WHY DID I JOIN the AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEER COAST GUARD?
Philip Beeston
NF-03 KURING GAI FLOTILLA
Why did I join the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard?
Formerly a commercial real estate agent in the UK I retired early and
emigrated to Sydney in 2003 when my family made it clear they would all
eventually settle in Australia. I have a son Matthew living in the Eastern
suburbs, a daughter in the UK and another daughter, Caroline, currently
living with her husband in Kalgoorlie, WA.
Now aged 56 and a keen boatie for many years I have a Bayliner sports cruiser
berthed at Akuna Bay, in the Ku-ring Gai National Park. It was on visits
here that I became aware of the Volunteer Coast Guard and joined in 2004.
The Coast Guard gave me a great opportunity to become familiar with the
Broken Bay and Hawkesbury waters and to improve my boating skills under
expert tutelage. There is a great sense of camaraderie within the Ku-ring
Gai Flotilla and our weekend duties are enjoyable for the assistance we
can provide to the public and also the development of teamwork within the
volunteers. Just over a year in, I have completed the first stage of training
as "Competent Crew" and look forward to greater challenges to come.
Philip Beeston