Field notes

Changing face of Bondi's lifeguards

No longer just white males, members include women, Muslims, asylum seekers

MS MECCA LAALAA HADID, Australia’s first female Muslim lifeguard (above), wearing a specially designed burkini uniform.
The children’s doctor is a volunteer patrol supervisor (left, in yellow top) for the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club. PHOTOS: JONATHAN PEARLMAN
Ms Pastiras, an architect, is happiest when she does her lifesaving work.
Dr Hotton (above) says being a member of his local club at Bondi makes him feel a part of the community.
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During the week, 27-year-old Ms Katerina Pastiras works long days in Sydney as an architect at a busy city firm.

On weekends, she heads to Sydney's Bondi beach to fulfil her duties in her second vocation - as a volunteer lifesaver.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 04, 2017, with the headline Changing face of Bondi's lifeguards. Subscribe