Australian Lifeguard magazine - Surf Life Saving Australia

fromlifeguardingto paramedicsPhoto: Sarah LawrenceIn 2009 Lachie Holbery-Morgan achieved whatno one in surf life saving had done before. At the annualAwards of Excellence he was awarded DHL Lifeguard ofthe Year and DHL Lifesaver of the year – rewarding himfor his commitment and professionalism as both a paidlifeguard and volunteer lifesaver. LIFEGUARD rovingreporter SARAH LAWRENCE chatted to Lachie about hischange in professional career – but don’t worry he’s notlost to lifesaving.By Sarah LawrenceAfter being awarded Australian Surf Life Saver of the Year in2009, Anglesea’s Lachie Holbery-Morgan has not stopped toslow down. The 26 year old has fulfilled his dream of becominga paramedic this year as part of a training program whilefinishing his last two years of study. “I’ve found it to be a reallyhumbling and rewarding experience. After life guarding for8 years, to see things from a paramedic perspective hasbeen incredible.”Holbery-Morgan is one of the most enthusiastic and dedicatedlife savers on the surf coast of Victoria. On the volunteer side hehas dedicated hundreds of hours volunteering as Chief Instructorand now a Director of Rescue Services at the Anglesea Surf LifeSaving Club. In his professional involvement, he completed hisgold medallion at 18 then progressed to being a lifeguard, seniorlifeguard and instructor for others wanting to complete theirgold. He also was named 2008 Victorian Lifeguard of the Year.It only seemed natural to him to continue his passion for helpingpeople by studying paramedics.“I get great satisfaction from helping people – it’s the same withparamedics and life saving,” said Holbery-Morgan. There is somuch to learn with it too. If you think you have learnt it all orenough, you are kidding yourself.” I was always interested inparamedics. I wanted to do it when I finished school however atthe time you had to be older so I went to study science/geologyat The University of Melbourne before changing over threeyears ago,” he said.He believes his life saving experience has put him in good steadfor dealing with the high pressures of ambulance work. “Withlife saving, you learn and teach CPR as well as first aid with thehope that you will never have to do it. But with paramedics thereis a frequency to use it more often and this has added a greaterdepth to my skills and knowledge. And just like lifeguarding,you work with one person for an extended period but it’s coolbecause everyone is like-minded.“I enjoy the challenge. It is different every day, theclinical and analytical thinking.”Holbery-Morgan’s also attributes his love for the role ofparamedic and lifeguard coming from liking to do things ata grass roots level. “I’d rather be on the beach patrolling ortraining Bronze groups than sitting in a board meeting,” hesaid. Having to work and live in Melbourne has not dampenedHolbery-Morgan’s passion for the coast as he looks forward tocontinuing volunteer patrolling over summer. “On days off, I goback to Anglesea to get down the coast and relax. It’s like a miniholiday, I try to fit in as much as possible – swimming, riding andsurfing. This year Anglesea won Surf Life Saving Club of the yearso it’s a great place to be over summer,” he said.32 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011