Ian Brougham joins Marine Rescue Port Macquarie unit

Ian Brougham moved to Port Macquarie with his wife and two children five years ago and decided to undertake training to be a Marine Rescue Port Macquarie recruit in 2021.

"I wanted to serve the community," he said.

Mr Brougham was one of three new recruits who completed their assessment on Monday, December 13.

He has a military background with the US Defense and was based in Washington.

"I served 14 years in conflict zones, so wherever there was conflict the United Nations was involved in, or the United States had an imprint," he said.

However his service in the military left him with mental health issues and he was attracted to the slower pace of life in Port Macquarie to retire.

"It was rewarding but in the end it broke me," he said.

"I wanted a healthier place for the children to grow up in."

Mr Brougham said the Marine Rescue Port Macquarie Unit is a professional organisation, where members put a lot of time and commitment into roles, to ensure they serve the community in the best way possible.

Mr Brougham's background within the military has transferred well to his training within the unit.

His assessment was completed in rough conditions where the swell on the water was choppy.

"When push comes to shove and there's someone who needs to be helped or save, you need to be able to work in all conditions," he said.

Mr Brougham said it's been eye opening as to how much volunteers within the Marine Rescue unit do as part of their duties.

"As a volunteer organisation, it's non-stop where they work tirelessly across seven days in the week," he said.

"I'm super proud to be attached to this organisation."

Marine Rescue Port Macquarie training officer Ali Cameron-Brown said they've had a steady intake of new recruits in 2021.

"We've always been a popular group to join and we do get good people come through, who are keen to take part and contribute to their community," she said.

"Crew training is quite intensive as there's a lot that goes into it.

"It requires people to have commitment and give up full days."

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