After 24 years as a lifeguard at Gunnedah Memorial Pool, Stephen Steele has decided to call it a day and move steadily into retirement after 40 years as a Gunnedah Shire Council employee.
Steve trained as a lifeguard after the closure of the Gunnedah Abattoir, completing his bronze life-saving medallion and first aid course, along with courses in pool operations, food handling, fire safety and protection, money handling and emergency procedures. CPR and lifeguard updates were completed each year and in more recent years, instruction in COVID safety.
Council and pool staff gathered recently for a farewell along with family members, regular pool patrons and former pool staff.
Stephen was presented with this framed lifeguard shirt as a retirement gift after his two decades of service.
The popular pool attendant was presented with an autographed lifeguard shirt framed for posterity, with thanks for his commitment over the years and best wishes for the future.
Looking back over the years, Steve said one of his most memorable moments was the day lightning hit a tree near the old toddlers’ pool – it was the fastest he had seen the pool empty. Steve has also had to perform a number of rescues over the years.
Steve says his future plans include ‘relaxing’ and waiting for his wife Deb to retire, while completing jobs around their home. He is also keen to spend more time with daughter and son-in-law Samie and Ben Ferris who live at Lakewood, while son Luke and his wife Lisa live locally and they have been able to be part of the lives of their two grandchildren Andre and Tahnee.
Stephen was presented with this framed lifeguard shirt as a retirement gift after his two decades of service.
