Local lifesavers lauded for 22/23 season

LOCAL lifesavers across the Greater Geelong and Surf Coast regions have been commended for their efforts protecting the region’s beaches at Life Saving Victoria’s (LSV) annual Valuing Volunteers Event.

LSV president Paul James praised the region’s local volunteers as well as those based across the state for their efforts and service throughout the busy summer period.

“It takes a special kind of person to give up their own time to help others, let alone the people we recognised at our Valuing Volunteers Events for contributing upward of 100 patrol hours and going above and beyond to extend our services well beyond the red and yellow flags,” Mr James said.

“Thanks to our lifesavers, 674 people made it home safely to their families, this is 674 incidents that could have turned out very differently without our people there to help.

More than 70 local lifesavers ranging from as far down the Bellarine as Point Lonsdale and down the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay were recognised for their contributions.

Among the major category recipients were Lyndie Freestone (Ocean Grove), Nancy Joseph (Fairhaven), David Marsh (Anglesea) and Martin McIntosh (Wye River), who were all presented with Significant Contribution Awards as club supporters. The Gold Medallion was bestowed upon Jake Jenkins (Torquay), Aidan O’Rourke (Apollo Bay), Brigette West (Point Lonsdale) and Bailey Wraith (Anglesea).

Meanwhile, Lorne’s James Carew was the only person in the region to receive a Significant Contribution Awards for lifesaving services.

“I am immensely proud of our people, whether you contribute one or 100 hours between the flags, support your club behind the scenes in training and administration, are out there educating the next generation of lifesavers, officiating sports carnivals or flipping sausages on the barbecue.

“Every one of our 45,000-plus members has made an invaluable contribution to our organisation, saving lives and empowering communities to safely enjoy Victoria’s beautiful waterways.”

The full list of local Valuing Volunteer Award recipients is:

100+ patrol hours – gold

Joseph Ames, Apollo Bay; Alexandras Bartaska, Apollo Bay, Brighton and Ocean Grove; Nathan Gillard, Jan Juc; Calden Lyons, Apollo Bay; Tielle Lyons, Apollo Bay; Evelyn Lyons, Apollo Bay; Susan O’Rourke, Apollo Bay; Sky Smith Apollo Bay.

100+ patrol hours – silver

Stephen Griffiths, Torquay; Andrew Griffiths, Lorne; Lucas Karlson, Lorne; Francis O’Rourke, Apollo Bay; Brenton Sayle, Barwon Heads 13th Beach; Michael Schofield, Jan Juc.

100+ patrol hours – bronze

Jonathon Cole, Torquay; Thom Cookes. Apollo Bay; Dora Dos Santos. Bancoora; Darrel Gill. Apollo Bay; Darren Hill, Apollo Bay; Bruce Honey, Ocean Grove; Cara Johnson, Ocean Grove; Huw Joyce. Point Lonsdale; Jasmine Lawrence, Wye River; David Marsh, Anglesea; Edward Page-Walker. Bancoora; David Pavia, Ocean Grove; Daniel Phillips. Torquay; Sarah Rylands. Apollo Bay; Mia Salomon, Apollo Bay; Tom Salomon, Apollo Bay; Stephen Scammell, Jan Juc; James Whelan, Apollo Bay; Emma Whelan, Apollo Bay.

Significant contribution awards – aquatic sport

John Baldock, Anglesea; Ian Blacnhonette, Jan Juc; Isabella Heather, Jan Juc; Sonia Kinsey, Ocean Grove; Mark Patterson, Torquay; Samuel Ranson, Barwon Heads 13th Beach; Andrew Richards, Jan Juc, Flynn Thompson, Lorne; Peter van Miltenbug, Anglesea.

Significant contribution awards – volunteer training

Apollo Bay SLSC training team; Thomas Cookes, Apollo Bay; Darren Hill, Apollo Bay; Calden Lyons, Apollo Bay; Evelyn Lyons, Apollo Bay; Tielle Lyons, Apollo Bay; Ross Marriner, Apollo Bay; Francis O’Rourke, Apollo Bay; Aiden O’Rourke, Apollo Bay; Emily O’Rourke, Apollo Bay; Thomas Salomon, Apollo Bay; Paige Sharp, Ocean Grove; Sky Smith, Apollo Bay; Harry Swingler. Apollo Bay, Geoffrey Thompstone, Jan Juc; James Whelan. Apollo Bay; Robert Wood, Apollo Bay.

Significant contribution awards – lifesaving services

James Carew, Lorne.

Significant contribution awards – membership and leadership development

Alisa Johnson; Lorne, Mark Scotland, Fairhaven.

Significant contribution awards – club support

Lyndie Freestone, Ocean Grove; Nancy Joseph, Fairhaven; David Marsh, Anglesea; Martin McIntosh, Wye River.

Gold medallion

Jake Jenkins, Torquay; Aidan O’Rourke, Apollo Bay; Brigette West. Point Lonsdale; Bailey Wraith, Anglesea.

State long service award

James Coutie, Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC and Point Lonsdale.