He says he has witnessed many changes in what has now become a truly professional organisation.

“When I did my bronze in 1962 there was little active female membership and the only rescue equipment we had were the reel, line and belt and the heavy, cumbersome, planked surf boat that seemed to take an army of volunteers to launch!

“Nowadays, we have inflatable rescue boats and jet skis, as well as the light, manoeuvrable rescue boards that can get to someone in trouble in the surf in next to no time.

“Once rescued, a patient can be assisted, if necessary, with equipment such as a spinal board, oxy viva or defibrillator, and the use of radios, motorised beach vehicles and drones is increasingly important.”

Since first moving to Bellingen in 1952, Peter has represented the district in soccer, cricket, rugby league, swimming, athletics and surf lifesaving with an emphasis on participation, enjoyment and good sportsmanship. He has been involved in administration, coaching and mentoring. 

He joined the Bellinger Valley North Beach Surf Life Saving club in 1960, as soon as he turned 13, and has maintained continuous active service within the organisation.

Peter was a foundation member of the Bellingen Diggers Swimming Club in 1996 and has won the club’s highest overall point score on seven separate occasions and been champion at both zone and inter zone carnivals.

Related: Decades of patrols and swags of medals

Peter’s next surf carnival will be the Queensland state titles at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast in mid March followed by the Australian titles on the same beach in April.

Last year, competing in the 70+ age bracket, he came away from the Queensland Masters Championships with three gold and two silver medals in the 1km Beach Run, the Male Beach Flags, the Surf Board Rescue, Male Beach Sprint and the Rescue Tube Race.