North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Surf Life Saving stalwarts honoured
Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club may have had a weekend to remember but, for one family, it was particularly special.
The Morrison family were recognised for their service on August 12 at the 2017 Surf Life Saving Northern Region Awards of Excellence.
The event held at Shed 10 on Auckland’s Queen Wharf brought together clubs from Auckland’s Far North, and as far south as Raglan.
Grant Morrison was honoured with a Life Membership shortly after his wife Val and son Danny had been honoured with Distinguished Service Awards.
‘‘A few people came up and said they don’t think they have seen a family recognised like that in the past which is pretty special,’’ Danny said.
Grant Morrison has served Surf Life Saving throughout the North Island for over 50 years.
He has been a member of Lyall Bay, Muriwai, Fitzroy but, most recently, Mairangi Bay after the family moved there 30 years ago.
His wife, Val, has been involved in the sport since 1964 and has since spent almost 30 years serving as a surf sports official in the Northern Region.
The Morrison’s eldest son Danny has been serving as the Mairangi Bay Club’s director of sport and volunteer coach for the past seven years.
However, Danny, who has also competed in the sport, said he has been a member of the Mairangi Bay since he was aged seven and felt a loyalty to club.
‘‘I have always been a member of Mairangi Bay and, from a racing perspective, I have never raced for any other club and my little brother is the same,’’ said Danny.
Celebrations were somewhat bittersweet without younger brother Kevin, who lives on the Gold Coast and who has also been heavily involved in the club; however, Danny was still proud of his parents achievements.
‘‘For them to get recognised was a lot more powerful, I was a lot more proud of them than I was for myself,’’ Danny said.
‘‘We are going to be Mairangi Bay people forever for sure.’’
Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club also received nine sports awards (Astaria Te Aukura, Samuel Poching, Mike Brown, Jason Pocock, Roydon Woodcock, Samalulu Clifton, Danielle McKenzie, Nick Malcolm and Bayden Botha) alongside seven service awards (Duane Dalton, Jackie Grant and Steve Vaughan).