Lorne SLSC volunteers win state rescue honours

LORNE Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) volunteer Sophie Carne was named Life Saving Victoria’s (LSV’s) Youth Lifesaver of the Year at this year’s Awards of Excellence.

The Youth Lifesaver of the Year award was presented to Ms Carne at the 20-year anniversary of the annual awards night on Saturday evening at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.

Ms Carne said she was ectastic to take out the prestigious crown for her contribution to delivering frontline patrolling services on the Surf Coast.

“I could not be more grateful for the opportunities lifesaving offers its young members, and for the mentors and role models I have had the opportunity to work with this season,” she said.

“Lorne SLSC and LSV have been a huge part of my life for over 10 years now, and I am proud of our work to prevent drowning and help people return home from their day at the beach safely.”

Ms Carne also expressed her joy for her fellow Lorne SLSC volunteers who were awarded Rescue of the Year for their Christmas Day rescue performed at Cumberland River.

The Cumberland River rescue saw Lorne volunteers Bella Fox Cera, Alisa Johnson, Lucas Karlson, Harvey Marriner, Paul McMaster, Ruby McMaster, Sam Ord, and Ted Page-Walker respond to an incident where three swimmers were in distress at the nearby, unpatrolled location.

One patient was unconscious and not breathing, one was unconscious but breathing, and the third, conscious and breathing but in shock.

The octave performed CPR on two patients and worked with emergency services to care for the patients and their families.

While one patient regained consciousness and was airlifted to hospital and another was cared for on-scene and transferred to hospital, tragically, one could not be revived.

Ted Page-Walker, who was one of the first lifesavers on scene and said he was incredibly proud of the group of lifesavers for their efforts to save two lives.

“Christmas Day was a very emotional and difficult day, and I extend my heartfelt condolences not only to the family and friends of the young person who drowned, but also to those on the front line who attended this confronting event.

“For Lorne SLSC to win Rescue of the Year is a testament to Lorne’s emergency response team and the hours of training volunteers contribute.

“It should be acknowledged that numerous other individuals and organisations worked alongside the Lorne SLSC volunteer members to save the lives of two people.”

Other award winners from the region included Eleanor Barr from Anglesea SLSC (Beach Lifeguard of the Year), Steven Scammell from Jan Juc SLSC (Volunteer Trainer of the Year), Leisurelink Aquatic and Recreation Centre (Swim and Survive Partner of the Year) and Naantali Marshall from Anglesea SLSC (Masters Athlete of the Year).

LSV president Paul James congratulated all recipients for their outstanding commitment across all aspect of surf lifesaving.