Surf life saver wins volunteer award
Ocean Beach surf life saver Aaron Camp was awarded Gosford Council's Individual Volunteer Australia Day Community Award at a ceremony held on Sunday, January 23, at Laycock St Theatre.
Mr Camp was nominated by his fiancee, 2010 Central Coast Lifesaver of the Year Ms Katie Dixon, for his volunteer roles in surf lifesaving.
"I was thrilled to be nominated but did not imagine having a chance of winning the award, given the many dedicated individuals in our community."
Among Mr Camp's roles, he is a patrol captain at Ocean Beach, surf lifesaving director of marketing, Ocean Beach surf lifesaving youth liaison officer, surf lifesaving Central Coast youth facilitator, Central Coast SurfCom operator and Central Coast duty officer as well as a contributor to the surf lifesaving Australia 14 to 17 youth program development team.
Mr Camp is a medical researcher studying vision and balance, and organises career development activities for young researchers and students.
He also coordinates and delivers brain awareness week activities to high school students on the Central Coast and is a partner in the CSIRO scientists in schools program.
Mr Camp said his activities revolved around personal and professional development and began 10 years ago when he had his first experience demonstrating in an anatomy class at the University of Newcastle.
"I found I enjoyed passing on my knowledge and was good at finding ways to help students understand," he said.
Mr Camp is now a lecturer in anatomy at Sydney University.
"I am very aware that I am not the best scientist or teacher or surf lifesaver, but what I really try to do is help and encourage those around me achieve as much as they can.
"In that way my contribution might be that one of those people goes on to cure blindness or vertigo or saves a life on the beach," said Mr Camp.
"I have made many and varied mistakes and I am quite willing to highlight those so others don't have to make them," he said.
Kaitlin Watts, 1 Feb 2011
Interviewee: Aaron Camp