MORNINGTON Peninsula lifesavers have been recognised in Life Saving Victoria’s 2021 excellence awards.
LSV chief executive officer Catherine Greaves applauded their commitment to lifesaving.
Life Saver of the Year Chris Perrott, of Portsea Surf Life Saving Club, made an “outstanding contribution to lifesaving as a patrolling lifesaver”. This award remembers John Wishart, of Sorrento-Portsea SLSC, who was taken by a shark off Portsea in 1956.
Youth Lifesaver of the Year Andrew May, also of Portsea SLSC, made an “outstanding contribution to the delivery of lifesaving frontline services”. May is the club’s director of general and operation committees, chief instructor of bronze medallion camps, chief of water safety for the Portsea Swim Classic and Pier 2 Perignon swim events, as well as lifesaving operations council representative and patrol captain.
The Outstanding Achievement of the Year award went to Point Leo SLSC’s Lion’s Den youth program, which aims to bridge the gap between surf rescue certificate and bronze medallion qualifications. This helps to increase participation and engagement of the club’s 14-and-15-year-old members. It “created a sense of excitement, anticipation, and a true pathway for youth”.
The Mike Martin AM Champion Junior Lifesaver award went to Remme Mason, of Mornington LSC.
Emerging Official of the Year Georgia Cassell Ashton, of Point Leo SLSC, has made an “impressive mark on competitions using her tenacity to make decisions about competitions and races to help keep events running”.
Official of the Year, Kaya Cook, of Mount Martha LSC, has held her surf official accreditation since 2015 and acts as chief judge and carnival referee. She trains and mentors officials and this season officiated at many carnivals, including the state championships in challenging conditions.
The Mount Martha and Portsea clubs won Administration Club of the Year which recognises outstanding achievements in administration.
Beach Lifeguard of the Year Sarah McNamara made an outstanding contribution to the delivery and development of a professional lifeguard service across Victoria and especially on the Mornington Peninsula.
State Services Long Service Awards went to Ray Webb (Gunnamatta), 10 years, and Hamish McKendrick (Portsea) and Donna Watt (Gunnamatta), five years.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 10 August 2021
