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On Wednesday 25 February 2026, Royal Life Saving NSW had the honour of recognising extraordinary acts of courage, leadership and lifesaving skill at the 2026 Royal Life Saving NSW Commendation Awards Ceremony, hosted at Government House Sydney by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales. The ceremony brought together recipients, families, emergency services personnel and community members to acknowledge individuals who stepped forward in critical moments to protect and preserve life. Each year, Royal Life Saving NSW presents Commendation Awards to people who demonstrate exceptional initiative, expertise and compassion when responding to emergencies. These awards recognise both members of the public and Emergency Services Personnel whose actions reflect the very essence of the Royal Life Saving mission – helping people develop the skills and confidence to save lives. Stories of Courage and Commitment This year’s recipients were recognised for extraordinary acts of courage, quick thinking and compassion in a range of life-threatening situations across New South Wales. Incidents included lifesaving responses during extreme bushfire conditions, coordinated rescues at beaches, off-duty police responding to a drowning emergency involving a toddler, and members of the public entering dangerous surf to assist a swimmer in distress. Other awardees were recognised for their decisive actions during critical medical emergencies, including stabilising a surfer following a shark attack using improvised tourniquets and performing CPR and defibrillation on an unconscious driver until paramedics arrived. In each case, the calm leadership, teamwork and lifesaving skills of those involved played a critical role in protecting or preserving life. Together, these stories demonstrate the powerful impact of preparedness and the willingness of ordinary people and emergency responders alike to step forward when every second counts. Why Recognition Matters While each story is unique, they share a common thread: the willingness to act in moments when every second counts. These acts of courage demonstrate the profound impact that training, awareness and community responsibility can have during emergencies. They also reinforce the importance of the lifesaving skills Royal Life Saving teaches across communities every day – including CPR, first aid, and water safety education. For Royal Life Saving NSW, the Commendation Awards are more than a ceremony. They are an opportunity to celebrate individuals who embody the organisation’s long-standing motto: “Whomsoever you see in distress, recognise in him a fellow human being.” This philosophy reflects the shared responsibility we all have to look out for one another, particularly around water and in emergency situations. Celebrating Lifesavers Across Our Community The 2026 Commendation Awards highlight the extraordinary difference ordinary people can make when they are prepared to act. Whether responding to a drowning incident, a medical emergency, or a life-threatening injury, each recipient demonstrated calm leadership, compassion and a commitment to preserving life. Royal Life Saving NSW congratulates all recipients and thanks them for their courage and dedication to the safety of others. Their actions serve as a powerful reminder that lifesaving skills truly save lives. If you know someone deserving of a Commendation Award- fill out a nomination form today! Commendations | Royal Life Saving Photography by: Daniel Kukec Photography 8 Mar 2026 Honouring Courage and Lifesaving Action: 2026 Royal Life Saving NSW Commendation Awards News and Media < Back to News On Wednesday 25 February 2026, Royal Life Saving NSW had the honour of recognising extraordinary acts of courage, leadership and lifesaving skill at the 2026 Royal Life Saving NSW Commendation Awards Ceremony , hosted at Government House Sydney by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales. The ceremony brought together recipients, families, emergency services personnel and community members to acknowledge individuals who stepped forward in critical moments to protect and preserve life. Each year, Royal Life Saving NSW presents Commendation Awards to people who demonstrate exceptional initiative, expertise and compassion when responding to emergencies. These awards recognise both members of the public and Emergency Services Personnel whose actions reflect the very essence of the Royal Life Saving mission – helping people develop the skills and confidence to save lives. Stories of Courage and Commitment This year’s recipients were recognised for extraordinary acts of courage, quick thinking and compassion in a range of life-threatening situations across New South Wales. Incidents included lifesaving responses during extreme bushfire conditions, coordinated rescues at beaches, off-duty police responding to a drowning emergency involving a toddler, and members of the public entering