You won’t see Stephen Strange on patrol between the red and yellow flags any more, but that doesn’t mean the surf lifesaving veteran has lost his passion for the community organisation.
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You’ll still find the 71-year-old, from Minnamurra, working behind the scenes and regularly visiting the surf club he’s been a member of for more than 40 years.
Mr Strange’s service to surf lifesaving, which spans decades and multiple tiers of the organisation, has seen him awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
The retiree described the accolade as “a real surprise”.
“It certainly is an honour to be recognised,” he said.
Mr Strange completed his bronze medallion in 1977 and began patrolling as a lifesaver at the Burning Palms surf club the same year. He is a life member of the Royal National Park-based club.
He also holds life membership with Surf Life Saving Australia, Surf Life Saving NSW and Surf Life Saving Sydney, and has held a number of roles with the International Life Saving Federation.
Mr Strange said he was “a bit too long in the tooth” to still be on patrol but had maintained links with Burning Palms and two nearby clubs, Garie and Era.
“That passion is still there. In fact, I still work behind the scenes for the state and national levels of the association, doing work on the carnival side of things,” he said.
Stephen Strange’s surf lifesaving achievements
International Life Saving Federation
- Results Coordinator, International Lifesaving Pool/Ocean Championships (Adelaide), 2012.
- Referee Steward, Lifesaving Competition, World Games Taiwan, 2009.
- Referee Steward, Pool, International Lifesaving Pool/Ocean Championships (Lorne), 2006.
- Official, International Lifesaving Pool/Ocean Championships (Manly), 2000.
- Recipient, Certificate of Merit, 2000.
Surf Life Saving Australia
- Chief/Referee Steward, Australian Championships, since 1988.
- Member, Surf Sports Technical Committee, 2007-2015.
- Member, Australian Championship Executive Advisers Committee - Computer Results, 2000-2009.
- Life Member, 2009.
Surf Life Saving New South Wales
- Referee Steward, State Championships, since 1988.
- Convenor, Constitution Committee, 2007-2017.
- Member, Constitution Committee, 1991-2017.
- Member, Finance Committee, 1994-1997.
- Executive Advisor, 1995-1999.
- Life Member, 2001.
Surf Life Saving Sydney
- Member, Board of Control, since 1979.
- Secretary, Board of Control, 1979-1983.
- Delegate to Surf Life Saving New South Wales, 1984-1992.
- Branch Secretary, 1984-1992.
- Public Officer, 1986-2002.
- Royal National Park District Supervisor, 1987-1990.
- Convenor, Constitution Committee, 1992-1996.
- Member, Constitution Committee, 1983-2014.
- Points Recorder, 1993-2011.
- Life Member, 1996.
- State Administrator of the Year, 1998.
Burning Palms Surf Life Saving Club
- Delegate to Surf Life Saving Sydney, 1978-1993.
- Secretary, 1979-1986.
- Assistant Secretary, 1978-1979.
- Chief Instructor, 1978-1980.
- Patrol Captain, 1978-1994.
- Member, Building Committee, 1977-1981.
- Member, Patrol Rules Committee, 1977-1980.
- House Captain, 1977-1981.
- Surf Life Saver, since 1977.
- Life Member, 1995.
Awards and recognition includes:
- Australian Sports Medal, 2000.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
