Surf Life Saving NSW would like to congratulate the 70 surf lifesavers who have been awarded the National Medal, as well as First Clasps, Second Clasps and Third Clasps for their sustained service and commitment to surf lifesaving.
Established in 1975 as a military recognition award, the National Medal has since branched out into government and voluntary organisations and is now Australia’s most awarded civil medal.
The National Medal is awarded to individuals on behalf of the Governor-General of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and recognises long and diligent service in organisations that are dedicated to protecting life and property at a degree of risk to their members.
National Medals can also be awarded to those who risk their lives or safety to protect or assist the community in enforcement of the law or in times of emergency or natural disaster.
“On behalf of our organisation I would like to congratulate the NSW recipients of this honour,” said Surf Life Saving NSW President, George Shales OAM.
“We are very lucky as a gazetted emergency service to be flagged by more than 76,000 dedicated and passionate members, so to see so many of them honoured in this way is a testament to their commitment to the movement and their character as individuals.”
Heading the list of those honoured is Paul Johnston (North Avoca SLSC) who receives his Third Clasp for 45 years of service, with Michael Pontefract (Evans Head SLSC), Gerald Stephenson (North Bondi SLSC) and Robert Alan Wright (Woolgoolga SLSC) all receiving Second Clasps for 35 years of service.
Surf Life Saving NSW volunteers with a minimum of 30 patrolling hours over a minimum period of 15 seasons, since September 18, 1986, are eligible for the National Medal.
ALL NATIONAL MEDAL RECIPIENTS
National Medal – Third Clasp (45 years’ service)
- Paul Johnston, North Avoca SLSC
National Medal – Second Clasp (35 years’ service)
- Michael Pontefract, Evans Head-Casino SLSC
- Gerald Stephenson, North Bondi SLSC
- Robert Alan Wright, Woolgoolga SLSC
National Medal – First Clasp (25 years’ service)
- Steven Faddy, Bilgola SLSC
- Ross Blowers, Black Head SLSC
- Gary Pettigrove, Broulee Surfers SLSC
- Greg Brown, Cape Hawke SLSC
- John Restuccia, Maroubra SLSC
- Steven Chesher, Maroubra SLSC
- Patricia Powell, Pacific Palms SLSC
- Garry Fox, Queenscliff SLSC
National Medal (15 years’ service)
- Benjamin Bowcock, Australian Lifeguard Service
- Terry Barber, Avalon Beach SLSC
- Gregory Williams, Birubi Point SLSC
- Susan Hume, Birubi Point SLSC
- Dennis Hume, Birubi Point SLSC
- Eric Gatehouse, Birubi Point SLSC
- Donald Shaw, Birubi Point SLSC
- Graeme Chamberlain, Birubi Point SLSC
- Wayne Anderson, Birubi Point SLSC
- Michael Cross, Black Head SLSC
- Donna Godwin, Bondi Surf Bathers LSC
- Matthew Lloyd, Bungan Beach SLSC
- Peter Pearce, Burning Palms SLSC
- Nathan De Rooy, Cape Hawke SLSC
- David Jenkins, Coogee SLSC
- Rob Gibellini, Coogee SLSC
- Gary Warner, Elouera SLSC
- Rod Enright, Elouera SLSC
- Jeff Reece, Elouera SLSC
- Mark Dunkley, Fingal Beach SLSC
- Robert Ford, Garie SLSC
- Robert Glasson, Garie SLSC
- Corey Myers, MacMasters Beach SLSC
- Victoria O’Halloran, Manly LSC
- Lachlan Pritchard, Maroubra SLSC
- Jake McDonald, Maroubra SLSC
- Tresne Chesher, Maroubra SLSC
- Robert Stokes, Mona Vale SLSC
- Eli Ball, Narrabeen Beach SLSC
- Graeme Donnet, North Avoca SLSC
- Drew Lambert, North Bondi SLSC
- Melanie Thomas, North Bondi SLSC
- Martin Fulton, North Cronulla SLSC
- Amanda Duran, North Cronulla SLSC
- Melissa Thomas, North Cronulla SLSC
- Malcolm Peake, North Steyne SLSC Inc.
- Richard Grimmond, Ocean Beach SLSC
- Paul Martin, Pacific Palms SLSC
- Georgina Buttel, Pacific Palms SLSC
- Andrew Townsend, Queenscliff SLSC
- Sarah Lesleigh Tisdell, Sawtell SLSC
- John Park, South Maroubra SLSC
- Matthew Engel, South Maroubra SLSC
- Simon Torsellini, South Maroubra SLSC
- Michael Renie , South Narrabeen SLSC
- Ken Passmore, South Narrabeen SLSC
- Roger Dail Shahani, South Narrabeen SLSC
- Stephen Angus Martin, South Narrabeen SLSC
- Rebecca Mitchell, South West Rocks SLSC
- Derek Stack, Terrigal SLSC
- Justin Kaeser, Terrigal SLSC
- Jill Heaton, Terrigal SLSC
- Nigel Heaton, Terrigal SLSC
- Jacqueline Donadel, Toowoon Bay SLSC
- Mei-Ling Venning, Toowoon Bay SLSC
- Kane Treloar, Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter
- Andrew Pearce, Whale Beach SLSC
- Kirt Mavin, Woolgoolga SLSC
Thursday 1 September 2022