Vale Terry McCallum

On Tuesday 10th February, we said goodbye to Terry McCallum, a colleague, mentor, and friend who dedicated more than 40 years of his life to lifesaving education and drowning prevention.

Terry’s impact on Royal Life Saving cannot be overstated. He wasn’t just a trainer, he was someone who shaped the culture around him. He brought warmth, humour, and an extraordinary depth of knowledge into every course, every office conversation, and every interaction, he had a rare gift for connecting with people.

For those of us who had the privilege of working alongside him, Terry set the standard. He reminded us what professionalism looks like when it’s paired with kindness. He was the kind of person who checked in on others, who made people feel seen, and who gave his time freely, not because he had to, but because he genuinely cared.

Terry trained tens of thousands of people in CPR, First Aid, aquatic rescue and lifesaving skills, and through that, his legacy lives on in every person who has ever used those skills to help someone in an emergency. His contribution reached far beyond our organisation, into the community, and into the lives of people he never even met.

Even after retirement, Terry continued to give back to Royal Life Saving, supporting education initiatives and helping with community defibrillator servicing, because for him, this work was always more than a job.

We are incredibly grateful for everything he gave to our organisation, our team, and the wider community. We farewell not only an outstanding trainer, but a true gentleman and an even better friend.

Thank you for everything, Terry. You will be deeply missed.

Vale Terry McCallum.