By Ron Lane
WHEN 48-year-old mother of two Carolyn Lansdown received notice that she had been awarded the National Medal for outstanding service to the communities in which she lived, she was indeed very surprised.
Regarding the award she said: “I am proud to be acknowledged, but I didn’t go expecting medals. You do these things because you enjoy it and you become involved in your community. You also get the opportunity to meet great people.”
The warrant for this award, which was struck in 1975, states that the National Medal is awarded for diligent long service to the community in hazardous circumstances, including in times of emergency and national disaster, in direct protection of life and property.
Originally the award was only available to members of police, fire and ambulance. In 1987, SES members, correction officers and St John Ambulance members were included. Then, in October 2000, surf life saving was also included. Service in this branch could be backdated to 1986.
However Carolyn was not the first in the Lansdown family to be so acknowledged, as four other family members have also received this recognition. The family involvement in firefighting started back in 1939 when two members were involved in major fires.
Born in Croydon, Victoria, Carolyn was educated at the Wanganui State High School and on graduation she enrolled in the university at Bendigo where she undertook a three-year full-time course in outdoor education. During this time she did part-time work at school camps and National Parks.
In 1989, at age 20, her career in voluntary community work really got under way when she joined the CFA (Country Fire Authority) as a volunteer with the Launching Place Rural Fire Brigade.
“I originally joined the CFA because I thought it would help my job prospects. The first thing they asked me was can you drive a truck? I answered no – then they asked, do you want to learn? I was trapped.”
Twelve months later Carolyn shifted to Shepparton, where she became the first female to join the local brigade. However after just six months she shifted to Pakenham where she again joined the local service; and this was also followed by a time in the Nar Nar Goon Brigade
“I think one of the best things about being a brigade member with the CFA, was learning new skills and teaching others. I received training in general firefighting, as well as accredited training in road accidents and trench rescue. Along with this I also taught a CFA Youth Crew and participating in various events.”
It was as a result of her Youth Training (Youth Development Program) that Carolyn received a Commendation from the Chief Officer of the CFA
With regard to her training in firefighting and road accidents: “I found attending to road accidents more rewarding as we were dealing with people”.
Her full-time employment saw her work for some years for National Parks, based in Treasury Place, Melbourne, and also as a training officer for the SES. Then to further her education in her chosen field, she enrolled at Hawthorn Institute for a part-time study course.
During her time at Bendigo, Carolyn in 1987 met Trevor Lansdown, the young man who was to become her husband. They married in 1991 and not long after this they took a leave of absence from their jobs and went backpacking through Europe for six months.
On returning to her normal duties, Carolyn in 2003 obtained her community bronze medallion thus giving her the necessary qualifications to enable her to teach students surf safety.
Then, in 2006, the family which now included two children, a son Lachlan and daughter Emily, arrived in Noosa. Immediately on arrival they joined the Noosa Nippers and after a short time mum and dad joined the senior club and quickly obtained their bronze medallion.
Soon as their children reached bronze age they too joined the senior club and obtained their medallion – thus making the Lansdown clan a fully committed surf club family.
“Yes, Carolyn and I started patrolling in April 2007,” Trevor said. “Now with the kids also doing patrols, three of us have become patrol captains, something of which we are very proud.”
Another mark of pride has been the achievements of their son Lachlan, who on the international level has been winning gold and silver medals as a stock board paddler in both Hawaii and California.
This is no mean achievement as this lad is up against the best in the world.
“To say that we are proud of him is a definite understatement,” said his very proud mum. “He has not only won medals overseas, but also at our state and national level.”
During her time in the Nippers, Carolyn served as a JAC age manager for three years, member of the life saving committee representing the patrol captains, two years on the surf sports committee, during which time she also worked as beach captain.
For the family their home base is Pomona. Carolyn, who now works out in Imbil, continues her career by conducting classes teaching outdoor education for students from the Brisbane Girls Grammar School.
For her outstanding years of service to the CFA, SES and Surf Lifesaving, Carolyn Lansdown National Medal recipient, is proudly one of Our People.
