Gibbons honoured

PETER Gibbons was the big winner at this year’s OtagoSouthland surf lifesaving regional awards.

The St Kilda lifeguard won the lifeguard of the year award, in recognition of his dedication to surf lifesaving.

Gibbons was celebrated for a multitude of tasks over his 40plus year tenure, most recently his influence in the patrols at Tomahawk Beach this year.

That proved valuable as, in a mass rescue at the beach, seven people were returned to shore after being dragged away in a flash rip.

He was also recognised for the Tomahawk patrols — alongside James Coombes and Cameron Burrow — with the innovation of the year award.

Dave Bourke was the other St Kilda winner, named surf official of the year.

The St Clair club dominated the awards: talented youngster Erika Fairweather won sportsperson of the year; its women’s under20 IRB crew won sports team of the year; Isaac Davies claimed coach of the year; Jackson Aluesi was named event guard of the year; and Chris Haig won instructor/examiner of the year.

Oreti’s Sarah Ball won the volunteer of the year prize, and Brighton’s Blake Porteous won the regional lifeguard of the year award.

Rescue of the year went to the Otago search and rescue call out team, for its work during the Taieri floods.