Their Honours, Award Recipients, Special Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth Council and the Lifesaving Society, Newfoundland and Labrador Branch it is my pleasure to recognize and thank dedicated volunteers for their service in promoting lifesaving and lifeguarding programs in and around their community.  We also have the privilege today of presenting awards to individuals who have shown great  resourcefulness, courage and skill in performing aquatic rescues of those in danger of drowning.

The Royal Lifesaving Society was chartered in Canada in 1908 and the Newfoundland and Labrador Branch established in 1969, making 2004 the 35th Anniversary of the branch.  We are members of the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth, of which Her Majesty the Queen is the Patron.  Thus Lt. Governor Edward Roberts, being the Queen’s highly acclaimed representative in Newfoundland and Labrador, is the Patron of the Lifesaving Society in this province, for which we are delighted. The Society would like to thank Their Honours for presenting these awards and for hosting this ceremony and the reception to follow.

Please note that on behalf of the those recipients that are noted in the program, but were unable to be with us today, the Lifesaving Society accepts their awards and will ensure they are duly recognized.

The first Commonwealth Award being presented today is the Certificate of Thanks. This  Commonwealth Certificate is awarded to individuals that have at least 2 years of active volunteer service. Eligible members from Newfoundland and Labrador must be an Instructor, Examiner, Branch Officer or Committee Member.

It is with great please that I now call on the Certificate of Thanks recipients that are in attendance with us today and invite His Honour to present the award to:

Joanne Angel
Kristina Benoit (Kristina will accept a C of T for her sister Natalie Benoit who is unable to attend today)
John Dyke (John will accept a C of T for his sister Michelle Dyke who is unable to attend today)
Amanda George
Nancy Howell
John Clancey III
Jeff Wells

The next Commonwealth Award being presented today is the Service Medal. This Commonwealth Medal is awarded to individuals that have contributed at least 4 years of active volunteer service. Eligible members from Newfoundland and Labrador must be a Instructor, Examiner, Branch Officer or Committee Member.

The following individuals who will receive Service Medals are not able to be present today.

Cyril Fitzgerald
Myra Lannon
Robert Mendoza
Rose Parsons

 The last Commonwealth Service Award being presented today is the Bar to Service Medal. A minimum of 8 years of consecutive, active, meritorious service to the Society is required before members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Branch are eligible for this particular award.

Francine Murphy, the recipient for this award is not able to be present today.

The final awards being presented today are the Commemorative Medal for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. The Commonwealth Medal was created on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty’s accession to the Throne as Queen of Canada.  The medals are a tangible and lasting tribute individuals within the Lifesaving Society who have made significant contributions to the community, their fellow citizens and their country though this organization.

Dr Gary Butler – Dr Butler is the former Governor of the Newfoundland and Labrador Branch of the Lifesaving Society from 1991-2001.  The Governor acts as an ambassador for the Society to business and government.  Gary’s insight, business acumen and constant ability to always ‘be there’ ensured that the Lifesaving Society’s focus remained clear.

I now ask Dr Gary Butler to come forward to accept his award.
 

Denis Mahoney – Denis is a long term volunteer with the Lifesaving Society at both provincial and national levels. Denis has been involved at many levels within the Lifesaving, from lifeguarding, examining, teaching and also in presidential and committee responsibilities.  The time and effort that has gone into his work with the Society are tangible proofs of his dedication to drowning prevention.

I now ask Mr Denis Mahoney to come forward to accept his award.

Bert Osmond – a long term volunteer with the Lifesaving Society at the provincial level since 1969.  Bert has acted in every capacity within the Society from award processor, to examiner, to instructor and as president.  His guidance and enthusiasm for the Royal Lifesaving Society and his commitment to its mission is a lasting legacy.

I now ask Mr Bert Osmond to come forward to accept his award.
 

The LIFESAVING SOCIETY is honoured to be presenting 11 Rescue Awards today.

