8/6/26 Volunteer Lifesavers Recognised in King's Birthday Honours

8/6/26

Volunteer lifesavers from across Victoria have been named in 2026 King’s Birthday Honours. 

Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club’s Geoff Thompstone has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to surf lifesaving. 

Geoff started patrolling at Jan Juc in 1968 and has held numerous roles at the club, including Secretary and Clubhouse Manager. He has also played a major role in training and assessment at the club, across the Surf Coast and the state. 

He was made a Life Member of Jan Juc SLSC in 2022 and the club’s observation tower also carries his name. 

Katrina Antony has been awarded the Emergency Services Medal for showing outstanding dedication to the Victorian lifesaving movement for more than 20 years. 

Since starting at Portland Surf Life Saving Club in 2005, Katrina has amassed more than 1,700 patrol hours over multiple clubs and regions. She has demonstrated strong leadership through search and rescue efforts with multiple agencies, at all times acting with professionalism and empathy.  

She now serves as Life Saving Victoria’s Director of Training and Assessment, working to modernise lifesaving training across the state to make training more efficient and accessible for thousands of volunteers.

Murray Colvin from Lakes Entrance Surf Life Saving Club has received the Emergency Services Medal for his contribution to the lifesaving movement and emergency services as a whole over more than 50 years.

He started volunteering in the 1970s, and has worked in surf lifesaving, helicopter rescue, paramedicine and major emergency operations. 

On top of his lifesaving efforts as a patrolling member and Rescue Water Craft Operator, Murray is also a MICA paramedic, mentor and innovator within Victoria’s emergency services network. He has made numerous contributions to emergency response and training, including advancements in aerial firefighting.

Murray is now Life Saving Victoria’s Lifesaving Operations Officer in Gippsland, where he leads emergency management, coordinates search and rescue operations, and supports lifesaving clubs to respond in emergency situations. 

The Emergency Services Medal (ESM) is part of Australia’s National Honours system and recognises “distinguished service as a member of an Australian emergency service”. 

For further information contact the LSV Media team: media@lsv.com.au / 03 9676 6970.