At the recent Surf Life Saving NSW Annual General Meeting, five long-serving volunteer surf lifesavers were elevated to the distinguished position of NSW Life Member.
Alan Parsons from Bellambi SLSC and Glenn Langley from Newport SLSC were honoured alongside Grahame Lott from Merewether SLSC, Steve Jones from Nowra-Culburra SLSC and Malcolm Flew from Cape Hawke SLSC
The five inductees from across NSW have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the Surf Life Saving movement as lifesavers, competitors, coaches, and administrators.
“Being awarded with a life membership is a very significant achievement. I would like to congratulate Steve, Alan, Glenn, Grahame and Malcolm for their achievements and acknowledge their continuing contribution to Surf Life Saving,” said SLSNSW President George Shales.
Surf Life Saving NSW 2019/20 Life Member Inductees
Stephan Jones (Nowra - Culburra SLSC - South Coast Branch)
Steve Jones has been a patrolling member since 1980 and has made an incredible contribution to Surf Life Saving and to the Illawarra and South Coast branches over the past 41 years.
Steve is one of the few people who can lay claim to establishing a Surf Life Saving club. As a young police officer in Scarborough in the 1970s, he saw a need for increased beach safety and education in his community. He set about rallying community members, the council and commercial partners to support his initiative to re-establish Scarborough SLSC. His success was a truly remarkable achievement.
In 1982 Steve was transferred to Nowra through his work as a police officer. He joined the Nowra-Culburra SLSC and was immediately elected to the position of Club Secretary. He remains a member of Nowra-Culburra SLSC.
At a branch level, Steve held numerous positions including Vice President and then President of the South Coast Branch. He successfully steered the Branch through some difficult and challenging periods. He served on several branch committees including; Finance, Constitution and Life Membership. He has been a Surf Life Saving NSW State Councillor since 2005 – a position he still retains. He won the NSW Administrator of the Year Award at the 2005/06 NSW Awards of Excellence.
Over the past 10 years Steve has successfully lobbied local, state and federal governments for funding to build a new Surf Life Saving South Coast Branch, training, administration and storage facility in Nowra. He has secured a significant amount of funding for this development and is currently awaiting the announcement of an application to the Federal Government for an additional $1.2m in crucial funding.
Steve contributes in excess of 1,000 volunteer hours to Surf Life Saving every year. He is passionate about the role of volunteers in promoting coastal safety. He is the South Coast Branch representative on the Shoalhaven Rescue Committee and the Local Emergency Management Committee.
Steve’s dedication to the Surf Life Saving Movement was recognised at the 2017/18 South Coast Branch Awards where he was awarded Life Membership of the South Coast Branch.
Alan Parsons (Bellambi SLSC - Illawarra Branch)
Alan Parson’s involvement in Surf Life Saving spans five decades. Since joining Bellambi SLSC in 1968, he has made an impressive contribution across many areas. He has moved through many positions with sustained dedication as a patrol member, captain and Club Captain.
Alan was awarded Life Membership of Bellambi SLSC in 1991. He has used his experience in patrolling and administration to assist the Illawarra Branch and Surf Life Saving NSW.
In addition to his patrolling and administration achievements, Alan has been a serious competitor in swimming, rescue board and R&R. After retiring from competition, he took up referee duties and held positions at NSW Interbranch as the Carnival Referee. He was awarded the Australia Sports medal in 2000.
From an administration perspective, Alan has held myriad positions including; Illawarra Branch Competition Director of Board Control, Deputy President, President and was Surf Sports Official of the Year in 2010/11. With Surf Life Saving NSW he has previously held the position of Treasurer and also sat on the Finance and Gear Committee.
Alan is currently a member of the NSW Officials Development Advisors Committee.
Glenn Langley (Newport SLSC - Sydney Northern Beaches Branch)
Glenn Langley has been heavily involved in Surf Life Saving for over 32 years - since signing on for the first time as a member at Newport SLSC in 1987.
Glenn has been a member at Newport, Bilgola and North Narrabeen surf clubs. He has made a significant contribution to the movement at club, branch level and national levels. At a state level, Glenn has held several positions including; Director Member Services, State Duty Officer, Youth Life Saving Advisor. He sat on the Education Panel and before that, the Lifesaving and Education Board.
Glenn remains a passionate member of Newport Surf Life Saving Club and in addition to his regular patrol duties, he supports their Nippers program as an Age Manager. He has personally developed highly innovative water-based education programs for children at Newport SLSC.
Testament to Glenn’s high-level of commitment to Surf Life Saving are his 61 awards – including the Australian Government National Medal for Patrolling Service. Glenn’s awards span multiple activities within the movement including; Sport, Lifesaving and Nippers programs.
Glenn is passionate about developing and mentoring young people who will become the next generation of surf lifesavers. Glenn is an active member of Newport SLSC’s Member Welfare and Support Committee and has previously served as Chief Instructor, Treasurer and Vice-Captain.
Glenn is a previous recipient of the NSW Government’s Premier’s Volunteer Recognition Program – 25 Years Award.
Grahame Lott (Merewether SLSC - Hunter Branch)
Grahame’s involvement began as a member of Merewether SLSC in 1991 where he has remained for the past 28 seasons.
Grahame has made a major contribution to his club and the Hunter Branch. For the past 24 years he has been Gear Steward and since 2013 he has been Director of Surf Sports.
Grahame has also acted as an Official at Branch and State Championships. For the past 18 years he has been a gear steward for Surf Life Saving NSW.
Grahame is passionate about Surf Sports and regularly attends Branch, Country, Interbranch and Sate Carnivals for SLSNSW, transporting equipment and supervising beach set-up for the professional running of successful carnivals. He has also previously coached Beach, R&R and March Past.
Grahame has achieved life membership of Merewether SLSC and the Hunter Branch – Juniors and Seniors.
Malcolm Flew (Cape Hawke SLSC - Lower North Coast Branch)
Malcolm Flew became a member of Cape Hawke SLSC in 1990 and since then has given 29 years of sustained and dedicated service.
At a club level he has patrolled for 25 years and has been a Patrol Captain for eight years. He was Club President of Cape Hawke SLSC for four years, followed by 11 years as Treasurer and Director of Finance.
Malcolm was awarded Life Membership of Cape Hawke SLSC in 2007 and received the National Medal for Service to Surf Life Saving in 2014. He was also an active member of the Building Committee which was active between 2007 and 2014 during the planning, funding and building of the new Cape Hawke Surf Life Saving Club which opened in 2014.
At a branch level with Surf Life Saving Lower North Coast, Malcolm was Club Delegate for four years and was involved in the formation of a successful support operations team and participated as a RWC (jetski) operator for 11 years. He was awarded Life Membership of the Lower North Coast Branch in 2009.
Malcolm has been heavily involved in education as a Training Officer in Bronze Medallion, IRB and Advanced Resuscitation since 1996. He has been an assessor in Beach Management and IRB since 2000. He was awarded a 15 Year Assessing Certificate in 2012.
Malcolm’s most significant contribution to the Surf Life Saving movement has been as a Surf Sports Official at all levels from Branch to World Championships – particularly in IRB and Power Craft. He has achieved a distinguished record of service as a Surf Official over a 15-year period.
Malcolm was awarded a 15 Year Officiating Service Certificate in 2012 and was made a Senior Surf Official in 2018. His considerable Surf Sports experience has seen him being appointed as a referee at consecutive World Championships in France, The Netherlands and South Africa.
Friday 8 November 2019