dangerous surf to assist a swimmer in distress. Other awardees were recognised for their decisive actions during critical medical emergencies, including stabilising a surfer following a shark attack using improvised tourniquets and performing CPR and defibrillation on an unconscious driver until paramedics arrived. In each case, the calm leadership, teamwork and lifesaving skills of those involved played a critical role in protecting or preserving life. Together, these stories demonstrate the powerful impact of preparedness and the willingness of ordinary people and emergency responders alike to step forward when every second counts. Why Recognition Matters While each story is unique, they share a common thread: the willingness to act in moments when every second counts. These acts of courage demonstrate the profound impact that training, awareness and community responsibility can have during emergencies. They also reinforce the importance of the lifesaving skills Royal Life Saving teaches across communities every day – including CPR, first aid, and water safety education. For Royal Life Saving NSW, the Commendation Awards are more than a ceremony. They are an opportunity to celebrate individuals who embody the organisation’s long-standing motto: “Whomsoever you see in distress, recognise in him a fellow human being.” This philosophy reflects the shared responsibility we all have to look out for one another, particularly around water and in emergency situations. Celebrating Lifesavers Across Our Community The 2026 Commendation Awards highlight the extraordinary difference ordinary people can make when they are prepared to act. Whether responding to a drowning incident, a medical emergency, or a life-threatening injury, each recipient demonstrated calm leadership, compassion and a commitment to preserving life. Royal Life Saving NSW congratulates all recipients and thanks them for their courage and dedication to the safety of others. Their actions serve as a powerful reminder that lifesaving skills truly save lives. If you know someone deserving of a Commendation Award- fill out a nomination form today! Commendations | Royal Life Saving Photography by: Daniel Kukec Photography Previous Next < Back to News Related Posts Celebrating 110 Years of Saving Lives in Tasmania News and Media Building Stronger Aquatic Leaders in 2026 Training & Development A Safe System for Water Safety: A Community-Wide Approach to Prevent Drowning in Tasmania News and Media

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Royal Life Saving NSW is proud to deliver the NSW Government's Learn to Swim Program for Targeted Communities, leveraging our decades of experience, strong community relationships, and expertise in water safety education. Under this Program, we will provide thousands of inclusive and impactful Learn to Swim programs across 2025 and 2026 that address the needs of vulnerable populations across the state. The program will be structured into four key streams, ensuring tailored delivery for each stage of life. This Learn to Swim initiative, we will be following Royal Life Saving's Swim and Survive Program, Australia’s largest and longest-running water safety initiative. With over four decades of experience and backed by 130 years of lifesaving expertise, the program sets national standards in aquatic education and promotes water safety across the nation. Aligning closely with the NSWSF’s objectives, and the NSW and Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculums, the Swim and Survive program offers a clear pathway for participants to the National Benchmarks for their age groups. Adult Learn to Swim Lessons Launching in Sydney for Term 2 Royal Life Saving NSW is proud to announce the launch of adult Learn to Swim lessons in Sydney under our Project Elevate banner, underway at Seven Hills and Denistone East pools for term 2. Our adult program offers swimming and water safety education to adults who face barriers due to a lack of prior access or cultural challenges, helping ensure confidence, safety, and inclusion for all. The target group for this program is Adults from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, with a focus on helping them achieve national swimming and water safety benchmarks. The program spans 10 sessions, each lasting 45 minutes. Sessions will be offered at varying times. For more information and how to book click here. Please direct any other enquiries to swimandsurvive@royalnsw.com.au 16 Apr 2025 Project Elevate Lessons Starting Term 2 Swimming & Lifesaving < Back to News Royal Life Saving NSW is proud to deliver the NSW Government's Learn to Swim Program for Targeted Communities, leveraging our decades of experience, strong community relationships, and expertise in water safety education. Under this Program, we will provide thousands of inclusive and impactful Learn to Swim programs across 2025 and 2026 that address the needs of vulnerable populations across the state. The program will be structured