A group of Batemans Bay lifesavers, who supported the community throughout the summer's bushfires, have been named the state's Services Team of the Year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Saturday, Batemans Bay Surf Lifesaving Club took out Services Team of the Year at the 2020 Surf Life Saving NSW Awards of Excellence.
The team consists of Anthony Bellette, Ken Bellette, Deb Bellette, Kate Fetterplace, Pete Fetterplace, Ali Ryan, Jess Guthrie, Tayla Wallace, Karen Wallace, Lexus Knight.
The awards celebrated the outstanding achievements of volunteer surf lifesavers across surf sports, education, administration, membership and lifesaving, and were hosted virtually this year due to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.
The top efforts of 129 surf lifesaving clubs in NSW were recognised.
The Batemans Bay Bushfire Response team showed volunteerism beyond their role as surf lifesavers.
When fire cut off Malua Bay on New Year's Eve, more than 2,500 people took refuge at the Batemans Bay Surf Life saving Club which acted as an emergency evacuation centre.
Lifesavers came together to provide shelter, food and first aid support.
The clubhouse then continued to be used as a community hub for the next 10 days with members continuing to provide support.
"During their darkest hours as their own safety was at risk, the team managed ember attacks, watched for spot fires, provided medical support and evacuated people from the clubhouse to the beach as buildings nearby caught fire," awards presenter Georgie Rowe said.
"It was perhaps the toughest period their club and town has ever faced.
"What this team achieved with limited resources, no power and no phones for over a week is nothing short of remarkable."
Also winning a state award of excellence was Bermagui's Will Vaughan-Smith.
He was named Lifeguard of the Year for his effort assisting with evacuations and communications at Bermagui and Merimbula during the summer's bushfires.
Mr Vaughan-Smith is a senior lifeguard employed by the Bega Valley Shire Council as well as a volunteer lifesaver at Bermagui Surf Life Saving Club.
