2017 Rotary Emergency Services Awards Volunteer of the Year Kim Rayner

Kim Rayner can be called at anytime to assist in emergency situations but she says it’s part of her job. 

“We’re not there to collect hours or awards it’s just that we have that experience and knowledge behind us,” she said. 

Mrs Rayner was jointly awarded the title of 2017 Volunteer of the Year with Bruce Blackburn at the Rotary Emergency Services Awards night at Panthers Port Macquarie on May 3.  

She said it has become part of her role as a duty officer for Surf Life Saving Mid North Coast to expect to be called out to all kinds of situations to assist. She attended one incident at midnight in the pouring rain off the Port Macquarie breakwall to assist police with a missing person. 

Mrs Rayner also helps club members in the aftermath of an emergency situation through debriefing sessions. 

Mrs Rayner started with the branch in Port Macquarie in 2003. 

In 1980 Mrs Rayner was one of the first women to receive her bronze medallion. 

“Females weren’t allowed before then,” she said. 

Over the years Mrs Rayner said she has noticed some major changes to surf life saving. 

“It’s good to see more females getting involved with it,” she said. 

“It is also really good to have younger members coming through and being able to show those kids what they can achieve.” 

Mrs Rayner said she has contact with members of all ages who are enthusiastic about taking on courses to develop their skills and knowledge. 

She said Surf Life Saving NSW is a very inclusive organisation which encourages people to gain awards and certificates. 

Mrs Rayner said people do not need their bronze medallion to help on patrols. There are many different roles people can carry out as a volunteer. 

“If you’re in a wheel chair and you want to volunteer we can put you on as a radio operator,” she said. 

Mrs Rayner’s husband is also a duty officer, one of her daughters is a patrol captain at Tacking Point SLSC and her youngest daughter is director of education at Tacking Point SLSC. 

“It’s a family affair to us,” she said.