FORDE, Vincent (Vin) James (AM)

This tribute is written on behalf of your friends in the Royal Life Saving Society Australia – ordinary members, instructors. examiners. Branch and national counsellors, members of the staff, and the Australian community who know what you have done for Life Saving.

We congratulate you most heartily on your more than 60 years of unbroken service to the Society, and we express our deep and lasting gratitude.

Yours was a tremendous contribution, not only to the Society itself, but also to the whole community.

Your quiet dedication has made it possible for so many to do so much for hundreds of thousands of our young boys and girls, men and women.

It has been youth work at its best. Your courtesy, your organisation, your preparation, your wise and firm decisions have been, and still are, of immense value to the community.

You were made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for your services to the Australian community and to lifesaving. You were awarded every Meritorious Award of the Royal Life Saving Society at State, National and Commonwealth level, and you were one of only four recipients in Australia to receive the HRH Prince Michael Award for conspicuous and dedicated service.

We have been very fortunate indeed to have had you with us and you will be revered always.