Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to commend the heroic bravery of two young constituents within the Mackellar electorate. These two 16-year-old boys have displayed great strides of selflessness and courage throughout their work as surf lifesavers at Collaroy Beach. On 22 August 2019, two 16-year-old lifesavers—Mr Brock Dose and Mr Archie Viesis—were inside the surf club at Collaroy when they were told that someone was in trouble. A strong, cold southerly hung in the air as they looked out to the ocean. They could see a man in the distance waving a broken paddle in the air, trapped more than 100 metres out to sea. He had lost his kayak and was being weighed down by his broken paddle. The two daring teens jumped into action and set off to save the exhausted swimmer. They were quick to come to his rescue, bringing him safely back to shore on Archie's board. One year on, this incredible service has been recognised as the two boys earned the award of the Rescue of the Year on the Northern Beaches for 2020. Despite being their first rescue, the two young lifesavers demonstrated immense courage and initiative in order to help someone who was in desperate need. I would like to thank both Brock and Archie on behalf of the Northern Beaches community for making our beautiful beaches safer.