Surf Life Saving NSW members were among those recognised for their outstanding contributions to the community in the Queen’s Birthday Honours announced yesterday.


“On behalf of Surf Life Saving NSW, I would like to congratulate Greg Allum, Cyril Baldock, George Shales, Hugh Small and John Vaughan for their outstanding service, achievement and recognition in yesterday’s Queen’s Birthday Honours,” said SLSNSW CEO Steven Pearce AFSM.



“Surf Life Saving’s members are our greatest asset. Members who received awards in the Queen’s Birthday Honours are outstanding members of the community.



“To be invested with an Order of Australia Medal or a Member of the Order of Australia Award is a significant achievement and reflects an exemplary contribution to the community. It is fitting recognition for our members who have gone above and beyond in their service.



“I would like to thank all our members who were recognised yesterday for their many years of service to Surf Life Saving and to protecting lives on the NSW coastline. As an organisation, we are very proud of their many outstanding achievements,” said Steven Pearce.     



Member (AM) In the General Division of the Order of Australia




Greg Allum AM



Greg Allum AM - For significant service to surf lifesaving, to international federations and to the community


Greg Allum is a member of Wanda Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) and Cronulla SLSC and has been a member of the International Life Saving Federation (ILS), Sports Commission and Committees since 1996.



At an international-level, Greg was a member of the ILS Event Management Committee - ILS World Championships in 2018, 2016, 2014 and 2012. His roles included operations, technical advisor and Ocean Events Chair of Competitions. He is responsible for the ILS Technical Manuals and Competition Rules. He is joint Architect and Custodian of the International Surf Rescue Challenge.



At a national-level, Greg was Technical Advisor, Surf Life Saving Australia from 2003 to 2020. Sport Technical Advisor, Surf Life Saving New South Wales from 2005 to 2018. He was Sport Technical Advisor, Surf Life Saving Sydney, from 2012 to 2020.



Greg was a Board Member with Life Saving Chaplaincy between 2010 and 2016 and Patron from 2016 to 2020.



Greg was inducted into the International Lifesaving Federation Hall of Fame (Sport) in 2019. He received the Director of Surf Sports Award from Surf Life Saving Australia in 2018 and became a Grand Knight of the International Life Saving Federation in 2013.



Greg’s other achievements include being inducted in the University of New South Wales Sporting Hall of Fame in 2012 and receiving an Outstanding Official International/National Recognition Award from Surf Life Saving New South Wales in 2009.



Greg has been inducted into the Surf Life Saving Australia Hall of Fame for sport and prior to that, for administration.



At a state, branch and club-level, Greg is a Life Member of Surf Life Saving Sydney, Surf Life Saving NSW and Wanda and Cronulla SLSCs in Sydney.


Order of Australia Medal (OAM) Recipients




Cyril Baldock, 2018 SLSNSW Championships - Credit Richard Black



Cyril Baldock - For service to surf lifesaving


Cyril has been a member of Bondi Surf Bather's Life Saving Club since 1958. He received Life Membership in 1977. He was Club President between 1975 and 1976 and Vice-President, 1967 to 1968, 1974 to 1975, 1977 to 1978 and 1979 to 1980.



Cyril was Bondi Surf Bather's Life Saving Club Captain, 1964 to 1965, 1976 to 1977 and Vice-Captain, 1966 to 1967. He was a Committee Member, 1960 to 1961, 1963 to 1964 and 1965 to 1966.



At a branch-level, Cyril was a Sydney Branch Delegate from 1964 to 1965 and 1965 to 1966; Manager, Bondi Surf Carnival from 1963 to 1964 and 1966 to 1967 and Club Touring Team Manager from 1968 to 1969 and 1971 to 1972.



George Shales



George Shales - For service to surf lifesaving


George Shales is a current member of Coogee and Maroubra Surf Life Saving Clubs. He has been a Surf Life Saving Australia Board Member since 2019 and President of Surf Life Saving New South Wales (SLSNSW) since 2019. He has been Sydney Branch Delegate since 2014 and received Life Membership in 2018. In 2018, George became a Life Member of Surf Life Saving NSW.



At a branch-level, George was President of Surf Life Saving Sydney Branch between 2014 and 2019, Director of Administration between 2009 and 2014 and Support Operations Manager between 2008 and 2013.



George has been a Duty Officer since 1991, an Assessor since 1986 and a patrol Member since 1982. He received Life Membership of Surf Life Saving Sydney in 2012.



George has been a Rescue Boat Skipper and Crew Member in Randwick District Surf Life Saving since 1985. He is a Life Member and recipient of a Long Service Award.



George was Supervisor at Waverley District Surf Life Saving from 1987 to 1990 and Assistant Supervisor between 1986 and 1987.



At North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club, George was a member between 1981 and 1995, Vice-Captain between 1988 and 1989 and Junior Captain between 1986 and 1988.



Hugh Small



Hugh Small - For service to surf lifesaving and to athletics


Hugh Small is a member of Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club where he has been a patrolling member for 40 years.



At a club-level, Hugh was Treasurer from 1994 to 1998 and 2000 to 2002; Assistant Treasurer from 1965 to 1967 and 1993 to 1994; Gear Steward from 1965 to 1966 and Clubhouse Director from 1965 to 1966 and 1968 to 1969.



Hugh became a Life Member in 1994 and was a member of Cudgen Headlands SLSC Old Boys Association between 2000 and 2019.



Hugh was a Competitor at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships in 1966 and the New South Wales Surf Life Saving Championships in 1966 and 1968.



Hugh received the 40 Year National Patrol Service Award from Surf Life Saving Australia.



John Vaughan



John Vaughan - For service to medicine and to surf lifesaving


John Vaughan is a member of Wauchope Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club. He has been a Patrol Captain there since 2016. Since 2009 he has been a volunteer fitness coach for club members, running boot camp sessions three mornings a week to promote preventative health behaviours in his community.



John is a General Practitioner and has been a Member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners since 1986, a Fellow since 1993 and a Fellowship Examiner since 1995.



Michael Hickey



Michael Edward Hickey - For service to veterans and their families and to the community


Michael Hickey has been a member ofTerrigal Surf Life Saving Club since 2009 and is an active patrol member.He has been a member of the Returned Services League (RSL), Rotary and Legacy organisations,dilligently supporting vetrans, their families and the community. He is currently the Personnel Committee Chair of Brisbane Water Legacy. 


Tuesday 9 June 2020