ON Saturday, August 10 at the Life Saving Victoria Awards of Excellence held at the Sofitel on Collins, Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club (WBSLSC) won the prestigious Victorian Rescue of the Year.
This award aims to recognise exceptional rescues performed and first aid treatments administered, which are deemed to be over and above the normal patrol duties and showcase excellence in lifesaving training, skills and procedures.
On January 24, WBSLSC lifeguards, other Club members and emergency service workers attended a call-out at Forrest Caves on Phillip Island. Despite their best efforts the incident resulted in the tragic loss of four lives.
WBSLSC president Jason Close said whilst our efforts at the Forrest Caves incident did not achieve the results we wanted, our team did everything they were trained to do, worked together with other emergency services, and never gave up.
“Through this award we were acknowledged for our professionalism, and our response that went above and beyond what a normal life saving situation would deal with.
“In the hours, days and weeks after the incident we looked after each other. These sorts of events, they have a pretty profound impact on first responders – we were quickly able to debrief and organise counselling for everyone involved to ensure their well-being was looked after.”
Jason was part of the team that accepted the award on Saturday night. Sharing “it was a huge honour for our Club to win such a prestigious award, although also a bittersweet experience given the impact that the Forrest Caves tragedy has had on the family and friends of those who lost their lives, as well as the effect it has had on Club members, other emergency services and the local community,” said Jason. “Our hearts still go out to those that lost their loved ones.”
“These awards are very hard to win and to even be a nominee or finalist means our members are up there with the best in the state.”
Throughout the evening WBSLSC member Bonny Dickie won the Victorian Education Trainer of the Year Award. Bonny is from San Remo and grew up doing Nippers with WBSLSC, then gained all her awards as a life saver and has dedicated her last few years to training others.
“Our Club is very proud of Bonny Dickie being named the Victorian Education Instructor of the Year. Bonny is a very deserving winner. It is a huge honour and is a great reflection on the amazing work Bonny puts in training others through Lifesaving Victoria’s education programs on beach safety, lifesaving skills and first aid.”
The WBSLSC also recognised Ellie Ryan, a finalist in the Lifesaver of the Year (Wishart Memorial Medal) and Alan 'AquaMole' Hailes, a nominee in the Lifesaver of the Year (Wishart Memorial Medal) as well as Riley Fyffe, a finalist in the Lifeguard of the Year Award.
