National Medals for Dedicated NSW Lifesavers
Surf Life Saving NSW would like to congratulate a host of 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, 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.
“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 80,000 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 52 are six members from NSW receiving 2nd Clasps for 35 years of service, led by former SLSNSW Vice President, John Restuccia OAM (Maroubra SLSC).
Clubmate, Michael Gray was also honoured with a 2nd Clasp, as was Paul Johnson (Bronte SLSC), Peter Brown (Dixon Park SLSC), Darren Palmer (North Bondi SLSC), and Bruce Kejda (Shellharbour SLSC).
SLS SNB Branch recipients include:
National Medal – 1st Clasp (25 Years)
Warren Young OAM – Avalon Beach SLSC
National Medal (15 Years)
Robert Hopton – Avalon Beach SLSC
Richard Cole – Avalon Beach SLSC
Geoffrey Ward – Avalon Beach SLSC
Peter Brennan – Avalon Beach SLSC
Jeffrey Nesbitt – Avalon Beach SLSC
William Elliott – Avalon Beach SLSC
Colin Campbell – Avalon Beach SLSC
Nicholas Wood – Avalon Beach SLSC
Michael Stanley-Jones – Avalon Beach SLSC
Roland Luke – Avalon Beach SLSC
Tim Hixson – Avalon Beach SLSC
Mark Heffernan – Avalon Beach SLSC
Jason Brown – Avalon Beach SLSC
Romilly Madew – Bilgola SLSC
Peter Fenley – Bilgola SLSC
Levi Broughton-Rouse – Bilgola SLSC
Robert Farr – Bilgola SLSC
Andrea Whittet – Bilgola SLSC
Bruce Scheffers – Bilgola SLSC
Geoff Raper – Bilgola SLSC
Craig Poppleton – Bilgola SLSC
John Lawson – Bilgola SLSC
David Gillard – Bilgola SLSC
Greg Franks – Bilgola SLSC
Louise Edgley – Bilgola SLSC
David Edgley – Bilgola SLSC
Nigel Penn – Bilgola SLSC
Jodie Trim – Collaroy SLSC
Allen Lakeman – Dee Why SLSC
Timothy Cuthbert – Manly LSC
Michael Studden – Manly LSC
Robin Barham – Manly LSC
Mark Fletcher – Newport SLSC
Benjamin Matthews – Newport SLSC
Andrew Thomson-Ko – Newport SLSC
Gordon Cockburn – North Narrabeen SLSC
Benjamin Neighbour – Palm Beach SLSC
Ian Johnston – Queenscliff SLSC
Talia Field – Queenscliff SLSC
Kevin Harris PSM – Queenscliff SLSC
Robert McNamara – Queenscliff SLSC
Garth Hickey – Queenscliff SLSC
Peter Shapcott – South Narrabeen SLSC
Troy Stephen – South Narrabeen SLSC
