L to R: Colleen Silvester with CEO of Volunteering Queensland Mara Basanovic, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Deputy National Commodore Allan Tennent at the Civic Reception. Photo: Supplied.
BY HARVEY SHORE
Over a hundred past and present Coast Guard volunteers from the Manly Flotilla crowded into the Balmoral Room at Brisbane’s City Hall to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Brisbane Coast Guard.
They ranged from two of the original Founding Fathers – Lamberto Macchion and Brian Shanks – to Michael Watkin, the Sergeant at Arms in Queensland Parliament, to several of the latest recruits.
Adrian Schrinner, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, heaped praise on Manly’s Coast Guard volunteers for their magnificent record of service and rescue work, noting that thousands of boaties had been rescued and hundreds of lives saved by them over the years. He also mentioned several members by name, including Wynnum’s Steve Creevey, who has earned two National Bravery Awards during his time as a local Coast Guard volunteer.
The Lord Mayor said people like Steve made him proud to be Patron of the Flotilla.
Allan Tennent, Coast Guard’s Deputy National Commodore, presented a special plaque to the Flotilla for its 50 years of outstanding community service.
Manly volunteer Rick Holder organised commemorative notebooks, to go with the commemorative pens and special ‘History of Brisbane Coast Guard’ which he produced for every guest, and Mara Basanovic, the CEO of Volunteering Queensland, came along to present guests with a special ‘V for Volunteering’ pin, designed by the man who created the Qantas logo.
Overall, the Coast Guard volunteers reported enjoying an excellent evening, embellished with a great collegial buzz which left everyone smiling!