into four key streams, ensuring tailored delivery for each stage of life. This Learn to Swim initiative, we will be following Royal Life Saving's Swim and Survive Program, Australia’s largest and longest-running water safety initiative. With over four decades of experience and backed by 130 years of lifesaving expertise, the program sets national standards in aquatic education and promotes water safety across the nation. Aligning closely with the NSWSF’s objectives, and the NSW and Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculums, the Swim and Survive program offers a clear pathway for participants to the National Benchmarks for their age groups. Adult Learn to Swim Lessons Launching in Sydney for Term 2 Royal Life Saving NSW is proud to announce the launch of adult Learn to Swim lessons in Sydney under our Project Elevate banner, underway at Seven Hills and Denistone East pools for term 2. Our adult program offers swimming and water safety education to adults who face barriers due to a lack of prior access or cultural challenges, helping ensure confidence, safety, and inclusion for all. The target group for this program is Adults from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, with a focus on helping them achieve national swimming and water safety benchmarks. The program spans 10 sessions, each lasting 45 minutes. Sessions will be offered at varying times. For more information and how to book click here. Please direct any other enquiries to swimandsurvive@royalnsw.com.au Previous Next < Back to News Related Posts Celebrating 110 Years of Saving Lives in Tasmania News and Media Building Stronger Aquatic Leaders in 2026 Training & Development A Safe System for Water Safety: A Community-Wide Approach to Prevent Drowning in Tasmania News and Media

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As restrictions ease and we approach another Summer Season, Royal Life Saving reminds operators of how the Keep Watch at Public Pools program can assist them. The program is targeted towards parents and carers of children and is designed to help them understand their responsibilities and the danger of leaving their children unattended at the pool. With lack of direct supervision by a parent or carer believed to be a contributing factor in 70% of all drowning deaths at public pools, the Keep Watch at Public Pools program aims to eliminate all drowning deaths and reduce the number of near drowning incidents at these facilities. Keep Watch at Public Pools Partners have access to a variety of universal resources designed to assist aquatic centres with a facility-wide approach to child supervision. The resources assist Lifeguards and other centre staff to implement the program and ensure the public are well informed of the program requirements across the site. Now is a perfect time to re-stock Keep Watch at Public Pools resources and ensure all staff are aware of what is available to them to assist with successful program implementation. Facilities can become Keep Watch at Public Pools partners or renew their existing partnership and explore the additional partner options and benefits via Become a Partner link below: https://www.drowningprevention.org.au/becomeapartner 29 Sept 2021 Keep Watch at Public Pools Risk and Safety < Back to News As restrictions ease and we approach another Summer Season, Royal Life Saving reminds operators of how the Keep Watch at Public Pools program can assist them. The program is targeted towards parents and carers of children and is designed to help them understand their responsibilities and the danger of leaving their children unattended at the pool. With lack of direct supervision by a parent or carer believed to be a contributing factor in 70% of all drowning deaths at public pools, the Keep Watch at Public Pools program aims to eliminate all drowning deaths and reduce the number of near drowning incidents at these facilities. Keep Watch at Public Pools Partners have access to a variety of universal resources designed to assist aquatic centres with a facility-wide approach to child supervision. The resources assist Lifeguards and other centre staff to implement the program and ensure the public are well informed of the program requirements across the site. Now is a perfect time to re-stock Keep Watch at Public Pools resources and ensure all staff are aware of what is available to them to assist with successful program implementation. Facilities can become Keep Watch at Public Pools partners or renew their existing partnership and explore the additional partner options and benefits via Become a Partner link below: https://www.drowningprevention.org.au/becomeapartner Previous Next < Back to News Related Posts Celebrating 110 Years of Saving Lives in Tasmania News and Media Building Stronger Aquatic Leaders in 2026 Training & Development A Safe System for Water Safety: A Community-Wide Approach to Prevent Drowning in Tasmania News and Media

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