The Royal Life Saving Society of Western Australia is a member-based organisation with over 40,000 members throughout WA.

The Western Australia Honours Awards Criteria have been implemented to actively recognise the volunteers, members, non-members, professional officers and staff who make valuable contributions to the Society, through a variety of award presentations throughout the year.

The Royal Life Saving WA Honours and Awards Committee meets on a bi-monthly basis to review selected members who have been nominated for an award by various Royal Life Saving departments. Successful nominations are presented to the Royal Life Saving WA Board for endorsement.

Nomination Criteria

All awards are reviewed by the WA Honours and Awards Committee and a recommendation made to the Board for endorsement. All awards are issued at the absolute discretion of Royal Life Saving. There are four categories of awards:

Member Awards

Western Australia Certificate of Thanks



  • Available to individuals or organisations
  • Minimum two years of service as a member

Western Australia Associate Member Award



  • Available only to individuals
  • Performed a service/involvement as a member
  • Minimum of five years service

Western Australia Fellow Member Award



  • Available only to individuals
  • Performed a service/involvement as a member
  • Minimum of 10 years service

Western Australia Companion Member Award



  • Available only to individuals
  • Performed a high level of service/involvement as an active member
  • Minimum of 15 years service

Western Australia Guardian Member Award



  • Available only to individuals
  • Performed a high level of service/involvement as an active member
  • Minimum of 20 years service
  • Nominations will be received by the Board of Directors and CEO

Professional Officers and Staff Awards

Western Australia Service Order



  • A past or present professional officer or a member of staff who has supported and assisted the activities of Royal Life Saving WA
  • Minimum of five years service

Western Australia Long Service Order



  • A past or present professional officer or a member of staff who has supported and assisted the activities of Royal Life Saving WA
  • Minimum of 10 years service

Western Australia Meritorious Service Order



  • A past or present professional officer or a member of staff who has significantly contributed and actively supported the activities of Royal Life Saving WA
  • Minimum of 15 years service

Western Australia Outstanding Service Order



  • A past or present professional officer or a member of staff who has significantly contributed and actively supported the activities of Royal Life Saving WA
  • Nominations will be received by the Board of Directors and CEO
  • Minimum of 20 years service

Volunteer Awards

Western Australia Certificate of Thanks



  • Available to individuals or organisations
  • Minimum one year of service

Western Australia President Award



  • To recognise exceptional service or contributions of organisations, clubs, schools, individuals etc.
  • To recognise significant contributions made to the operations of Royal Life Saving WA
  • The organisation, individual, club or school promotes Royal Life Saving WA in a positive manner
Levels:
1. WA President Award (Colin Hassell Award)
2. WA President Award (Craig Bell Award)
3. WA President Award (Heather McGowan Award)

Western Australia Associate Award



  • Available only to individuals
  • Performed a service/involvement as an active volunteer
  • Minimum three years' service

Western Australia Fellow Award



  • Available only to individuals
  • Performed a service/involvement as an active volunteer
  • Minimum of seven years' service

Western Australia Companion Award



  • Available only to individuals
  • Performed a high level of service/involvement as an active volunteer
  • Minimum of 10 years high level service

Western Australian Meritorious Service Medal



  • Available only to individuals
  • Performed outstanding service/involvement as an active volunteer
  • Minimum of 13 years' outstanding service

Western Australian Meritorious Service Cross



  • Available only to individuals
  • Performed outstanding service/involvement as an active volunteer
  • Minimum of 17 years' outstanding service

Honorary Life Governor



  • Available only to individuals
  • Minimum of 21 years' active service involvement
  • Nominations will be received by the Board of Directors and CEO
  • Nominees must be exemplary representatives of Royal Life Saving WA and have contributed in a substantial and measurable way to our mission

Community Awards

Aquatic Safety Advocate



  • Available to individuals or organisations
  • The organisation/individual actively promotes drowning prevention in the community
  • Actions may include advocacy, providing water safety education, supporting participation in aquatic activities or otherwise contributing to drowning prevention efforts in the WA community
  • To be eligible for an Aquatic Safety Advocate Award, the organisation/individual must not meet the requirements of any other Royal Life Saving WA Honours Award (professional officer/staff, member or volunteer)