Life saving leaders recognised by Australia Day honours

Leading life saving executives and volunteers were recognised in the annual Australia Day Awards announced this week.

Former Royal Life Saving Society Western Australia Chief Executive Alex McKenzie received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to lifesaving and drowning prevention.

McKenzie served the water safety community for many years, as the National Director, Royal Life Saving Society Australia from 1998 to 2008, Executive Director of Royal Life Saving Society WA from 1991 to 2011, and Chief Executive of Royal Life Saving Society WA from 2012 until his retirement 2015.

Acknowledging his recognition, a statement from Royal Life Saving Society WA explained “Mr McKenzie has also been an active supporter of the Leisure Institute of Western Australia; and an advocate or the hugely successful Watch Around Water and Keep Watch programs, which have both seen a big reduction in the drowning rate in WA over the past 20 years.

“He was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Leisure Institute of WA in 2014, and became a Life Member of the Royal Life Saving Society WA in 2009.”

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) saw its President Graham Ford, Deputy President Ralph Devlin and Board Director Tony Haven each made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for their services to surf lifesaving.

Ford has served as the President of SLSA since 2010 and has been a member of the Bronte SLSC for more than 30 years. Such is his dedication to surf lifesaving, he spent today on patrol with his local club.

Welcoming his recognition, Ford stated “this is very humbling, but a great honour … I get a lot out of giving back to the community through surf lifesaving so this really means a lot.

“I am very lucky to have great support from my family so an award like this really is as much for them. Surf Lifesaving is a huge part of our lives. It really is a family commitment.”

Ford, who is also the President of the International Life Saving Federation, was recognised for his significant service to surf lifesaving and the community through a range of leadership roles at the national and international level.

Ralph Devlin was recognised for his significant service to surf lifesaving, particularly as an administrator, and to the law. He is a Queens Counsel, an SLSA Life Member and has been President of Surf Life Saving Queensland since 2011.

Tony Haven was recognised for his significant service to surf lifesaving, particularly in New South Wales, through a range of roles, and to the community.

Haven is the President of SLSNSW and has been involved with Surf Life Saving since 1965.

Image shows Alex McKenzie. Courtesy of Royal Life Saving Society WA.

26th January 2016 - ROD LAVER, GRAHAM FORD AND DAVID GALLOP RECOGNISED IN AUSTRALIAN DAY HONOURS

26th January 2016 - CULTURAL FIGURES AND PHILANTHROPISTS RECOGNISED IN AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS

11th November 2015 - HUNDREDS MORE WA CHILDREN EXPECTED TO GAIN LIFESAVING BRONZE MEDALLION

9th November 2015 - SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTRALIA MEMBERS RECEIVE INTERNATIONAL ACCOLADES

8th January 2015 - CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHANGE AT RLSSWA AS PETER LEAVERSUCH REPLACES ALEX MCKENZIE