HE never expected recognition, never chased medals and never stopped answering the call. But after nearly two decades on the water, the man many locals already trust with their lives has received one of Australia’s highest emergency service honours.
Southern Peninsula Rescue Squadron (SPRS) veteran Tony Marchesani has been awarded the Emergency Services Medal as part of the 2026 Australia Day Honours, recognising nearly 19 years of distinguished service in marine search and rescue.
Marchesani, who has 2500 hours as master of the search and rescue vessel, has been involved in more than 600 operations across Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait.
Along the way, he has provided direction, mentoring and hands-on training to more than 200 volunteers, strengthening rescue capability across the southern peninsula.
Reflecting on how his volunteering journey began, Marchesani said, “I wanted to do something to help the community”.
“People like my grandmother would always say to me, ‘if you can help people, or if people need help and you’re able to help them, you should help them’.”
Speaking about the award, Marchesani admitted it came as a surprise but was “proud and honoured”.
“We don’t do this for the rewards because it’s a good community down here and we want to help them.”
SPRS volunteers described the honour as a shared achievement, acknowledging Marchesani’s leadership, calm under pressure and commitment to community safety.
Among the many rescues that stand out was a 2016 operation in which three people were found clinging to a channel marker after their jet ski sank. All were suffering early hypothermia. With minimal time to sustain life, the SPRS Master successfully rescued the trio and returned them to shore where paramedics were waiting.
In 2022, Marchesani led a night-time search after four teenagers using inflatable paddleboards failed to return to Rosebud Beach. Searching for hours in darkness, he and a team of volunteers located the teens on Swan Island, more than 20 kilometres from where they began, reuniting them with anxious parents.
His work has also extended beyond emergency response. In 2025, SPRS hosted 30 disadvantaged children from a Portsea camp, delivering an on-water program focused on survival skills, resilience, mental fortitude and practical challenges.
Marchesani’s service spans multiple agencies, including 13 years with Sorrento SES, where he has held roles such as helicopter search and rescue crew member, marine search and rescue training officer and deputy controller.
For Marchesani, the measure of success remains unchanged: “Any outcome that people go home safely, that’s a good outcome.”
First published in the Mornington News – 3 February 2026