• Awards for Charles Sturt lecturer and surf lifesaver
• Surf lifesaving club gains new members and paramedic students benefit from surf club links and training
• A range of large-scale training exercises have benefited club members and paramedic students

A Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) academic has shared in several awards on the Mid North Coast after combining his love of education with his passion for saving lives in the surf.

Mr Tony Miller, a lecturer in paramedicine at the Charles Sturt School of Biomedical Sciences in Port Macquarie and a member of the Camden Haven Surf Life Saving Club, built new relationships between the two organisations which has seen a surge in memberships at the club.

The enhanced engagement has also resulted in a range of large-scale training exercises in the Camden Haven area which have benefited club members and Charles Sturt paramedic students alike.

At the recent Mid North Coast Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence on Saturday 15 June, Mr Miller received the Best New Initiative Award for his efforts in coordinating large scale training exercises between the club, university students, and local emergency services.

Mr Miller and the Club President, Ms Michelle Garvan, also received the Community Education Award for a program which enabled university students in the paramedic degree to complete their Bronze Medallion qualification so they could help save lives on the beach.

In addition, the Camden Haven Surf Life Saving Club also picked up the Surf Club of the Year award across the Mid North Coast.

“I’m humbled to have been a part of these really important initiatives,” said Mr Miller said.

“It’s a great example of what can be achieved when our impressive Charles Sturt students team up with the dedicated staff from the surf club.”

Mr Miller’s initiatives have not just gained attention within Surf Life Saving circles.

For more than 12 months, researchers have been examining how these initiatives help prepare paramedic students for their future profession.

Mr Phillip Ebbs, senior lecturer in paramedicine in the Charles Sturt School of Biomedical Sciences in Port Macquarie, is the research chief investigator.

Mr Ebbs said, “The awards and research reflect the Charles Sturt University motto ‘for the public good’, and the inclusive and impactful nature of the important lifesaving work the two organisations are doing together in the community.

“What’s clear from our research is that when paramedic students work with community agencies such as Surf Life Saving Clubs, they learn the skills and attitudes that will help them thrive in the real world of paramedic practice.”

The President of the Camden Haven Surf Life Saving Club, Ms Michelle Garvan, said that this is the third year in a row that the club has won the prestigious Surf Club of the Year award across the Mid North Coast.

“I’m so proud of what our members have been able to achieve, and it is wonderful that their work has been recognised,” Ms Garvan said.