Shannon Fox

Shannon Fox is known for her extensive contribution to surf lifesaving and was the second-ever woman to be named Surf Life Saving Australia’s (SLSA) Surf Life Saver of the Year for 2023. Over 16 patrolling seasons, she has just logged her 1,100th hour as a lifesaver. 

Shannon is a member of Wollongong City Surf Life Saving Club and in 2015 was elected as its first female Club Captain. She is a trailblazer in the surf lifesaving community, with roles as Captain of the Emergency Response callout team, Illawarra's first female Duty Officer, and SLSA’s representative on Leaders 4 Life – Surf Lifesaving New Zealand’s leadership program. Shannon recently spoke to audiences at the World Conference for Drowning Prevention in Perth. 

Born deaf, Shannon is passionate about diversity and inclusion, and has received The Shepherd Centre’s Oration Award for her contributions to the disability space. She also led the drive to rewrite her club’s constitution to make it gender inclusive. Shannon has held leadership positions at various levels, including captaining the Japan Lifesaving program in 2018 and directing the NSW Youth Leadership Programs. She is currently on SLSA's Lifesaving Standing Committee.