Father Carmelo Sciberras OAM One Of Four Long-Serving Volunteers Awarded Marine Rescue NSW Life Membership

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) held in Cronulla recently.

Marine Rescue NSW Chair James Glissan AM ESM KC said the four recipients - Father Carmelo Sciberras OAM (Marine Rescue Hawkesbury), Elizabeth Watts (Marine Rescue Cottage Point), Noel Parkinson (Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking) and Keven Marshall ESM (Marine Rescue Ulladulla) - are very 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,” Mr Glissan said.

“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.”

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 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.

Elizabeth Watts was awarded Life Membership of Marine Rescue NSW following almost 30 years of service at Marine Rescue Cottage Point.

She was awarded the Unit Life Membership in late 2023.

Noel Parkinson has been volunteering with Marine Rescue Botany Port Hacking since February 2001 and is a highly respected member of the unit.

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.

• Topics:

• Water Safety
• Volunteering
• Awards
• People