Region’s lifesaving volunteers recognised

MORE than two dozen of the region’s lifesaving volunteers were awarded on Saturday night for their outstanding achievements in operations, club services, development, training, and sports during season 2021-22 at Life Saving Victoria’s (LSV) Valuing Volunteer Events (West).

One of the volunteers honoured over the weekend at Jan Juc SLSC was long-serving Anglesea SLSC volunteer Bernedus “Ben” Homburg who said his 30 years of service had countless positives.

“I’ve made some incredible friendships through lifesaving, and really value the camaraderie of all the competitors and officials across all different age groups,” Mr Homburg said.

“I’ve also built upon my management skills in managing people and events.

“I love that officiating gives you the opportunity to be part of the action on the beach without getting too wet. There’s really something for everyone.”

Last weekend’s event was one of three regional-based events across the state as part of National Volunteer Week, an initiative by Volunteering Australia that recognises the invaluable contributions of volunteers across the country.

Victoria’s western clubs contributed 54,649 of the state’s 169,164 patrol hours for the season, equating to 2,227 overall days of patrolling the region’s beaches.

LSV acting president Adam Alsbury congratulated all the western Victorian winners and thanked them for their efforts this season.

“LSV’s volunteers fill countless roles,” Mr Alsbury said.

“From those in the red and yellow patrolling the beach, the people in administration working behind the scenes, the nipper instructors encouraging the volunteers of the future, to those flipping sausages on the barbecue every weekend, we couldn’t save lives every summer without the collective efforts of every one of our 43,000-strong volunteer community.

“Although the winter marks a shift from active patrols for our life savers, many of them will continue their training, planning and involvement all year round, so we thank everyone for their continued dedication to lifesaving.”

The full list of recipients on the night include:
Lifesaving services significant contribution:
Jack Kennedy, Ocean Grove SLSC
Marcus Dripps, Jan Juc SLSC
Anthony Hodder, Point Lonsdale SLSC
James Coutie, Point Lonsdale SLSC
Edward MacKay, Anglesea SLSC
Sebastiaan Top, Anglesea SLSC
James Carew, Lorne SLSC
Wayne Cartwright, Anglesea SLSC

Volunteer training significant contribution:
Phillip Hughes, Point Lonsdale SLSC
James Green, Mildura LSC

Membership and leadership development significant contribution:
Jamie Phillips, Lorne SLSC
James McGlashan, Lorne SLSC
Celina Matlock, Fairhaven SLSC
Liam O’Callaghan, Fairhaven SLSC
Laura Buckley, Fairhaven SLSC
Jessica Robinson, Point Lonsdale SLSC
Samuel Dripps, Jan Juc SLSC
Isabel Greer, Ocean Grove SLSC

Aquatic sports significant contribution:
Warren Clarke, Anglesea SLSC
John Clinch, Ocean Grove SLSC
Bernedus Homburg, Anglesea SLSC
Bruce Honey, Ocean Grove SLSC
David Pavia, Ocean Grove SLSC
Maurice McCutcheon, Fairhaven SLSC
Matthew Wood, Warrnambool SLSC
Samuel Ranson, Barwon Heads 13th Beach SLSC