A number of long serving surf club members have been recognised for their outstanding efforts and contributions to their respective communities in the 2018 Australia Day Honours List announced last Friday.
Six NSW surf lifesavers received awards for their distinguished service.
Former Wallaby Captain and current Coogee SLSC member Simon Poidevin was made a member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM)
Donald Briggs, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Court, Brian Thompson, and Maurice Fuller were awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Donald Briggs obtained his Bronze Medallion in 1964 and has been involved at Shellharbour SLSC for over 50 years. He served as club president for 14 years and is a Life Member of his club and of the South Coast Branch, and was honoured for his wide-ranging contributions across his local community.
Lieutenant Colonel Peter Court obtained his Bronze Medallion in 1978, and was a recipient of a Meritorious Service Award for Coogee SLSC in 2011. He also was honoured for his distinguished career across a diverse range of fields. Brian Thompson was honoured for his extensive service to the surf lifesaving movement. A member of Elouera SLSC since 1973 and a Life Member since 1986, Brian has been heavily involved at all levels of the club. Some of his achievements include work on the carnival committee for 11 years, club captain for four seasons, chief instructor for four years, and patron of the club since 2009.
Maurice Fuller has been an active patrol member of Kempsey Crescent Head SLSC since 1958 and has served as club secretary since 2005. For his long service he was made a Life Member of the club in 2006 and received his Australia Day gong for services to his community, most notably motor sport.
Additionally Geoffrey King, a long-time supporter of Surf Life Saving received an OAM for his community work in the Coffs Harbour area. Mr King has been a sponsor of Woolgoolga SLSC since the late 1980s and a patron of the club since 2006. He also sponsors Sawtell SLSC among his many other community efforts.
“Our members are community minded individuals and this is highlighted by the efforts of those who received honours this year for their work both on and off the beach,” said SLSNSW CEO Steven Pearce.
“They all boast impressive community service records and we are lucky that they have donated their time to our wonderful movement over the years,” he said.
Surf Life Saving NSW would like to extend our congratulations to all those who received Australia Day Honours.
Australia Day Honours Recipients in NSW:
Mr Simon Poidevin – AM
Mr Donald Briggs – OAM
Lieutenant Colonel Peter Court RFD ED (Retd) – OAM
Mr Brian Thompson – OAM
Mr Maurice Fuller – OAM
Mr Geoffrey King – OAM
Monday 29 January 2018