Celebrating Hawkes Bay’s Surf Life Saving volunteers

Some of Hawkes Bays most dedicated volunteer Surf Lifeguards are being recognised in the Hawkes Bay Awards of Excellence.

Recipients have been announced for the Central Region Service Award, Distinguished Service Award and Life Memberships for the 2019-2020 season. Finalists for the lifeguarding and sports awards will be revealed soon.

COVID-19 restrictions meant the Awards of Excellence ceremony to acknowledge the members of Hawkes Bays Surf Life Saving New Zealand clubs could not go ahead on May 24.

The Service Awards acknowledge members who have given outstanding service to Surf Life Saving over a period of years.

Distinguished Service Awards recognise those who have continued to give outstanding service.

Life Memberships are presented to those who have provided exemplary service.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Central Region club support officer Debbie Moodie says the Hawkes Bay recipients are well deserving.

The recipients are being recognised for a variety of roles across their clubs such as Surf Lifeguards, competitors, committee members and for being part of the Emergency Call Out Squad, as well as their contribution to the Junior Surf Programme and for holding official roles regionally, nationally and internationally.

Graeme Ward is being made a Life Member following his 51 years of involvement in Surf Life Saving.

“He’s been a member at three clubs and has held various roles within those clubs,” Debbie says. “He is now with Waimarama Surf Life Saving Club and has a strong focus being an official at local, regional and national competitions.”

Debbie says members like Graeme and those being acknowledged with service awards are vital to the smooth running of clubs within the Hawkes Bay region and ensuring that Kiwis return safely from a day at the beach.

The annual regional awards are held in Surf Life Saving New Zealand areas throughout the country, culminating with the National Awards of Excellence to be held later this year.

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Central Region Hawkes Bay Awards of Excellence 2020
Service Award, Distinguished Award and Life Membership recipients:

Service Awards     

Kevin Russell - Westshore
Taylor Dick - Westshore
Tony Pattison - Waimarama

Distinguished Service Awards

Trina Wills - Westshore

Life Membership

Graeme Ward - Waimarama

For more information, please contact:

Melanie Louden
Media and Communications Manager
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
021 757 433
melanie.louden@surflifesaving.org.nz