Michael Pontefract was one of Mollymook’s first Nippers when he joined the surf club in 1981 at the age of 13.

He joined the committee in 1985 and held various positions including club captain, chief instructor and Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) instructor before being made a Life Member in the year 2000.

As a young life saver Michael was named the Shoalhaven City Council Young Citizen of the Year award in 1998 and the NSW Lifesaver of the Year in 1992 after representing the club at State and Australian IRB Championships.

Michael won gold at the Australian IRB Championships in 1992 where he competed with Kiama Downs because the Mollymook club didn’t have a team.

He left the area in 1997 to work for Richmond Valley Council and returned to Mollymook and took up a position as an engineering surveyor with Shoalhaven City Council from 2002 until 2006, before heading back to the north coast where he is currently Richmond Valley Council’s operations coordinator roads, drainage and quarries.

Michael continues to volunteer with the surf life saving movement and is the Evans Head Surf Club captain.

He is undertaking his 35th year of beach patrol service at the club which has only 35 active members, compared to Mollymook’s 200 plus.

Michael, who lives just out of Casino with his wife Sandra and children Shaniah, 18, and Lachlan, 15, has also been the Casino Amateur Swimming Club treasurer for the past eight years and volunteers his time every week to the organisation of club nights.

Michael is one of two key organisers of the Evans Head Ocean Swim and is a part of the Charcoal Inn Charity Club which raises funds for community organisations in need, including schools and hospitals.

His 35 years of volunteer service volunteer services were also awarded with a National Medal with First Clasp at the Casio Australia Day ceremony.

Michael said he returns regularly to Mollymook to visit family and friends, including his father Peter, 84, who has been a surf club member for 67 years after starting out at North Bondi before joining the Mollymook club in 1972.

Michael helped organise the recent Country Championships at Mollymook Beach and said he enjoys keeping in touch with members and being part of club activities.

He had no idea he was receiving an Australia Day award and said he was proud and honoured to be recognised for his service.

While he now lives 75 kilometres from the nearest beach, he remains passionate about surf life saving and is actively trying to increase numbers at his Evans Head club.

He said attracting active volunteers in the small town was much more difficult than Mollymook which has strong support from members of all ages.