Tathra lifesaver Tony Rettke has been awarded an Emergency Services Medal as part of the Australia Day honours list.
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Mr Rettke has spent more than 37 years as part of the lifesaving community and become a pivotal leader over that time.
He is the current Far South Coast Branch president, and has been in the top job for a decade, and is a distinguished and highly respected member of the Far South Coast (FSC) Support Operations, where he has participated in numerous rescues and search operations.
Mr Rettke's strength in the surf, skills and knowledge are exemplary among lifesavers and he has the rare honour of receiving two high ranking nationally recognised meritorious awards - the SLSA Meritorious Award with Silver Medallion Insert for the 2008 Tathra Wharf Tragedy and the SLSA Meritorious Award with Bronze Medallion Insert for the 2017 rescue of a rock fisherman off Tathra's Kianinny Bay.
In 2009 the Tathra Surf Life Saving Club was presented a police award from the FSC Local Area Command praising the efforts of Mr Rettke and others.
"We believe that the Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club is well and truly upholding the best traditions of the Surf Lifesaving vocation and you should be very proud of what you and your members accomplished, the police command said at the time.
"We are very lucky to have you as part of the wider community and your efforts are very much appreciated."
In 2010 Mr Rettke and four others received a Group Bravery Citation for the Tathra Wharf Tragedy recognising "outstanding initiative, expertise and empathy towards their fellow human beings" by applying lifesaving skills in emergency situations and at risk to themselves.
In his Australia Day ESM citation, Mr Rettke is said to be a consistent and powerful advocate for his branch and his leadership and emergency response skills were front and centre during the Black Summer bushfires, when he led the FSC branch through an extremely challenging situation, taking a hands-on role supporting evacuations on the ground.
"His commitment to Surf Life Saving, to the members of FSC and to the community has never been more evident. Mr Rettke is an exceptional role model and remarkable lifesaver who has consistently lived the motto 'service above self' over many years."
