TRAC supervisor wins prestigious Service Medal

19 June 2018

Jeff Collier recognised for a life dedicated to water safety

Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre (TRAC) Supervisor Jeff Collier has been awarded the prestigious Service Medal from the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth Council in recognition of the valuable services he has rendered to society.

Jeff, who manages the aquatic programs at TRAC, also was awarded life membership of the Royal Life Saving Australia NSW branch in recognition of his 20 or more years’ service to the Royal Life Saving Society.

In presenting the awards, Royal Life Saving Regional Manager Jason Phillips said he had only ever seen two or three Service Medals presented in his 24 years with the organisation.

“The Service Medal is based on length of affiliation and lifesaving activity, in terms of education and training,” Mr Phillips said.

“Much of the work Jeff does is purely voluntary, which he does because he has a love for people in the community,” Mr Phillips said.

“We went to Bangladesh as volunteers together a number of years ago to set up a Swim Safe program, as well as a strategy to train the trainers.

“He’s also often conducting CPR refresher courses, training lifeguards and designing innovative swim programs to ensure the people of the Tweed are safe in the water.”

The Royal Life Saving Society aims to lead efforts to reduce drowning and increase swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills. This is achieved through community education programs and managing training and qualifications for the aquatic industry.

Jeff, who teaches CPR on an almost daily basis, said it was very satisfying to know that you were passing on a skill that could save a life.

“It’s nice to be recognised for the years of service because you go on for years and years doing something for the community and just take it as part of your job,” said Jeff.

“The Swim Safe program we set up to train the trainers in Bangladesh in 2005 is still going. It’s very satisfying to know that you have made a difference.”

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Caption: Jeff Collier with the two awards he received from the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth Council.