![Photo taken at Government House September 2012 and shows Jack McCoy (International Surfing Identity], Her Excellency GG Marie Bashir, James Small OAM and his sister Suzanne Cooke.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/z8hBhxAZcc6GAanbqacDHK/09a0d601-948a-4e1c-b7ca-1533d2d2c2a4_rotated_270.jpg/r187_374_3140_2259_w576_h298_fmax.webp "Photo taken at Government House September 2012 and shows Jack McCoy (International Surfing Identity], Her Excellency GG Marie Bashir, James Small OAM and his sister Suzanne Cooke.")
James Small spent "16 wonderful years in the Ulladulla/Mollymook community" and wanted to share a special announcement.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He was named in the Australia Day honours list this week and will be receiving an OAM.
Mr Small lived in the Ulladulla area from 1991-2007 and was heavily involved with the Mollymook Surf Lifesaving Club.
His surf lifesaving connection remains strong and is now with the Tweed Heads and Coolangatta SLSC.
The award was due to his dedication to the surf lifesaving movement.
He has fond memories of the Mollymook Club and local area in general.
"This is my second Commonwealth award which followed on from service within the Mollymook Surf Lifesaving Club," he said.
"I love Mollymook with a passion and represented Mollymook in the finals of the World Surf Life Saving Championships in 2000 at Manly."
This is not the first time Mr Small has won an award.
"During my time living at Mollymook I received many awards including South Coast Lifesaver of the Year 2002/03 and Ulladulla's Best Citizen 2001," he said.
Mr Small also won the inaugural Quiet Achiever of the Year 2003 MSLSC, Shoalhaven Mayoral Citation for fighting bushfires 2002 and Mollymook Patrol Person of the year 2003/04/05.
"Also I received Greenmount Surf Club's Club Person of the Year 20015," he added.
Surf Life Saving Australia President, John Baker ESM, congratulated Mr Small and the others associated with the surf lifesaving movement who were honoured for their outstanding service to communities around Australia.
"On behalf of Surf Life Saving Australia, I would like to acknowledge and congratulate all those associated with our movement who were today recognised and honoured for their outstanding community service as part of the Australia Day Honours," Mr Baker said.
"We are proud that so many of our volunteers were today recognised nationally, outside of our organisation, by the Governor General for their outstanding community service.
"Our organisation is stronger for their involvement and contribution over the years, and we are very fortunate to have people of this quality associated with our movement."
