An email from Kim Mallett to Surf Life Saving:
To Surf Life Saving,
I am writing to express my gratitude for the leadership, management and bravery that your duty officer Anthony Bellette displayed during the New Years Eve fires, and I can only assume hours afterwards and continuing into this week.
I am a former ACT police officer of close to 10 years and was a first responder during the 2003 ACT Bushfires. In my teenage years I was also a lifeguard at Brunswick Heads Surf Life Saving Club so the gravity of the situation over those 24-36 hours is not lost on me. There is no doubt his actions and that of his team saved 100s of lives.
I evacuated Rosedale with my friends and my two children 12 and 14 to Malua Bay about 0700 on Tuesday 31 December 2019. We spent the next 28hours at the location. During that time Anthony acted above and beyond his duties as a surf lifesaver, displayed a calm and confident presence and took command and control of the situation across many elements. I believe he showed leadership qualities and emergency management skills beyond his years and his general responsibilities as a surf lifesaver. Clearly he is an asset to Surf Life Saving and the South Coast community.
I watched the wider team operate over that period, for someone that is used to being in command that was difficult. My first priority that day was the safety of my children and our friends. But I felt comfortable and trusted their guidance, advice and actions which does not come lightly for me. The entire team that was on duty that day are a credit to SLSNSW. From coordinating volunteers to applying first aid, comforting those who were in a state of panic and emotional, providing food, communication and fighting the fire to protect our new safe haven in the club.
I am acutely aware that the location was never intended be an evacuation center, nor were they resourced to be able to support the number of people who influxed the area. With this limited capability they still did everything they could to ensure we had water, food, shelter and protection.
They should all be commended for their efforts, and SLSNSW should be proud of the people they have representing their organisation. Whilst not entirely related to water safety, they certainly executed the organisations mission to save lives.
From my family to yours, thank you!
Kim Mallett
Give thanks to volunteer surf lifesavers like Anthony Bellette today!
