N AT I O N A L R E S C U E O F T H E M O N T H AWARDS & HONOURS
JANUARY 2015 TOWRADGI SLSC Craig Zulian, Sonia Zulian, Don Allan & Richard Walsh FAIRY MEADOW SLSC Nathan McKnight & Konrad Robertson On 30 January 2015 lifesaver Richard Walsh who was at the time working with Police Rescue informed Craig Zulian that a surfer was caught south of Fairy Meadow SLSC. The surfer, who was fatiguing from treading water for an extended period of time, was placed on the RWC as Craig drove into Wollongong Harbour. The patient was transported by NSW paramedics to Wollongong Hospital and has since made a full recovery. Craig’s skill and experience ultimately saved the life of the surfer along with help from Richard, Sonia, Don, Nathan and Konrad.
FEBRUARY 2015 NORTH NARRABEEN SLSC Bruce Kelly On 13 February 2015 Bruce Kelly was informed that a family was caught in a permanent rip. Bruce paddled out on his surf ski as a rescue board and directed one of the boys to swim across the rip to a sandbank. Bruce then instructed the two younger children to hold on to the foot straps on his surf ski so that he could return them to shore. Once returning the children to shore Bruce re-entered the surf, paddling out to rescue the father. Bruce demonstrated exceptional decision-making and lifesaving skills in rescuing a family in difficulty.
096
MARCH 2015 NORTH BONDI SLSC James Fleetwood, Josh Vernon, Andrew Djernal, Michael Hughes, Sam Mitchell, Emma Starritt, Felicity Pattullo, Daniel Beaver, Victoria Nash, Doug Orr, David Rich, Nicholas Stavrinos and Max Whillas On 7 March 2015 Patrol 9 of North Bondi SLSC performed a major rescue of 15 people from North Bondi Beach in a 3 metre swell where a very strong rip was pulling swimmers out beyond the break. Lifesavers from Patrol 9 demonstrated their lifesaving skills and performed very well in a highly stressful situation. James and Josh rescued the majority of swimmers and surfers, but it was ultimately the teamwork of Patrol 9 that enabled the successful outcome of this rescue mission.
APRIL 2015 EVANS HEAD/CASINO SLSC Avan Christie & Rolan Murcott On 6 April 2015 Club Treasurer Avan Christie rescued four swimmers in two separate incidents. Avan paddled out and rescued an elderly lady and her grandchild who were caught in a rip near the north wall. Within minutes of this first rescue, Avan paddled 500 m out at Airforce Beach to rescue two teenagers caught in a rip. SurfCom was contacted for this second rescue to assist Avan in exiting the water. The quick and courageous action of Avan is admirable and despite not holding a Bronze Medallion, he still risked his own life to save others.
MAY/JUNE 2015 WARRIEWOOD SLSC Bev Tilbury, Russell Lamb and Jen Spencer AVALON BEACH SLSC Kerry McEwan, Kate Munro and Donna Wishart The Avalon Beach Masters Women surfboat crew with Russell Lamb from Warriewood as Sweep were training when a rock fisherman fell onto the rocks and into the water. Bev Tilbury and Kate Munro immediately swam over with a rescue tube. As police and ambulance were called, the IRB was launched by Russell and Kerry while Donna manned the radio. Jen Spencer paddled a rescue board around to assist further. The four lifesavers secured the patient onto a spinal board, stabilised the patient and waited for the ambulance helicopter to arrive. The rescue showcased the combined effort of lifesavers from two clubs.
097