The first rescue award being presented today is the MG Griffiths Certificate. This award is the 2nd highest National Bravery Award presented by the Lifesaving Society. Recipients must have demonstrated exceptional skill, personal risk, and a high degree of bravery and courage. Recipients of the MG Griffiths Certificate must be an Award holder of the Society.

John Dyke
In September 2001, the local Sea Cadet Corp 191Labrador was attending a full sail instructing course at Jean Lake, Wabush, Labrador.  During the afternoon, cadets were given the opportunity to practice skills learned in handling a 420 sail boat, manned by  2-3 persons.   Petty Officer 2ns Class John Dyke was acting as skipper on the 420 along with Kayla Chaulk and Kerri Macphee who where learning how to sail.

The boat capsized with John Dyke on top of the boat and Kerri in the water, but there was no sign of Kayla Chaulk.   John made sure that Kerri was safe, then proceeded to check underneath the boat for Kayla.  He found her there, tangled in the hiking strap which was wrapped around her neck and had her pinned to the boat.  She was panicking and hyperventilating.

John removed the strap from around her neck and calmed her down.  Then removed her from underneath the boat and signaled the coach boat to approach to take her to shore.
With Kayla aboard the coach boat, John then righted the capsized boat and proceeded to shore himself.  Both cadets were in good condition with the exception of being cold.

The quick and unselfish actions of John Dyke saved a fellow student from a situation that could have turned tragic. If it was not for his lifesaving skills, quick actions and courage the situation could have been much worse for the victim. It is for this reason that we present Mr. Dyke with the MG Griffith’s Certificate.

I now invite his Honour to present the award to John Dyke.
I ask John Dyke to come forward to accept this award.
 

Mark  Hurley
On November 5, 2002, Mark helped his grandfather launch an aluminum boat that he was using to retrieve his anchor.  He was on Crocker’s Cove Beach, feeding rope out to his grandfather who was 250-300 feet offshore.

His grandfather secured the anchor and was coming back to shore when the boat capsized, throwing him into the water.  Weighed down with rubber boots and a heavy coat, the man couldn’t swim.  He felt he was going to drown. As soon as Mark saw the boat capsize, he jumped into the water and began swimming out to him.  When he reached him, he found his grandfather tangled in the rope. Mark untangled the rope and used a pia carry to tow his grandfather back to shore.   Mark continued to reassure his grandfather and as soon as he reached shore, he called for assistance.

Mark checked his grandfather’s pulse, and removed his wet clothing and covered him with blankets.  Patrick Merrigan was treated for hypothermia and released from hospital.

There is little doubt that the actions of Mark Hurley saved his grandfather’s life. It is for this reason that we present Mr. Hurley with the M.G. Griffiths Certificate.

I now invite His Honour to present the award to Mark Hurley.
I ask Mark Hurley to come forward to accept this award.

The following Rescue Commendation recipients were unable to be with us to receive their awards today. They all demonstrated merit, resourcefulness, courage and personal bravery for outstanding rescues.

Carl Oliver
James Rideout
Derek Rideout

The Lifesaving Society accepts the awards on behalf of these recipients at this time and will ensure they receive their awards and are duly recognized.

Kevin Rose
In July 1967, Kevin Rose was working in St. John’s as a taxi driver.
Marilyn White, aged 10 and her friend Paula were playing alongside the Waterford River by Job’s Bridge near the CN dockyard when Marilyn slipped on a rock and fell into the river.

Unable to swim, Marilyn managed to stay afloat by kicking her feet and moving around the water.  Her friend Paula ran for help.

Kevin saw the little girl fall into the river and rused to the rescue.  As he approached the river, Marilyn was floating underneath Job’s Bridge.  He ran to the other side of the bridge, jumped into the water fully clothed and brought the young girl to safety.

Marilyn was brought to hospital where she was examined and later released.

I now invite His Honour to present the award to Kevin Rose.
I ask Kevin Rose to come forward to accept this award.

William Kenny
On the evening of June 8, 1982, Michael Downey 51, and his nephew Jimmy Kenny, 18 set out in Michael’s 18 foot wooden boat to fish about 6 miles out to sea.  They decided to take a closer look at a huge iceberg about 300 feet away from them.  As they came within a few feet of the iceberg, they heard a loud bang and then the top of the iceberg cam crashing down on them, overturning their boat and throwing both of them into the icy water.

