Clubbies receive QSM in birthday honours list

Surf Life Saving New Zealand would like to congratulate two club members who received Queen's Service Medals (QSM) in yesterday's Queen's Birthday Honours for services to the community.

They are SLSNZ Board member and proud Brighton clubbie Colin Weatherall and Maranui Surf Life Saving Club Life Member Francie Russell, JP.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand chairman Geoff Hamilton says on behalf of the Board, his fellow members were all very pleased to see Colin recognised for the years of dedicated service to the Dunedin community and the Surf Life Saving movement. "I personally have often relied on your knowledge, experience and dedication which you have so willingly shared with others. Surf Life Saving in New Zealand has benefited enormously from your passionate involvement and we thank you greatly for this," he says.

Colin says he was "truly humbled" to receive the Honour and a large part of him accepting it was its value to Surf Life Saving New Zealand and because of the support and passion of his fellow clubbies.

Mr Weatherall says he is looking forward to his on-going involvement with Surf Life Saving and the award doesn't mean he will stop, but rather turn things up another notch.

Francie Russell says she is "chuffed" to receive her QSM. She is a Life Member of Maranui and has been the club's Treasurer since 1988. "I've been through the rise and fall and rise again and now it's one of the strongest clubs in the country. I'm terribly proud of what Maranui has achieved," she says.

Her family has been part of the club for a very long time and she's very proud of her fellow club members, she says. "Nobody does this unless they have the right people around them."

Congratulations to both Colin and Francie on their outstanding achievements.

For a full list of recipients, visit http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/node/1290

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Honeybone, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ
Phone 09 303 9335 or 0276 488 823
Email lisa.honeybone@surflifesaving.org.nz