Four Marine Rescue NSW volunteers, with a combined 88 years of service between them, were awarded Marine Rescue NSW Life Membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Cronulla.
Marine Rescue NSW Chair, Mr James Glissan AM ESM KC, said the four recipients—Elizabeth Watts (Marine Rescue Cottage Point), Noel Parkinson (Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking), Father Carmelo Sciberras OAM (Marine Rescue Hawkesbury), and Keven Marshall ESM (Marine Rescue Ulladulla)—are extremely deserving of the honour.
“This incredible group of highly skilled and dedicated volunteers have given decades of exemplary service to the boating community of NSW, and it is a pleasure to award them Life Membership of Marine Rescue NSW.
“The Marine Rescue NSW Board is grateful for their commitment to saving lives on the water and the service they have provided to their local communities,” he said.
Elizabeth (Beth) Watts – Marine Rescue Cottage Point
Elizabeth Watts has been awarded Life Membership of Marine Rescue NSW following almost 30 years of service at Marine Rescue Cottage Point. Beth is a highly experienced mariner and serves as a Marine Rescue NSW Coxswain and State Operations Group Field Operator.
Since July 2022, Beth has served as Deputy Unit Commander at Marine Rescue Cottage Point, in addition to fulfilling many other roles at the unit, including Trainer, Assessor, and Operations Officer. Beth now adds Marine Rescue NSW Life Membership to the Unit Life Membership she was awarded in late 2023.
Noel Parkinson – Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking
Noel Parkinson has been volunteering with Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking since February 2001 and is a highly respected member of the unit.
As a Marine Rescue NSW Coxswain and Watch Officer, Noel has played a vital role in countless search and rescue missions. He is a former Unit Commander at Botany Port Hacking and is currently serving as Admin Officer.
Father Carmelo Sciberras OAM – Marine Rescue Hawkesbury
The much-loved chaplain of Marine Rescue Hawkesbury recently celebrated a significant milestone—his Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years of ministry as a Catholic priest.
Since 1996, Father Carmelo Sciberras has been a devoted member of Marine Rescue Hawkesbury, serving not only as a crew member but also as the unit’s chaplain, offering spiritual support to its members and the wider community.
Father Carmelo’s remarkable life and dedication to both his faith and Marine Rescue Hawkesbury have earned him numerous accolades, including the Medal of the Order of Australia.
At 86, Father Carmelo continues to be an active part of Marine Rescue Hawkesbury. He serves on the first watch team each month and is currently training to become an accredited radio operator, proving that age is no barrier to learning new skills and continuing to serve the community.
Keven Marshall ESM – Marine Rescue Ulladulla
Keven Marshall ESM has been serving the boating community of Ulladulla and its surrounds since 1998 and was awarded the Emergency Services Medal in 2017.
He has held a variety of positions at the unit, including Deputy Unit Commander. From 2013 to 2023, Mr Marshall served as a Marine Rescue NSW vessel Master and is currently a Watch Officer.
For the past seven years, he has held the role of Regional Director, Illawarra, on the Marine Rescue NSW Board but has stepped down from the position today.
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer based not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water and supporting local communities.
