Honouring Royal Life Saving’s Newest Life Members

Royal Life Saving NSW|ACT|TAS is honoured to welcome Roz Grey OAM and Frances Simpson-Lee as Life Members — a distinction reserved for individuals whose extraordinary dedication, leadership, and lifelong service have profoundly strengthened our organisation and the wider Australian water safety community.

Between them, Roz and Frances share nearly a century of impact, shaping the development of lifesaving sport, water safety education, resuscitation training, and community engagement across Australia. Their contributions have inspired generations of athletes, instructors, officials, and volunteers — and their legacy will continue to support safer communities for many years to come.

Roz Grey OAM: A Champion of Lifesaving Sport and Inclusion

Across more than six decades, Roz Grey OAM has made an exceptional contribution to lifesaving sport, particularly Pool Lifesaving. Her influence spans club, state, and national arenas, and her work in the past 12 months alone represents a remarkable level of leadership and commitment.

Roz currently serves in numerous key roles, including:

• Coach, Junior Coach, Mentor, Manager, and Secretary of the Engadine/Enfield Lifesaving Club

• NSW Officials Representative, overseeing official accreditation and development

• Member of the NSW Club and Competition Committee

• Member of the NSW and National Honours Committees, ensuring meaningful recognition of service and excellence

• Member of the National Sport Committee, shaping national policy and event frameworks

Roz has also held senior officiating positions at major carnivals, including serving as the Host State Officials Representative at the 2025 Australian Pool Life Saving Championships and supporting the coordination of SERC events.

A Mentor and Trusted Expert

Roz is widely respected for her technical expertise, deep understanding of competition rules, and unwavering support of athletes and officials. She has mentored countless individuals over the years, helping them build confidence, competence, and a sense of belonging within the sport.

Her approachable nature and encyclopaedic knowledge make her a vital resource for officials across Australia — someone people turn to when they need clarity, reassurance, or guidance.

Championing Inclusion and Community Spirit

Beyond competition, Roz champions inclusivity and family connection. In 2024, she played a pivotal role in designing and delivering inclusive events for athletes with a disability at the NSW State Championships, ensuring equitable participation and meaningful competition experiences.

Her recent achievements highlight the breadth of her leadership:

• Competition Manager: 2023 & 2024 NSW State Championships

• Chief Referee (appointed): 2025 & 2026 NSW State Championships

• Officiating leadership: 2025 Australian Pool Life Saving Championships

Roz’s passion, consistency, and visionary leadership continue to shape the integrity and future direction of lifesaving sport nationwide. Her decades of service, combined with her significant contributions over the past year, make her an outstanding and deserving Life Member.

Frances Simpson-Lee: A Lifelong Educator and Pioneer in CPR and Water Safety

A dedicated volunteer since the early 1970s, Frances Simpson-Lee has devoted her life to teaching swimming, lifesaving, and CPR, while shaping state and national standards in water safety and resuscitation education.

Frances became involved with Royal Life Saving around 1972 — beginning as a swimming instructor in the NSW Amateur Swimming Association’s Free Learn to Swim campaign. Her commitment quickly evolved into a lifelong mission: to ensure that swimming education always included personal water safety and drowning prevention.

Nearly 50 Years of Community Impact

One of Frances’ most extraordinary contributions has been her service to Wahroonga Public School, where she volunteered as a swimming and lifesaving instructor every Saturday during summer for almost 50 years (approx. 1973–2020). Her programme became a cornerstone of the school community, equipping generations of children with lifesaving skills.

Even after stepping back due to COVID-19 at age 85, Frances continued to guide new instructors and support the school’s program.

Shaping Royal Life Saving’s Technical Standards

Frances has contributed at every level of Royal Life Saving’s work, including:

• NSW Executive Committee (pre-Incorporation)

• NSW Instructors & Examiners Committee / Technical Review Committee (late 1970s–2019)

• NSW Honours Committee (1997–present)

• RLSSNSW representative on the Australian Resuscitation Council

• AustSwim instructor and assessor

Her influence was instrumental in the National Manual Review in the 1980s, where she wrote and subsequently oversaw revisions of the CPR component — work that shaped national resuscitation training for years to come.

Sharing Australian CPR Expertise Internationally

In the late 1980s, Frances joined a NSW instructional team travelling to Japan to teach modern CPR techniques. Colleagues recall her passion, clarity, and ability to overcome language barriers to ensure lifesaving knowledge was understood by all.

A True Lifesaver

Frances’ passion for CPR education is grounded in personal experience. Her skills have directly saved or sustained multiple lives, including:

• A man at Turramurra railway station

• A man in Hornsby shopping centre

• A woman at Asquith Golf Course, whom Frances successfully revived — earning her a commendation from the Governor

These moments speak to her extraordinary skill, bravery, and commitment to helping others.

A Distinguished Record of Service

Frances’ honours include:

• Australian Associate Award (1992)

• Australian Fellow Award (1998 & 2002)

• Australian Companion (2013)

• NSW Life Membership (2000)

Although administrative errors affected the sequence of some national honours, her contribution far exceeds the criteria for Meritorious Service and Life Membership.

Today, Frances continues to serve as a valued member of the NSW Honours Committee, continuing her legacy of empowering others.

Two Remarkable Women, One Shared Legacy

Roz Grey OAM and Frances Simpson-Lee represent the very best of Royal Life Saving. Their leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication have strengthened our organisation, uplifted communities, and saved lives.

Their combined contributions span:

• Lifesaving sport development

• Water safety and CPR education

• Technical and policy advancement

• Mentoring and training future generations

• Championing inclusion and community engagement

We are proud to recognise both women as Life Members of Royal Life Saving — a well-deserved honour celebrating decades of remarkable service.