Matthew Goddard, a year-eight student at Moruya High School, was awarded a Surf Life Saving Australia Meritorious Award at a national awards night in Sydney.
Matthew is a member of Broulee Surfers Surf Life Saving Club. Earlier this year, he rescued a man – who was more than 182cm tall and weighed 90kgs – from a rip at Broulee Beach.
He received a NSW Surf Life Saving ‘Rescue of the Month’ award at the time.
A representative provided details of his achievement.
“On March 26, Matt was training on a race board when he noticed a man struggling to keep his head above water,” they said.
“He immediately went to the man's aid.
“Matt remained calm and successfully carried out the rescue in challenging conditions, on a board not designed for this purpose.
“His maturity beyond his years allowed him to provide reassurance and keep the man calm throughout.”
For coverage of the rescue, and his earlier award, see here.
