National Commodore
Chris Gillett first joined the Kur-ring-gai Flotilla or NF3, [that operates on Broken Bay NSW] in1987 and being a school teacher was soon "volunteered" to assist with the production and running of our Public Instruction Courses. Chris had a certain style that was laid back, informative and easily understood so it stood to reason that it wasn't long before he became involved in other forms of training which were most effective.Chris soon found out how easily it is to get heavily involved in volunteer work especially when one derives great enjoyment from doing what you do and the whole ethos of community involvement and volunteerism. He has achieved the highest operational rating, that of Patrol Officer. As a result, he ended up on the NSW Squadron Board as Staff Captain [Purser to the layman] and then onto Squadron Commodore.
In this role he represented the Squadron at the National Board level. Also at this level he became a member of the NSW Volunteer Marine Rescue Council and was then elected as Chairman with a seat on the State Rescue Board of NSW and was responsible for making a substantial contribution the Marine Rescue Policy.
As one who has respect for traditional values he used the building blocks laid by past successful members of the National Board, together with being prepared to make progressive changes and not change for the sake of change. He saw the opportunity was appropriate to move the Association forward by looking at the wider picture through the windows of opportunity as they occurred and was consequentially elected as National Commodore.
Being aware that "one man bands" never last, with the assistance of the Board we have retained our status of the Association being the largest single volunteer marine rescue and marine education organisation in the Southern Hemisphere, whilst still moving forward with innovative progress.
Chris is not one to actively seek recognition but I believe that in recognition of his substantial contributions not only to the Association but also to Emergency Management within the Marine Rescue Industry, he has been awarded the Emergency Services Medal, National Medal, Centenary Medal and International Year of the Volunteer Medal.
An anonymous observer.