The decision to gain her bronze medallion more than 55 years ago has led to a lifetime of dedication to lifesaving for Rozlynn Grey.
Grey, from Heathcote, was honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to lifesaving and swimming in the 2018 Australia Day honours.
An early passion for swimming and lifesaving led to her involvement in water safety instruction and participation in pool lifesaving.
Grey acquired her bronze medallion, Award of Merit and lifesaving teaching qualifications in the 1960s and subsequently became a Royal Life Saving Examiner. She instructed local community and swimming club members in water safety, survival, rescue, resuscitation and CPR initially at Enfield Pool and then Engadine Pool from the mid-1980s until today.
Grey obtained her qualification as a pool lifesaving official in 1970 and has volunteered as a state, national and International Pool Lifesaving Championships official, acting as a mentor for competitors and officials alike.
Her love of the sport also saw her compete in pool lifesaving competitions until about 1992 when she represented NSW in the Masters division at the Royal Life Saving Society Australia national pool lifesaving championships.
Grey has been an active volunteer at lifesaving competitions since 1972 and is recognised as one of Australia’s leading Royal Life Saving officials. Also the NSW Chair of the Club and Competition (Sport) Committee, Grey’s reputation now extends to Commonwealth and international level with her appointment as one of the chief referees at the 2016 World Championships.
“I am both honoured and overwhelmed by this honour for just doing something that I love. I feel that my involvement in pool lifesaving and junior sport has given me more back than I have given,” she said.
“I always feel privileged to know that I have played a small part in athlete’s journeys. I enjoy seeing people I have mentored going onto become instructors, coaches, officials or that they are still competing at a masters level.
“However, what gives me the most satisfaction is when a person takes the time to contact me to tell me about how their CPR, water safety or first aid training kicked into gear when faced with an emergency situation and thank me for providing them with those skills.”