Batemans Bay Marine Rescue Master, director and trainer Glenn Felkin has no plans for retiring any time soon.
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He is busy volunteering and training the next generation of volunteers who rescue boaters under all conditions, risking their lives to protect those at sea.
Mr Felkin is a watch officer and master - equivalent of the coxswain - in the Batemans Bay crew, and a Marine Rescue director representing the Moama region.
His dedication to safety of the Far South Coast boating community was recognised with an Emergency Services Medal in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.
"This is my retirement," he said.
"You're doing something you really enjoy anyway, and to be recognised for it ... it made my day."
Mr Felkin said his family was not surprised when he was recognised with the award.
"They're pleased as punch," he said. "They know the work I put in so they weren't surprised.
"I drive boats down here ... I also do radio shifts.
"I basically do the training for the crews, up to different crew levels, assess to see if they're competent.
"I'm away a lot. The board meetings are once a month either in Sydney or one of our bases up and down the coast. We have 44 bases and every second month we try and visit one of those bases."
Before the sea change, Mr Felkin worked with navigation equipment as a Qantas avionics engineer.
He said helping others in emergencies was "always on my mind".
He believed it was important for emergency services staff to be recognised.
"When you look at some of the hours people put in, especially in our world under all conditions," he said.
"We're talking about saving people's lives here ... they put their own lives at risk.
"It's great when you're serving others and giving up your time.
"It's really rewarding."
Queen's Birthday Honours
The Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat said Mr Felkin had contributed in a "distinguished manner" to the safety of the boating community of the New South Wales Far South Coast.
"As a skilled and professional Watch Officer and Marine Rescue Master, he placed the highest priority on the safety of his fellow MRNSW volunteers and the boaters they serve. He has responded to numerous emergencies on the Far South Coast, often in extreme conditions, to save lives on the water and has provided steady leadership and assistance in extensive searches in response to fatalities at sea.
"Through his commitment to volunteer education in his roles as a Trainer and Assessor, he has made a lasting contribution to the operational capability of MRNSW and to the skills, capacity and safety of its members. As well as his contribution to the management and operations of the Batemans Bay Unit, he has selflessly committed additional time and energy to train and assist other units.
"He has been pivotal to the development of Marine Rescue Moama, travelling long distances to train the members of the new inland unit in the skills required to provide a vital emergency service on the high-risk Murray River. In his position as the elected Monaro Regional Director on the MRNSW Board since 2015, he has provided strategic leadership to the organisation and its 3,000-plus volunteer members, promoting strong, transparent and ethical corporate governance.
"Mr Felkin epitomises the skill, dedication and altruistic commitment to community service of the Australian emergency services volunteer and he has served MRNSW and the community of NSW with pride and distinction."