DEDICATED: Ian Dunlop, Kelsey Cook and Tony Logue on the evening of the presentation.
THREE members of Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Lifesaving Club (TGHNSLSC) were honoured with awards at the recent Hunter Branch presentation night.
Kelsey Cook took out the prestigious "Heroes of the Surf" award for her part in the rescue of a family of four at Bennetts Beach, Hawks Nest in early January.
Cook who was helping with a surf club fundraiser at the time of the incident and did not think twice about running to rescue the family after she heard screaming on the beach.
She ran to the scene, where a lifeguard was already assisting, went into the water where she pulled three members of the family from the water using no equipment. The family had been dragged almost 100 metres out to sea by a rip while swimming north of the flagged area.
"Without her intervention in assisting the lifegaurd we probably would have lost three lives," said life member of the club Debbie Booth who nominated Cook for the award.
"She made me very proud to be a lifesaver," she said.
Tony Logue was awarded Male Masters Competitor of the Year for his dedication in travelling to and competing in events.
TGHNSLSC secretary Maxine Cook described Mr Logue as an inspiration to all members of the club.
Life member of the club, Ian Dunlop scored the president's award for his dedication to the club which goes above and beyond his call of duty.
"His enthusiastic approach and dedication to all areas of surf life saving each season has endeared him to all members both old and new," said TGHNSLSC secretary Maxine Cook in his nomination form.
President of TGHNSLSC Steve Howell said he was pleased that out of the five members nominated three were recognised with awards of excellence.