GUNNAMATTA Surf Life Saving Club’s Jill Douglas has been awarded a Life Saving Victoria national medal recognising her 15 years of dedicated service.
The award, which is part of Australia’s national honours system, acknowledges those who “risk their lives to protect or assist the community in enforcement of law or in times of emergency or natural disaster”. Recipients must have served a minimum of 30 patrol hours per year over 15 years to be eligible for the medal.
Douglas, who is one of the club trainers and assessors and the junior bronze lifesaver camp coordinator, expressed her commitment to volunteering was not about accolades but “changing lives”.
“I love training the young kids that come into the club,” she said. “I see them sort of coming all very nervous, a bit tentative, and by the end of it they really make solid friendships.”
Douglas teaches new skills to a group of about 24 young people aged over 14. Although a Mont Albert North resident, her interest in lifesaving was sparked after her daughters were involved in nippers on the peninsula and noticed there was also an adult’s bronze camp. She has not looked back since, noting she particularly loved that all club members “looked after everyone”. “Some of my friends saw me involved, so they decided they would also do their bronze medallion together with their children, so I have an amazing patrol group which makes patrolling an enjoyable activity.” Two of Douglas’ daughters went on to become lifeguards with her 21-year-old still actively involved in patrolling along the peninsula.
Speaking of the award, she said “It’s absolute honour,” but was quick to recognise other dedicated and long-serving volunteers at the club including Ray Webb who has racked up 58 years as an active lifesaver with Gunnamatta, and the club’s president Donna Watt having notched up 33 years’ service.
Gunnamatta Surf Life Saving Club will be celebrating its 60th anniversary next year with some of the original volunteer members still involved in the club today. “Gunnamatta is fortunate to have over 100 volunteer patrollers in this current summer season, who contribute to the depth of our five experienced patrolling teams including 19 active members,” club secretary Barry Williams, who also congratulated Douglas, said. “The club has a proud history of serving the beach going public with over 5200 rescues by volunteer lifesavers since the inception of the club.”
First published in the Mornington News – 25 February 2025
