Life’s a beach for Glen
The Everald Compton Community Champion Medal nominee remains busy and active as he mentors a new generation.
About the medal
The Everald Compton Community Champion Medal is a distinguished accolade established to acknowledge the unsung heroes among older Australians.
The medal honours National Seniors Australia’s Founding Father’s long standing and outstanding contribution to the Australian community while celebrating everyday champions who are “turning grey into gold” with grassroot experiences and selfless contributions that make a significant difference in their communities.
It also reflects NSA’s values of fairness, excellence, and respect exemplified by Everald’s own experience and achievements.
The award will be announced on 1 October, which is the International Day of the Older Person.
For more information about the award, including how to make a nomination, click here.
Summer weekends and school holidays in Australia are synonymous with the beach. And when we think of the beach, we should also think of the volunteers who give up their time to keep us safe.
Surf lifesaving has a proud tradition not just in Australia, but around the world – including in South Africa, where Glen Scott began this lifelong calling before moving to Australia a few decades ago.
National Seniors spoke to Glen recently after he was nominated by a friend for the Everald Compton Community Medal. We heard a story of dedication to service and mentorship through lifesaving and other activities.
Glen became a life member of his South African surf club before migrating to South Australia, where he has been with Grange Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) since 2011.
He has served on beach patrol and as a member of the Masters Boat Rowers team, which has notched up many victories.
“We’ve been successful in the state championships every year for the past 11 years,” he said.
Currently, he’s been competing in the 260+ class – which is where the ages of the four team members add up to 260 or more.
At 74, Glen also does his share of patrolling the beach at Grange in the swimming season from October to April.
“Every year we have to do a proficiency test for patrolling season,” he said. “It’s no different whether you’re 14 or 16 or my age. We all do the same test.
“I’m still patrolling after all this time.”
He’s also a coach and mentor to younger rowers, deputy president of Grange SLSC, and a board member of Surf Life Saving South Australia. As a volunteer, he manages club functions and events, and, as chair of the building committee, oversees maintenance of the club’s beachfront property.
“I have quite a bit of time on my hands, and I really enjoy the opportunity of giving back,” he explained.
His community activities aren’t limited to lifesaving activities. When he’s not on the beach, Glen serves on the board of Karate Australia, where he is pushing for the sport to be included as a full-time Olympics event.
But that’s not all. He also works part-time in his own engineering consultancy business.
Although he had major surgery just two years ago – “I bounced back pretty quickly” – Glen has no intention of slowing down.
“Surf lifesaving has served me pretty well,” he said. “The movement keeps us young at heart and fit.”
