Local lifesavers honoured during National Volunteer Week

LIFE Saving Victoria (LSV) has thanked more than 40 volunteers from the Geelong region for their huge efforts during the 2020-21 season.

Coinciding with National Volunteer Week, the Valuing Volunteers Evening at URBNSURF recognised LSV’s most outstanding volunteers in areas including Special Contributions to Lifesaving, Long Service Awards, 100+ Patrol Hours and State Services.

“We are incredibly proud of our volunteers for stepping up to the challenges of season 2020-21, including continuing patrols as an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic,” LSV president Paul James said.

“This season has shown how integral every volunteer role is in holding our lifesaving clubs together and continuing our water safety education and drowning prevention work. Without volunteers, our organisation simply could not exist, and I thank every one of you for your efforts.”

Award recipients from the Geelong region included:

Special Contribution Award – Membership and Leadership Development

• Laura Cantwell (Ocean Grove SLSC, Brighton LSC and Portsea SLSC)
• Mike Martin (Anglesea SLSC)
• Kevin Larkins (Torquay SLSC)
• Courtney O’Brien (Ocean Grove SLSC)
• Grace Lightfoot (Jan Juc SLSC).

Special Contribution Award – Lifesaving Services

• Ash Baxter (Jan Juc SLSC)
• James Coutie (Point Lonsdale SLSC)
• Paul Lunny (Anglesea SLSC)
• Shannon Tierney (Ocean Grove SLSC)
• Madeleine Lamb (Fairhaven SLSC)

Special Contribution Award: Volunteer Training

• Susan O’Rourke (Apollo Bay SLSC)
• Fiona Topolcsanyi (Ocean Grove SLSC)
• Special Contribution Award: Aquatic Sports
• Peter Van Deuren (Lorne SLSC).

100+ Patrol Hours Gold

• James Coutie (Point Lonsdale SLSC, LSV Comms, LSV rescue water craft service, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Drone Service)
• Toby Dobell (Point Lonsdale SLSC, LSV Comms, Gunnamatta SLSC, LSV rescue water craft service)Nicholas Giblin (Ocean Grove SLSC, LSV rescue water craft service, LSV Comms and Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter)
• Huw Joyce (Point Lonsdale SLSC and LSV Comms)
• Aidan O’Rourke (Apollo Bay SLSC)
• Michael Schofield (Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC and Altona LSC)
• Alex Schwarcz (Fairhaven SLSC, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter and LSV rescue water craft service)
• Jack Slykhuis (Lorne SLSC, Half Moon Bay SLSC, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter, Westpac Lifesaver Drone Service and LSV rescue water craft service)
• Nick Vouk (Lorne SLSC, South Melbourne LSC, Woolamai Beach SLSC and LSV Comms).

“We are incredibly proud of our volunteers for stepping up to the challenge of continuing patrols as an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr James said.

“We are extremely grateful for the continued commitment and dedication of our volunteers, which enabled LSV to continue our mission of preventing aquatic-related injury or death across many diverse communities.”