Surf Life Saving NSW would like to congratulate surf lifesavers who have been awarded the National Medal, as well as Second Clasps and First Clasps for their sustained service and commitment to Surf Life Saving.
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, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC 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.
“The National Medal is a prestigious award, and it always fills me with pride to see a large number of our NSW members among the recipients,” said Surf Life Saving NSW President, Peter Agnew AM.
“We are very lucky as a gazetted emergency service to be supported by 83,000 dedicated and passionate members, and this honour, in a way, is testament to their commitment to the movement and their character as individuals.”
Heading the list of those honoured in Batch 53 is Stephen Leahy OAM from Fingal Beach SLSC who will be honoured with a 2nd Clasp for 35 years’ service to Surf Life Saving, while eight members from NSW will receive their 1st Clasp for 25 years’ service.
Hunter Branch President and Nobbys SLSC member, Henry Scruton ESM headlines that group, alongside Geoffrey Bateman (Mona Vale SLSC), Greg Gillespie (Narrabeen Beach SLSC), Richard Lissenden ESM (North Bondi SLSC), Cheryl Lane (Sawtell SLSC), William Goddard (Shelly Beach SLSC) and Sonia Matiuk and Dave Sheppard (both Bungan Beach SLSC).
NATIONAL MEDAL RECIPIENTS
2nd Clasp – 35 Years Service
Stephen Leahy – Fingal Beach SLSC
1st Clasp – 25 Years Service
Sonia Matiuk – Bungan Beach SLSC
Dave Sheppard – Bungan Beach SLSC
Geoffrey Bateman – Mona Vale SLSC
Greg Gillespie – Narrabeen Beach SLSC
Henry Scruton ESM – Nobbys SLSC
Richard Lissenden ESM – North Bondi SLSC
Cheryl Lane – Sawtell SLSC
William Goddard – Shelly Beach SLSC
15 Years Service
Thomas Nguyen – Bondi SBLSC
Maxwell Serpa Gonzalez – Bondi SBLSC
Geoff Sumner – Bondi SBLSC
James Lawrence – Bronte SLSC
Robert McLellan – Bronte SLSC
Nick Seale – Bronte SLSC
Allan Veness – Broulee Surfers SLSC
Dean Dudley – Bulli SLSC
Raelene Carmichael – Cape Hawke SLSC
Lynn Graham – Cape Hawke SLSC
Gordon Manuel – Clovelly SLSC
Altin Bunaj – Coogee SLSC
Scott Parker – Coogee SLSC
Clive Stiff – Coogee SLSC
Shaleigh Lennox – Cooks Hill SLSC
Phil Anderson – Copacabana SLSC
Michael Stone – Copacabana SLSC
Casandra Barnett – Dixon Park SLSC
Laura Barnett – Dixon Park SLSC
Phillipa Lowe – Fingal Beach SLSC
Shaun Hudson – Garie SLSC
Simon Gaiger – Manly LSC
Mathew Harper – Maroubra SLSC
Darren Marshall – Mona Vale SLSC
Stephen Miles – Mona Vale SLSC
Jason Nicol – Mona Vale SLSC
Paula Tocquer – Mona Vale SLSC
Timothy Woolnough – Mona Vale SLSC
James Wooller – North Avoca SLSC
Carmel Howard – North Curl Curl SLSC
Ross Tillman – North Curl Curl SLSC
David Cowell – North Steyne SLSC
Tonini Falzarano – North Steyne SLSC
Christine Gibbs-Stewart – North Steyne SLSC
Kelvin Giddey – North Wollongong SLSC
David Meredith – North Wollongong SLSC
Kevin Ryan – North Wollongong SLSC
Manuel Schuldt – North Wollongong SLSC
Peter Adlington – Nowra-Culburra SLSC
Jamie Harrison – Port Macquarie SLSC
Norman Kobelke – Port Macquarie SLSC
David Callan – Queenscliff SLSC
Anthony Field – Queenscliff SLSC
Shaun Sursok – Queenscliff SLSC
Peter Singleton – Sawtell SLSC
Thomas Simpson – Shelly Beach SLSC
Daniel Wildi – Shoalhaven Heads SLSC
Patrick Moore – South Maroubra SLSC
Jane Lynch – Taree Old Bar SLSC
Graham Moses – Taree Old Bar SLSC
Andrew Somerville – Taree Old Bar SLSC
Timothy Ryan – Tea Gardens Hawks Nest SLSC
Sean Casey – Terrigal SLSC
Andrew Davison – Terrigal SLSC
Craig Horton – Toowoon Bay SLSC
Michelle Jackson – Toowoon Bay SLSC
Graham Jackson – Toowoon Bay SLSC
Gavin Robinson – Umina SLSC
Neil Dyer – Warriewood SLSC
Tracey Hare-Boyd – Warriewood SLSC
Ted McCartney – Woolgoolga SLSC
Friday 11 July 2025