This year marks 40 years of Surfest, an event that has become synonymous with Newcastle, our surfing culture and spectacular beaches. What began in 1985 as our local surfing competition has grown into the largest surfing festival in the Southern Hemisphere. I especially want to acknowledge the vision of Surfest founder, Warren Smith, whose passion and hard work helped build something truly lasting for our city. His legacy is seen not only in the event itself but also in the generations of surfers, volunteers and supporters who have carried it forward.

For four decades, Surfest has welcomed surfers from across Australia and indeed around the globe to our shores. But Surfest is much more than an elite competition. It's about the volunteers who arrive before sunrise to help run events. It's about the families who gather on the sand to watch the next generation of surfers take to the waves. It's about local businesses, community groups and sponsors who come together each year to make it happen. Surfest has helped put Newcastle firmly on the global surfing map, showcasing our beaches, our lifestyle and our love for the ocean. But, just as importantly, it's helped nurture young talent and inspire thousands of people to get in the water and have a go.