Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club this week announced the appointment of Craig Burton as the new General Manager of the Club, commencing Monday 13 October.
Club president Donald McKill said Craig has been successfully appointed following an independent, highly competitive national recruitment process led by Hudson Recruitment Agency.
“We would like to acknowledge the outstanding professional work of three of our members, Rhonda Clelland, Amelia Lorentson, and Alex Ihlenfeldt who undertook the rigorous task of reducing a solid field of applicants to the strongest candidates for Board consideration,” he said.
“As part of the process, shortlisted candidates were required to address several real-world scenarios with limited preparation time, providing valuable insight into their ability to perform under pressure. The Board is confident that, through this thorough process, we have made the right choice for the future of our club and we are very excited to welcome Craig into this vital role.”
Craig brings extensive senior management experience, with expertise in business strategy, financial management, community engagement, and project delivery.
Most recently, as Chief Executive Officer of the North Adelaide Football Club, he oversaw major facility refurbishments, guided two strategic plans, and implemented operational efficiencies across both licensed venues and club administration.
In addition to his professional career, Craig has contributed significantly to the surf lifesaving movement. He has served as a Director on the Board of Surf Life Saving South Australia for the past eight years, including as Chair of the Finance Advisory Committee for the last three seasons. He also chaired the State Surf Sports Advisory Committee, driving enhancements to the competition structure in South Australia.
At Glenelg SLSC, where he is a Life Member, Craig has held multiple management roles including Club Secretary, Captain, Ski Captain, Competition Officer, and House Manager. Craig’s lifelong passion for surf lifesaving is evident through his achievements as a surf sports competitor, ski coach, and accomplished paddler in both surf and ocean ski events. His experience as a regular Australian Championships competitor and medallist, combined with his deep understanding of surf lifesaving culture, ensures he will be a strong advocate for our members and our mission.
Craig will be relocating to Noosa with his wife, Leanne, who is also looking forward to joining our community. Leanne brings extensive experience in administration and finance, having worked at Kooyonga Golf Club, one of Australia’s most prestigious clubs.
“The Board is excited to welcome Craig and Leanne to Noosa Heads SLSC,” Mr McKill said.
“We are confident that Craig’s unique blend of professional expertise and personal dedication to surf lifesaving make him the ideal leader to guide our club into the future.”
We look forward to introducing Craig to our members and encourage you to join us in welcoming him when he begins his role in October.
