It is with great pleasure that we would like to announce that the 2022 recipient of the King Edward VII Cup is Mr Norman Farmer AM ESM from Australia.
Although a junior member of the Mentone Life Saving Club when his parents were involved, Norm’s keen interest in lifesaving started in his late-teens when he joined the Mordialloc Life Saving Club. Since that time Norm has become a familiar face in the Australian and international lifesaving field. Norm has held many roles in lifesaving with RLSS Australia, and within Victoria, Australia: CEO of RLSSA Victoria from 1998 to 2005; joint CEO of Lifesaving Victoria from 2022-2005, and later a volunteer Board member.
Norm has held numerous voluntary roles within the international lifesaving community, particularly at ILS where he was involved between 1994 and 2021, being a Board member and chairing various Commissions and Committees and most recently held the position of President for the Asia Pacific region and a Vice President of ILS from 2016 until 2021.
Norm has been involved in a voluntary capacity in international lifesaving events over many years which include, Chair of the RLSS International Competition Task Force which developed the rules for the 1991 RLSS Centenary Championships and Co-President of the 2007 World Water Safety Conference and member of its Scientific Committee to name but a few.
In 2015, Norm became Honorary Executive Director of the RLSS. He was instrumental in taking forward the Governance Review of the Society and putting policies and processes in place for the Society. He has been a driver for engaging youth and delivering major projects for the RLSS such as Emerging Leaders Events, Regional Workshops, CPR projects and most recently a sponsored project in Malaysia. He has supported the creation of, and led the delivery of the Society’s Strategic Action Plan, and has been involved in many of the projects contained within the plan supporting each Portfolio Director.
As a result of his reputation and wide ranging experience, Norm continues to support and mentor many lifesaving organisations around the world, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.
Norm’s service to RLSS and impact on lifesaving, water safety and drowning prevention over many years has been immense and he is a worthy recipient of the King Edward VII Cup.
I’m sure you will all join us in congratulating Norm on this well-deserved award.
