Marine Rescue Ballina honours volunteers with highest service award
Three stalwarts recognised for a combined 73 years keeping local boaties safe
Marine Rescue Ballina has paid tribute to three of its most dedicated volunteers, awarding Life Membership — the organisation’s highest honour — to Lorraine Leuckel, Norm Lannoy and John Donoghue.
Life Membership is granted only in exceptional circumstances, and Unit Commander Peter Hill said the recognition reflects an extraordinary level of commitment to the safety of local waterways.
“Lorraine, Norm and John have devoted countless hours, immense skill and unwavering commitment to Marine Rescue NSW,” he said at a special ceremony in their honour at the Ballina RSL on Saturday.
“Their leadership and professionalism set a powerful example for every volunteer. Ballina is privileged to have three volunteers of such calibre.”
Commander Hill said the trio had strengthened the unit over decades and helped ensure the safety of thousands of boaters on the Richmond River and offshore.
“Today we honour Lorraine, Norm and John, but their achievements also reflect the wider spirit of teamwork that defines Marine Rescue Ballina.”
Marine Rescue Ballina now has 85 active volunteers.
Life Membership recipients
LORRAINE LEUCKEL — 21 years of service
Lorraine joined Marine Rescue Ballina in 2004 as a Radio Operator and quickly became one of the most relied-on members of the unit.
Over the next two decades she took on major training and leadership roles — guiding volunteers through first aid, radio operations and formal qualifications.
Lorraine served five years on boat crew, including on Ballina’s first all-female crew, and later stepped into the Deputy Unit Commander role during the transition to the new tower in 2016.
She also managed membership for six years and remains a highly respected mentor whose steady leadership has shaped the culture of the unit.
John Donoghue and Lorraine Leuckel had the honours of unveiling the plaque when the new Marine Rescue tower was opened – pictured with former Deputy Premier Troy Grant and Member for Page Kevin Hogan
NORM LANNOY — 27 years of service
Norm began his volunteer service in 1998 with the Coast Guard, moving through radio operations, crew roles and advanced training before becoming Coxswain in 2005.
He served as the final Coast Guard Unit Commander in Ballina and later became the first Unit Commander under the Marine Rescue NSW banner.
Norm completed the theory for his Master Class 5 in 2017 and went on to train and assess hundreds of volunteers across the region.
Even after stepping back from command and training duties this year, he continues to serve on radio and remains widely admired for his depth of knowledge and unwavering commitment.
JOHN DONOGHUE — 25 years of service
John joined the Coast Guard in 1999 and quickly became a central figure in regional safety and planning.
He played a key role in the development of the Ballina Control Tower, completed in 2016, and spent years overseeing safety procedures for neighbouring units at Yamba, Evans Head, Byron Bay and Kingscliff.
He delivered water and fire safety training across the coast, wrote regional refuelling procedures and served as Ballina’s Unit Commander for three years.
More recently he has overseen maintenance and safety systems within the Ballina unit, ensuring volunteers have reliable equipment and safe operating protocols.
Safety message for summer
With summer approaching, Commander Hill urged all boaters to make Logging On with Marine Rescue NSW part of their routine.
“Boaters can Log On using the free Marine Rescue app or VHF Channel 16.
If you don’t return as planned, we can start searching immediately,” he said.
It only takes a minute to protect a lifetime.”
Marine Rescue NSW is a volunteer-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to keeping boaters safe on the water.
Norm Lannoy – still working as radio controller – pictured with NSW Marine Rescue Inspector John Murray
