

Celebrating 75 years of Portsea

What I love most about being part of the Portsea community is the way the club lives its values every day. At its core, Portsea Surf Life Saving Club exists to save lives through the dedication of volunteer patrols, strong water safety practices, and ongoing work with local schools and youth groups to build confidence, skills and respect for the ocean.
Beyond this, the club values every contribution, whether it’s on the beach, in the water, behind the scenes or within the committee room. Everyone’s role matters, and that sense of respect and shared purpose is deeply felt. By always putting club values first, Portsea strives to create a community that is inclusive, resilient and genuinely committed to looking after people — not just on the shoreline, but across the wider community.