Lifesavers’ courage during a rescue mission 12 years ago finally recognised at national award ceremony

Courageous efforts of two Bunbury surf lifesavers during a rescue mission in 2012 have been recognised at the 2025 Surf Life Saving Australia Awards of Excellence. Jim Smith and Andy Richardson were awarded the prestigious meritorious award during the function in Sydney. The honour recognised their bravery during the rescue of two people in 5m surf and life-threatening conditions at Redgate Beach in 2012. Mr Smith said the duo went to Margaret River when they got a call about two missing people in big surf. “We were down there and did not have any back ups and radio did not work in those areas at the time, so we had no back up ski to take us if anything happened,” he said. “One person had been found and taken out, and we were looking for the second person. Another jet ski then arrived on scene to help. “We started a search pattern and then unfortunately the other jet ski was hit by a back wave off the cliffs — the big waves coming in hit the rocks and the back waves coming back combined to form a big wave. “They both ended up in the water and the jet ski ended up on the rocks.” The rescuers needed to be rescued with three people now in the water. It was getting increasingly difficult to rescue the trio with Mr Smith and Mr Richardson trying several times. “With three people on the sled, which we don’t train for, we came out and eventually managed to get out through the surf zone, back out to open ocean, where we managed to get them to another boat.” The pair who had initially went missing died, but others were returned to safety. Mr Smith said he felt honoured to be awarded on a national stage. “It took a long time to come through, but really it’s recognition of a lot of people out there that do this sort of thing on a voluntary basis, and they do rescues and retrievals, and you just never hear about it,” he said. “It is great for people that do it, the recognition shows other lifesavers that what we do matters. “They (the City of Bunbury Surf Live Saving Club) tell me they are very happy to get this award — (it is great) recognition of a small club down here in the South West, we are up against a lot when we go to national awards.”