{"id":155900,"date":"2025-02-27T04:00:28","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T17:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=155900"},"modified":"2025-02-27T19:10:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T08:10:40","slug":"dedicated-lifesaver-martin-takes-home-national-medal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/dedicated-lifesaver-martin-takes-home-national-medal\/","title":{"rendered":"Dedicated lifesaver Martin takes home National Medal"},"content":{"rendered":"

ANGLESEA local Mike Martin has been lauded for his service to lifesaving and been awarded distinguished national honours.<\/p>\n

Last week, the 80-year-old was told he would be awarded the 1st Clasp Honour National Medal by Life Saving Australia for his dedication to the sport.<\/p>\n

To be eligible for the award, Mike patrolled a minimum of 30 hours on the beach for 25 straight years.<\/p>\n

Martin, however, has been patrolling a lot longer, 45 years in fact, but for many years, did not reach the 30 hours due to travelling and other commitments.<\/p>\n

The 80-year-old begun his journey down at Point Leo, receiving his bronze medallion as a teenager, before shifting down to Anglesea Surf Life Saving to continue lifesaving in 1979\/1980.<\/p>\n

Across the past 46 years, Martin has been involved all in facets of the club.<\/p>\n

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Mike Martin has been part of the Anglesea SLSC for over 45 years.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From mentoring and coaching junior members, to ridding the showers of the “45 kilograms” of sand and cooking plenty of BBQ’s, Martin says there isn’t much he hasn’t lend a hand towards.<\/p>\n

Martin has been Life Saving Victoria Volunteer of the Year on multiple occasions and won Surf Life Saving Australia’s National Assessor of the Year in 2018.<\/p>\n

He said his recent National Medal was a lovely addition.<\/p>\n

“You join surf lifesaving and stay in it for the time I’ve been involved, not for recognition, but for the fun, the camaraderie and giving back to such a fantastic organisation.<\/p>\n

“These things [the awards] pop up as you are doing things you enjoy. Somewhere along the line, someone dobs you in!<\/p>\n

“Personally, I feel rewarded by seeing the development of young Australians through the sport.”<\/p>\n

Mike has seen Anglesea’s membership base grow from a handful of locals, to more than 1,800 over his tenure.<\/p>\n

He said he hopes to stick around a bit longer and help support the club where he can.<\/p>\n

“If there’s things I can do and mentor and help, with the training and assessing, then I will.<\/p>\n

“There’s lots of fantastic people around who make a fantastic contribution.<\/p>\n

“I will fill gaps, if it’s working on the barbecue or sweeping the showers of the 45 kilos of sand which is brought into them.<\/p>\n

“It [being around the club] a lot more fun than painting and gardening at home!”<\/p>\n

Mike Martin was one of 18 local surf lifesavers to receive a National Medal for 15 or more years of service.<\/p>\n

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