ACTIONS taken during last year’s Tathra Wharf tragedy in which Shane O’Neill and his two sons, Riley and Travis, drowned have been recognised in the 2009 NSW Water Safety Awards.
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The award for Rescue of the Year went to the Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club, Robert Brown and posthumously to Shane O’Neil.
The award is “recognition of outstanding attempts to save a life in the aquatic environment despite risks to the rescuer”.
The citation stated: “On November 18, 2008 members of the Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club were contacted to assist in the rescue of four people in the water at Tathra Wharf. After two young children had fallen into the water, their father Shane O’Neil and a member of the public, Robert Brown, entered the water in an effort to rescue them. Members of the Tathra Surf Lifesaving Club arrived shortly after to assist in the difficult rescue.
The courage and bravery exhibited was of the highest level. While the outcome was the most tragic, those involved in the rescue should be recognised and praised for their selfless actions.”
Sport and Recreation Minister Kevin Greene congratulated the winners for their outstanding courage and dedication.
“I thank and congratulate the many quiet achievers and local heroes whose invaluable work makes beaches, pools and rivers safer for us all,” Mr Greene said.
“From selfless acts of bravery to long-term volunteer services, all of the award winners have made exceptional contributions to water safety in NSW.”
At the ceremony Tony Rettke accepted the award on behalf of the club and spoke briefly about the others involved on the night and how their actions were to be commended.
Mr Rettke also accepted the award for Shane O’Neill and on Wednesday, as Shane’s partner Stacey Lambert was away, passed it on to Phil and Linda O’Neill, Shane’s parents.
Mrs O’Neill said she and her husband Phil were pleased to accept her son’s award on behalf of Stacey.
“Phil and I are so proud of what Shane did that night,” she said.
“He lived for Riley and Travis and what he did was typical of him, he always put other people in front of himself.
“We are getting through this time by knowing he sacrificed his life for the boys.”
Mrs O’Neill said the couple knew “he would not have been the same person had he survived”.
“Even though it hurts us terribly, we know he would have wanted to be with the boys.”
President of the surf club Scott Meaker said that while he was proud of the efforts of the club on that night, it was also good to see “Shane and Rob Brown being recognised as individuals”.
“And there were so many others from the club and other organisations who worked tirelessly in many ways on the night as well,” he said.
“They should not be forgotten either.”
