A lifetime in Surf Life Saving

The late Con Asmussen joined the Surf Life Saving movement in 1939, attracted by the comradeship and spirit of competition he’d first observed during visits to Illawarra’s Stanwell Park beach. He gained his Bronze Medallion the following year.

Over the years he was elected to many senior positions, on occasions reluctantly so, as he often mistakenly believed that someone else could do a better job.

Con is renowned for stating that we all get more from Surf Life Saving than we put in.

In addition to a long and distinguished history with the Helensburgh-Stanwell Park SLSC, Con was Illawarra’s delegate to the NSW State Centre for 15 years (1949 to 1964) and was State delegate to the National Council for 20 years (1958 – 1978). He was elected NSW Deputy President for two seasons (1965 & 1966) and then NSW President for a record 12 seasons from 1967 to 1978.

He was awarded Life Membership of Helensburgh-Stanwell Park in 1950, Illawarra Branch in 1962, Surf Life Saving NSW in 1963, Surf Life Saving Australia in1966 and was awarded an MBE in 1972. He also received an Australian Sports Medal in 2000.

Con was involved in pioneering many of the major changes and innovations within Surf Life Saving, from the introduction of inflatable rescue boats and helicopters, to the acceptance of women as active patrolling surf lifesavers in the 80s.

Con was one of the original inductees into the SLSA’s Hall of Fame in 2004. By this stage Con had lived in northern NSW for some time and was a Life Member of the Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore SLSC.

In March this year, Con was one of a handful of surf sports officials who were honoured at a special dinner held during the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships at Kingscliff. Con was presented with a plaque acknowledging his contribution as an official for more than 50 years.

Even into his ninth decade, Con remained very much involved in Surf Life Saving, taking on active administration and leadership roles within the Far North Coast Branch and the Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore SLSC.

At 96, Con was still assisting with administrative tasks at the Ballina club and as recently as a week or so ago, attended the Branch AGM and the Awards of Excellence, demonstrating his dedication to the organisation he said had given him so much.

Con will be greatly missed by many people and his passing is a significant loss to the Surf Life Saving movement in NSW.