Surf lifesavers celebrate the life of Gary Terrell

Mr Terrell joined Point Lookout Surf Life Saving Club at age 16 in 1968 and was an active surf lifesaver for more than 40 years and a volunteer crew member of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service.

He performed more than 2,200 volunteer patrol hours in this aircraft. Also one of the pioneers of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, Mr Terrell successfully extended the service to cover North Stradbroke Island.

Gary's partner of more than 15 years Leith Goebel, family and friends joined lifesavers and club members at Point Lookout  for the ceremony, which included the delivery of a wreath from the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service. The wreath was then be paddled out to sea by lifesavers to celebrate a man who dedicated his life to the lifesaving cause.

Chief operating officer of Surf Life Saving Queensland George Hill said he would class Mr Terrall as a hero.

Mr Terrell’s service was recognised earlier in July when he was taken for his final flight on a Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter patrol flight over the Redlands to North Stradbroke Island before returning to Cleveland. The flight left from Ormiston State School after the crew spoke with students about surf safety.

All of Mr Terrell’s  service to lifesaving was as a volunteer and in his time, he assisted people who had fallen off cliffs, been stabbed, hurt themselves camping and were road crash victims. He also included conducting life guard audits for clubs from Port Douglas to Point Lookout and running youth development camps.

Mr Terrell will also be remembered by many club members who had trained.

“I joined as a Little Nipper in the mid-1970s and we were taught how to keep safe, do rescues safely and work as a team. Gary was an integral part of that training. He was a very well respected member who shared his knowledge and life experience with members,” Chief operating officer of Surf Life Saving Queensland George Hill said.