McDonald wins top Ocean Grove SLSC award

OCEAN Grove Surf Life Saving Club crowned its award winners from the 2024-25 patrol season earlier this month.

The most prestigious honour, the John Bishop Best Club Person Memorial Award, went to Amenah McDonald who holds many roles at the club.

She is director of life saving/club captain, on the emergency response team and also on the club’s board.

She also competes and medals at local, state and national levels.

“But it is her passion and commitment to the whole club that was celebrated, where she gives above and beyond in her support, and mentoring to all member ages and stages and especially our young people,” president Lyndie Freestone said.

Among the plethora of other awards, some members were acknowledged for their voluntary hours and years of service, some doing more than 200 hours in the one season.

Freestone also gave an update from recent months.

“Since the red and yellow flags have come down, our emergency response team has been kept on their toes attending several out of hours incidents, and members were acknowledged with ‘outstanding service awards’ for the major rescues that have been performed.

“Most notably two of our members Bruce Honey and Henry Gove rescued three victims in an overturned boat off the Bluff in the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB), under the guidance of a helicopter light as the rescue took place in darkness – commendations even coming from the Water Police for an exceptional effort.

“Other members back at the club were able to assist with primary care before ambulances arrived and the men are lucky to be alive.”

Young members Jack Borthwick and Tyler Smith were similarly recognised for performing seven rescues on one patrol shift.

The club also had members assist with the helicopter crash off Point Lonsdale last month.

In another incident, one of the club’s younger members, who is a lifeguard, assisted in the resuscitation of a victim in Barwon Heads.

“This highlights the amazing skills and training our members undertake to be able to perform rescues and attend incidents in very challenging circumstances, and underpins all that we celebrate about life saving and the essential role the club has in keeping our community safe,” Freestone said.

Other major award winners, include: Fred Leiper Best Patrol Person – David MacGregor; Dave Renton Patrol Service – Jack Borthwick; Barry Renton Memorial Best Competitor – Grayson Hyde; Bob Millet Lifesaver Improvement – Zane Conners, Zoe Naughtin, Tyler Smith; Rookie of the Year – Sylvia Melville; Excellence in Training – Andrew Smith; Ray Johnson Nipper of the Year – Lilian Spolding; Junior Development award – Elise Hanks; John Bishop Best Club Person Memorial Award – Amenah McDonald