For over 20 years, Bilgola’s Nigel Penn has been a valued and respected member of the lifesaving family having made contributions in a diverse range of areas across Club, Branch, State and National level.
He now has one more honour to add to his impressive resume after he was awarded the 2018 Presidents Medal at the Awards of Excellence in Sydney last weekend.
And it came as a total surprise for the popular surf lifesaver.
“It’s a very humbling experience as I had no idea this was coming, it’s fantastic,” said Mr Penn.
“I see this award as for all my colleagues and for those who patrol the beaches. I do what I do because I absolutely love it.
“To me surf lifesaving is about the passion, the community, looking after the public and giving something back to those who give us so much,” he said.
The current vice president was made a Life Member of Bilgola earlier this year, and after obtaining his Bronze Medallion, has served in many positions including both Club Captain and IRB Captain as well as contributing to the education side of surf lifesaving.
He is an accredited surf sports official performing a variety of roles particularly as a powercraft coordinator and in water safety.
Nigel has a passion for IRB racing and is one of the more knowledgeable experts on the circuit.
He has been Championship Referee at the NSW IRB Championships for the last three seasons, and was also appointed Deputy Referee at the most recent Australian IRB Titles and at Interstate.
The 2018 SLSNSW Awards of Excellence are proudly supported by Port Authority of New South Wales with almost 400 of Surf Life Saving’s most outstanding lifesavers, athletes, educators, coaches, and administrators from around the state gathering at Dockside, Cockle Bay to celebrate the season that was.
For a full list of all the winners, and to see photographs from the night, please visit the SLSNSW Awards of Excellence Event Page or our social media channels
Wednesday 29 August 2018