When Michael surfaced there were chunks of ice all around him. He looked around for Jimmy but couldn’t see him.  After 30 seconds, Jimmy surfaced about 100 feet from Michael and close to where the overturned boat was.  Jimmy couldn’t swim but somehow made it to the boat and clung on.  Michael spotted a seat from the boat and clung to that.  They shouted back and forth to each other to hold on, both knowing they couldn’t last very long in the frigid water.

William Kenny, who was fishing on the other side of Salmon Cove Point, had heard the loud crash of ice and decided to investigate, only to find his son Jimmy and brother-in-law Michael Downey minutes away from drowning.

He quickly pulled them into his boat and rushed back to port in Avondale.  They were treated for hypothermia and recovered fully from their ordeal.  Quick reaction and calm thinking when faced with relatives in danger, averted a tragedy.  For this we present the Rescue Commendation.

I now invite His Honour to present the award to William Kenny.
I ask William Kenny to come forward to accept this award.

Garland Winsor
On the night of September 16, 1949 in the community of Little Bay Islands, Rupert Oxford was attempting to cross Little Bay Harbour in his 3 meter rowboat.  Mr Oxford was disabled and a large man.  He moved to change his position in the boat and it capsized, throwing him into the water.
Garland Winsor, then 15 and his brother Ford 17 heard screaming and calls for help coming from the harbour and went to the rescue.  When they arrived, the victim was about 30 meters from his boat and close to drowning.  Mr Winsor and his brother took their boat out to the victim and struggled to get him into the craft.  The victim was then covered with jackets and kept warm until his breathing was restarted.

Mr Winsor was also responsible for saving the life of another person nine years later, on September 14, 1958.

In the early hours of the morning Garland Winsor was a passenger on a boat traveling from Tilt Cove to Little Bay Island, owned and operated by Captain Reginald Weir.

At the time of docking in the harbour, the Captain was standing on deck with a flashlight in hand.  When Mr Winsor stopped onto the dock to take the line from the Captain, he was nowhere in sight.  He saw the flashlight on the bottom of the harbour in about 15 feet of water.  Two crew members working on the boat did not notice what had happened to the Captain.  Mr Winsor jumped into the water, dived down and brought the man up to the surface.  The Captain was panicking and Mr Winsor struggled to get a grip on the boat railing, but lost it and both of the men fell back into the harbour.
After more struggling with the victim, Mr Winsor finally managed to secure a grip on him and pull him onto the deck of the boat, where first aid was applied to victim.

If not for Mr Winsor’s quick reactions, two men may have died.  For this reason with present him with the Rescue Commendation.

I now invite His Honour to present the award to Garland Winsor.
I ask Garland Winsor to come forward to accept this award.

Davis Smith
On October 3, 2000 around 5pm, David and his grandfather Harry Smith decided to go for a boat ride around Heart’s Content harbour.

Once the boat was untied and floated off from the wharf, Harry went backt o start the 40hp engine.  When he pulled the starting cord, the enginge started in neutral and jumped into gear.  The force drove Harry out over the back of the boat and into the water.

The engine then tipped to the side and the boat, with David sitting in front, began going round in circles.  Davis was wearing a lifejacket, but Harry wasn’t.
Harry couldn’t swim and was wearing heavy clothing that hampered him.  While he struggled to stay afloat, the boat, circling out of control, ran into him.  The blow drove him approximately 15-20 feet under water.

Davis, at the age of nine, knew that if he was going to help his grandfather, he had to stay calm.  He knew he had to stop the boat before it hit Harry again.  He climbed to the back of the boat that was still going in circles and slightly tipped.   He had never cut an engine before, but he’d seen his father do it hundred of times.  Davis turned off the switch and the engine stopped.  He then saw his grandfather lying on top of the water.

