The Royal Life Saving Society Australia A.C.T. hosted the A.C.T. Water Safety Awards at the Legislative Assembly in Canberra on Tuesday 25th Nvoember and uncovered some incredible local heroes who've helped save lives and educate people in the ACT over the past 12 months.
Sean Hodges who is Royal Life Saving ACT's Executive Officer says the awards were an opportunity to stop and recognise remarkable work being done in the field of water safety by individuals and groups across the ACT.
Minister Andrew Barr MLA - Minister for Sport and Recreation - presented the awards along with Chief Justice Terence Higgins AO who is the Royal Life Saving Society Australia President. 
Amongst the remarkable winners on the night was Glen Scott who received the RLSSA 'Rescue of the Year' Award for rescuing and administering CPR to a young girl who suffered an epileptic seizure whilst swimming she was revived. The Royal Life Saving Society Australia 'Rescue Medal' went to Elise, Barton and Jon Waser who performed a rescue for a number of people stuck in a rip at Broulee Beach earlier in the year.
Other awards handed out on the night included RLSSA 'Lifeguard of the Year' which was awarded to Alastair Hodgson from the Dickson Aquatic Centre, and the 'Community Education Program of the Year' Award received by Swimming ACT for its ACT Disabled Swimming Program. A full list of the award catagories and winners can be found below.

• Keep Watch Ambassador............   Minister Andrew Barr  
• Keep Watch Ambassador............  Shane Rattenbury MLA, Speaker 
• Keep Watch Ambassador............  Amanda Bresnan MLA 
• Certificate of Appreciation............ Zed Seselja MLA - Leader of the Opposition For Commitment to Water Safety, ensuring all Liberal MLA's became Keep Watch Ambassadors and learned CPR

A.C.T. Water Safety Awards

• The Ministers Award for the Most Significant Contribution to Water Safety by an Individual............ Bradley Bell  For the implementation of 'Ngadyung'- an Aquatic Recreation Program aimed at increasing participation in aquatics among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community.
• Outstanding Media Service to Water Safety............ The Canberra Times For an ongoing commitment to promoting Water Safety
• Community Education Program of the Year............ Swimming ACT For the successful ACT Disabled Swimming Program
• Community Service Award............ Zoe Whymark For commitment and input for the Muslim Aquatic Recreation Program -  Women's Swimming
• Lifesaving Educator of the Year Award............ Carol Gathercole - Canberra Girls Grammar For commitment to lifesaving education programs with Canberra Girls Grammar Students
• Gold Star Aquatic Facility Safety Award............ Lakeside Leisure Centre - Doug Read Outstanding commitment to facility safety
• Gold Star Aquatic Facility Safety Award ............Canberra International Sports and Aquatic Center (CISAC) - Harry Konstantinou Outstanding commitment to Facility safety
• ACT Schools Water Safety Awards............ Farrer Primary School, Alfred Deakin High School, St Jude's Primary School, For Commitment to Water Safety Education through provision of Swimming and Water Safety Lessons,and In-class Water Safety Education programs
• Rescue of the Year............ Glen Scott Canberra International Sports and Aquatic Center (CISAC) For the aquatic rescue and administeration of CPR to a young girl who suffered an epileptic seizure whilst swimming
• Lifeguard of the Year............ Alastair Hodgson Dickson Aquatic Centre For his dedication to the safety of the community through proactive lifeguarding

RLSSA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aquatic Recreation Program Awards 

• Ken (Chuck) Evans Award............ Isabella Denis For her commitment to water safety within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
• Ngadyung Achievers Award............ Courtney Garner Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community

Royal Life Saving Australia Awards

• Presidents Commendation For Lifesaving............ Canberra Labor Club for support of the Swim for Life Program and local Active Family Fun Days, 
                                                             ............Andrew Barr MLA for support of various programs including Swim for Life, Keep Watch, Grey Medallion, Muslim Aquatic Recreation Program, and Swim and Survive.
• Life Members............ Lyal Holley, Peter Granleese, Tony Bandle
• Distinguished Service Member............ Peter Castle, Lyn McDermott 
• The Fellow of Royal Life Saving Society Australia............ Tony Bandle 

Austswim Awards

• Outstanding Contribution to AUSTSWIM............ Lyn McDermott 
• ACT AUSTSWIM Swim School of the Year............ AIS Swim School
• ACT AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming & Water Safety............ Tony Streets CISAC 
• ACT AUSTSWIM Teacher of Infant & Preschool Aquatics............ Kate Lowe AIS 
• ACT AUSTSWIM Presenter Award............ Lyn McDermott 
  

National Bravery Awards

• Royal Life Saving Society Australia Rescue Medal............ Elise Waser, Barton Waser, and Jon Waser For Performing an aquatic rescue for a family of 5 people stuck in a rip at Broulee Beach

Sean Hodges said "Drowning continues to be a major issue for Australia. Vigilance is the key. Water is part of people's lives we all love to be by the beach or pool and it's our playground. Water safety is vital. Royal Life Saving worked with Safe Waters ACT and Austswim on the awards to recognise some truly inspirational individuals. The Awards are always a big night because you hear astounding stories of people who've enriched other people's lives, made a huge impact and in a number of cases saved someone's life. This year has been no exception. I never fail to be inspired by these awards. We congratulate all the winners and everyone who has been involved. Once again, there are some incredible individuals among us."