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Harry Mellor’s encouragement of young people into surf lifesaving was recognised last month when he was named Volunteer of the Year by Surf Lifesaving NZ.
Harry has been with Red Beach Surf Lifesaving Club since he joined the Nippers at the age of seven. Now, at 22, he is already ‘a veteran’, mentoring up-and-coming lifeguards.
He was presented with the award, ahead of eight other finalists from around the country, at Surf Lifesaving NZ’s Awards of Excellence, at Te Papa in Wellington on Saturday, September 17.
The award ranks with the NZ Lifeguard of the Year, won by Boyd Harris of the Pukehina club, and the NZ Rescue of the Year, won by The Muriwai Lifeguard Service.
Red Beach Surf Club spokesperson Ross Malyon says Harry exemplifies the power of volunteering.
He has numerous volunteer roles both with the club and regionally, including head instructor of Northern Region’s Intermediate Lifeguard School, and head mentor of Northern Region’s Youth Development Camp, as well as several other roles that encourage young people into surf lifesaving.
Harry says he enjoys running the development courses and teaching the younger ones.
“I was lucky enough to have great mentors when I was growing up and I wanted to give back myself,” he says.
Harry is studying towards a Master of Architecture degree and juggles his studies with paid summer lifeguarding and his volunteering roles.
He says the skills he’s learnt from volunteering at Red Beach have been invaluable to his studies and career aspirations.
