Local lifesavers achieve excellence

THE Surf Coast and Bellarine’s best lifesavers have cleaned up at the Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence, amassing more than ten statewide honours.

Athletes from Point Lonsdale through to Lorne were recognised for their outstanding achievements and contributions across the aquatic industry.

Anglesea SLSC president David Marsh took home the Graeme Long Memorial Medal for Volunteer of the Year.

Mr Marsh has been part of the surf lifesaving club for more than 40 years, first starting as a nipper when he was just five years old.

The Geelong local has been club president at Anglesea for the past four years and has served in many volunteering positions throughout his tenure.

He said he was incredibly proud of his new achievement.

“It’s amazing. You don’t do it for accolades… I do it because I love the club, and I love the people, it’s a truly flattering honour.

“What keeps me around is seeing the impact myself and others can have on people from a lifesaving perspective in saving them, being there and supporting them through tough times.

“It’s also got to be my kids. The direct impact I can see I can have on them and their friends – being a positive role model, it’s a real tangible thing.

“The award is particularly poignant for me, Graeme [Long] was someone I really looked up to.”

Anglesea also landed on the podium in two other categories, with Julia Phillips winning Athlete of the Year (Open) and James Betson winning Volunteer Trainer of the Year.

Ocean Grove SLSC stalwart Sonia Kinsey took home the Coach of the Year gong, while fellow clubman Grayson Hyde was awarded with Youth Athlete of the Year status.

Lorne’s Michael Garbelotto was presented with Beach Lifeguard of the Year, Fairhaven’s Poppy Morrison was victorious in the Volunteer Assessor of the Year, and Wye River athlete Michael Barrand was Athlete of the Year (Masters).