Davis took an oar and sculled over to his grandfather, who managed to hold on to the side with one arm.  Davis couldn’t pull his grandfather into the boat, but hold onto his arm with both hands and started screaming for help.

Brothers Derek and Jim Rideout came along in their boat around this time.  Carl Oliver, who lives close to the wharf ran out and jumped into the water to assist the Rideouts in getting Harry into their boat, reassuring him.  Harry was taken to hospital, treated and released later that night.

The quick thinking and calm of Davis in a moment of horror, along with the rescue actions of Derer and James Rideout and Carl Oliver, all helped prevent what could have been a much different ending.  For this reason, we present them with Rescue Commendations.

I now invite His Honour to present the award to Davis Smith.
I ask Davis Smith to come forward to accept this award.

Duncan Osmond
On December 31, 2001, while snowmobiling on Deer Lake Power Canal roadway, the driver lost control of the snowmobile.  Duncan, being a  passenger was thrown from the machine.  Angel Compton went into the water with the snowmobile.  Angel couldn’t swim. The machine dropped into the 4 meter deep water of the canal about 6-8 meters from shore.

Duncan realized what was happening and jumped into the water with all his snowmobile gear and helmet on, swam to Angel and pulled her from the water.

When they reached the shore, another snowmobiler came along and helped them to a house where they waited for family members to assist them.

The quick thinking and heroic actions of Duncan Osmond prevented Angel Compton from drowning.  For this reason with award him the Rescue Commendation.

I now invite His Honour to present the award to Duncan Osmond.
I ask Duncan Osmond to come forward to accept this award.

Lillian Molloy
In March of 1952 Mrs Molloy was 28 and living with her parents in Drook on the Southern Shore.   She and a neighbour were talking when her mother ran in shouting that children were going to drown.  They at first ignored her, but she persisted and Lillian looked out of the window that overlooked Drook Pond.  There she saw the little heads bobbing on the water.  She realized that the children had fallen through the ice and were in grave danger, so she ran out of the house towards the pond.

A neighbour who also saw the children joined her, carrying a heavy gaff or boat hook, which he handed to her.  Lillian continued to the pond and ran out onto the ice which gave way under her weight.  Lillian, who couldn’t swim, but her only concern was reaching the children.  When the water came up to her armpits ,her feet touched bottom.
The frigid water was chilling her as she reached the gaff out to the first child, 8 year old Lucy Perry.  The child held on and was pulled to safety by others on shore.  Lillian then tried to reach 4 year old Francis St. Croix who seemed to be unconscious, floating in the water.  Lillian nearly lost her grip on the child but continued to slowly pull him in then heaved him to others on shore who revived him.

Lillian, now numbed by the cold, continued on to reach Francis’ 6 year old sister Kathleen and carried her to the waiting arms of onlookers.

The outstanding action of Lillian Molloy, her quick thinking and selfless actions, surely saved the lives of three children that day.  For this reason, we present her with the Rescue Commendation.

I now invite His Honour to present the award to Lillian Molloy.
I ask Lillian Molloy to come forward to accept this award.

This concludes the LIFESAVING SOCIETY award presentations.
 

‘Please rise for the departure of Their Honours’.

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LOOKING FOR HEROES

If you know of someone who has perfomed an aquatic rescue within the last two years please forward his or her name for a Rescue Commendation or M.G.Griffiths Certificate download a nomination form and submit this to the Lifesaving Society's Branch Office.   Rescue Commendations are provided to individuals who have performed aquatic rescues that put their own lives at risk to rescue another, but who hav enot had any formal lifesaving training.

M.G. Griffiths Certificates are presented to individuals who have performed outstanding aquatic rescues and who have some Lifesaving Society traning.

If you would like to nominate an individual for a Rescue Commendation or M.G.Griffiths Certificate, please download a nomination form, complete and return it to our Branch office.

If  you are an affiliate and wish to nominate an individual for a Commonwealth Honour Award, please download the nomination form, complete and return it to the NL Branch by December 31st.

Udated July 28, 2004

Comments?  Contact us at lifeguard@nl.rogers.com

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