Douglas Shire stalwart John Clifford recognised, honoured after years of marine, community service

WELL DONE

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John Clifford, left, receives his life membership certificate from MRPD president Ross, while Treasurer, Terry Richards, looks on. Pictures: Supplied

A stalwart of Marine Rescue Port Douglas, John Clifford, was awarded life membership at the recent AGM for his long (15-year) voluntary service to the organisation and to the Douglas community in general.

“John brought a unique mixture of much-needed military discipline mixed with a wry and sometimes mischievous sense of humour to our organisation," MRPD president Ross Wood said.

“He served as deputy commander, commander and secretary (an office he still holds) during his 15 years and he has been thoroughly engaged in one of MRPD’s most important community endeavours: the training of students from Mossman State High School to gain their coxwain’s certificate.”

Mr Wood noted at the AGM that Marine Rescue PD had, since the program began in 2019 trained more than 50 students to coxwain’s grade, more than a dozen of whom had gone to get a commercial skipper’s qualification and a job in the industry.

Mr Wood said that MRPD was undergoing a significant administrative change in coming, alongside other marine rescue volunteer groups, under the umbrella of Queensland Police Service.

He said that the change would bring more resources into marine rescue operations out of Port Douglas and these would rub off to helping community events. An immediate example was MRPD’s maritime presence at Saturday’s outrigger canoe race from Yorkey’s Knob to Ellis Beach and next Saturday’s race from Yorkey’s to Port Douglas.

Two weeks ago, Cairns Water Police engaged in a joint exercise with MRPD simulating a rescue in the Snapper-Low-Port Douglas triangle which demonstrated the value of disciplined training in covering a large rescue area in a very short, life-critical time.

Volunteering was important to the community and should be recognised, he said.

“John’s contribution over the years to the administration of the effective provision of rescue assistance and the support of community events is deeply appreciated by his fellow volunteers and the wider community," he said.

The Cairns Water Police vessel during the joint exercise with MRPD.

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