Yesterday, the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR, joined members of the National Search and Rescue (SAR) Council in Adelaide to present the 2011 Australian SAR Award.
The award was presented to Wayne McDermott, Tyrone Becker and Lincoln Wilson, at a dinner hosted by South Australia Police.
The award recognises their outstanding contribution to search and rescue in rescuing Clifford Thurley and his son-in-law Michael Veale from the sea near Strahan, Tasmania on 14 June 2011.
Describing the men’s actions, Rear Admiral Scarce commended “not only their actions in performing the rescue but also in supporting the survivors until they were returned to a place of safety.
This level of concern epitomises the best in the Australian character and in human nature.”
Since 1996, presentation of the Australian SAR Award has been aimed at providing recognition to those involved in search and rescue in Australia and also to raise community awareness of their efforts.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) coordinates the nominations and voting process for the award.
In 2010, the award went to Bob Kent and David Dodge who acted selflessly to assist two men whose vessel had capsized near Esperance.