Eight honoured with NSW Maritime Medal
Pictured from left are: Paul Helmore, Norman Grant Snr, Bill Carter (rep. Shoalhaven Marine Rescue Assoc.), Neil McCartney (rep. the late Ron Isaacs), Ports & Waterways Minsiter Joe Tripodi, Matthew O'Grady, Arthur Dreckmeyer, David Johnston
Eight individuals from all over the State were honoured for their outstanding contribution to the maritime community on 2 October.
Eight Maritime Medals were awarded in two categories – Safety and Community – aboard the Tall Ship The James Craig, in a special presentation lunch which also marked the start of the new boating season.
Two men involved in rescuing victims of a Sydney Harbour boating accident received medals for their bravery.
Sydney Ferries crewmen, Matthew O’Grady and Con Sakoulas, were first on the scene rescuing people involved in the collision of the Merinda and the Pam Burridge on Sydney Harbour on March 28, 2007.
They did not think twice before diving into the water to help rescue victims of a horrific boating accident.
Arthur Dreckmeyer, who is 88 years of age and from Forster, was recognised for his 20-year commitment to voluntary marine rescue efforts with a NSW Maritime Safety Medal.
Arthur began volunteering his services in search and rescue with the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol in Forster after a career spent in the merchant marine.
He served as a rescue boat skipper, search master, trainer and fund raiser for the Patrol since 1988.
His enthusiasm was catching, having seen and been instrumental in membership growth from 50 members in the early days, to about 350 now.
Norman Muir Grant (Snr), 80, and also from Forster, was awarded a NSW Maritime Safety Medal for his commitment to providing a search and rescue operation using his own fishing trawler.
Norman was a professional fisherman who for 30 years would drop everything to provide a voluntary rescue service from Forster-Tuncury.
He received no payment for these services, and it was all undertaken at his own risk. In a number of instances, Norman swam to disabled vessels or people in the water to carry out a rescue.
Paul Helmore, of Ulladulla was awarded a NSW Maritime Community Medal for his 45-year commitment to the maritime community on the South Coast.
Paul, who attended the function with his 11-year-old son Eden, is known as a trusted ‘go-to’ man for all things maritime in the local area.
Paul is totally committed to, as well as being intimately involved in, everything that is going on in the Ulladulla maritime community.
David Johnston of Swansea was awarded a NSW Maritime Community Medal for his seven-year voluntary commitment to community maritime projects in the Lake Macquarie area.
David is a retired representative on the Lake Macquarie Aquatic Services Committee, Lake Macquarie Estuary & Coastal Management Committee, and the Boat Owner’s Association Hunter branch.
He was often largely responsible for undertaking administration and advocacy activities for maritime issues in the Lake Macquarie area.
Shoalhaven Marine Rescue was recognised as a group. There are more than 100 dedicated volunteers who make up the Shoalhaven Marine Rescue Association (SMRA) and the Maritime Safety Medal was presented in recognition of their collective efforts in search and rescue on the south coast.
The volunteer marine rescue group has been operating for more than 30 years and has been responsible for saving countless lives and boats at sea.
The group’s core business is to provide marine search and rescue services to the northern part of the Shoalhaven and 15 nautical miles out to sea – from Jervis Bay to Kiama.
The late Ron Isaacs of Lake Cathie was recognised for his 50-year commitment to the NSW maritime community.
Ron first became involved in marine rescue in the 1960s, starting out in the Wollongong/ Coalcliff area, and then later on the North Coast.
He was directly involved as a rescue boat skipper on ten or more rescues and on land he coordinated a number of (seven) mayday situations.
As his health deteriorated Ron became more involved in the organising side of marine rescue, with positions on numerous local and state rescue committee or boards. Ron continued to volunteer his time until he passed away on April 30 last year.
2008 NSW Maritime Medal recipients:
Ron Isaacs, Lake Cathie - Community Medal (posthumous)
50-year commitment to NSW Maritime Community
Paul Helmore, Ulladulla – Community Medal
45-year commitment to maritime community
David Johnston, Swansea – Community Medal
Voluntary commitment to maritime projects
Matthew O’Grady, Bondi – Safety Medal
Rescue effort
Con Sakoulas, Sydney – Safety Medal
Rescue effort
William Dreckmeyer, Forster - Safety Medal
20-year commitment to marine rescue efforts
Shoalhaven Marine Rescue Assoc, Culburra – Safety Medal
30-year search and rescue efforts
Norman Muir Grant, Forster – Safety Medal
30 year commitment to search and rescue operations
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