One hundred and five years of rescue experience and still ready to for volunteer duty, National Medal recipients (from left to right). Anthony Porter, Alan Howes, Brian Warburton, Al Morris and Norm Smith.

On Saturday 30 April, five volunteer members of Marine Rescue Central Coast were acknowledged for their years of volunteer community service. Three were presented with a National Medal for fifteen years service and two were presented with clasps for their National Medals twenty-five and thirty-five years service respectively. The National Medal is awarded by the Governor General to members of the community who have rendered at least fifteen years service to specific organisations where the service can be life threatening such Marine Rescue NSW.

Lucy Wicks MP with Cmdr Roger Palmer during National Medal Awards

The honours were presented by Lucy Wicks MP, Member for Robertson on behalf of the Governor General. Lucy Wicks said, “These honours are richly deserved. Each of the three new recipients, Alan Howes, Anthony Porter and Brian Warburton have selflessly served the community on the Central Coast for at least 15 years; it is an honour to pay tribute to their dedication to volunteer Marine Rescue and to the safety of boaters in our area. Al Morris has served a further ten years since receiving his National Medal and has now achieved 25 years service, and Norm Smith has served 20 years since receiving his Medal and has now completed an extraordinary 35 years volunteer service. The awarding of these medals and clasps is to enable the community to say thank you for the services rendered.”