Last week Noosa Coast Guard’s long-time trainer, Tony Taylor turned 90.
Tony has been with the QF5 Flotilla here for 25 years as a crew member, Master and Commander and is still active as the Flotilla’s senior trainer.
His latest batch of recruits, four ladies known as Tony’s Angels, all took their pledges last week and have been assigned to crews.
Tony’s wife, Iris, has worked the radio room for almost as long as Tony and for a while, outranked him in the Flotilla.
Between them they have logged and completed thousands of rescues in the region.
Both have been committed volunteers for The Australian Coast Guard, with thousands of rescues under their belts in the local region, which extends north to Double Island Point and south to Point Arkwright and includes the Noosa River and lakes systems.
At his surprise party thrown by his Sharks Crew on the weekend, Flotilla commander Ian Hutchings says Tony had been an invaluable source of knowledge and experience to the volunteer organisation.
Tony responded by saying he had “loved every minute of it”.
He plans to continue training new volunteers for Noosa but is considering easing up on active boat duty.
“I have trouble bending my knees to pass the CPR exam now,” he said smiling.
That would be the only thing stopping him.
