Esteemed life member, John Turner has been recognised for his dedication and long service in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours.
John has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). The Medal of the Order of Australia is awarded for service worthy of particular recognition, in John’s case for services to surf life saving..
In recognising the award, Club President Charlie Pitney said:
John’s contribution to the Life Saving movement, both at Point Lonsdale and Anglesea is extremely worthy of this recognition. John is a valued and dedicated life member who has committed much of his life to the conspicuous service he has given to the community.
As a pioneer in our Club and life saving in Victoria, John continues to be engaged and passionate about our Club and we are very fortunate to count him as one of our members.
Congratulations John - we are honoured have you as a member of our club!
JOHN TURNER OAM BIO
John ‘Dummy’ Turner OAM joined the Club influenced by his mates at the Williamstown Lifesaving Club and Williamstown Football Club, and became one of our Club’s most popular and successful Captains. He represented the Club in competition for many years at the State, Interstate and National levels, and with Harry Windmill, was the major force behind the introduction of the Nipper program to Victoria.
In 1955, when competing at his first Australian Championships for the Point Lonsdale beach relay team in at Dee Why, John saw a NSW ‘nipper’ group training. Concerned that that there should be some intermediate steps between completing the ‘learn to swim’ classes, John saw the benefit of rewarding young members with certificates and badges, similar to those in cubs and scouts. He also re-wrote the Manual to include First Aid instructions from the St John’s Ambulance Handbook and Rescue and Resuscitation the Australian Surf Life Saving Blue Book.
In 1958, John went too London for 12 months with Shell Company and Colonel Neil Turner and his wife enhanced the program progressively until John returned from his Australian SLSA trip to the U.S.A, returning with a Lifeguard Manual, and the introduction of the Lieutenant and Captain’s Course was formalised in 1966. The program trained children in surf awareness, surf life saving competition, basic first aid and resuscitation, as well as being an avenue to membership recruitment. Over time, this area has developed to become a major focus of Surf Life Saving across Australia.
John was a member of the first Victorian Boat Crew to win Gold at the Australian Championships at Scarborough in 1965. Also in 1965, John was a member of the Australian team to tour America, competing in demonstrations and carnivals held both during the day and at night. In 1967, he was joint organiser of the first USA team to visit Victoria, this competition being the forerunner of the Wieland Shield.
John was awarded the Ken D Allen Award in the 1962/63 season and Life Membership in the 1965/66 season. John is also a life member of Anglesea SLSC.
John’s extensive involvement in surf life saving has also included other Clubs – in the late 60’s, he was the sweep of the Fairhaven Senior Boat crew and for 3 years from 1998 he was the Competition Director at the Anglesea SLSC. During this time the Anglesea Club were the Victorian Champion team for 3 years, and won 20 medals at the Australian Championships. At Anglesea he continued as an Active Reserve patrolling member from 1980 to 1990 and received Long Service Membership. In 1994 he formed and supervised the Junior Development Squad.