With more than 5,800 volunteer hours under her belt, Lynda Barry OAM has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her relentless work in lifeguard training.
A Lifetime on the Sand
Lynda Barry began her journey with the Caloundra City Life Saving Club in 1989 and has since become a fixture of the local coastline. Over nearly four decades, she moved from a patrolling member to taking on leadership roles, including serving as the Club Captain for twenty years.
Her work has not been limited to the beach itself; she has also spent a significant portion of her life as a trainer, teaching others the vital skills of first aid and resuscitation. By mid-2025, her records showed she had completed over 5,800 hours of volunteer patrol work, a feat that led to her being named a Life Member of her club.
Teaching the Next Generation
Beyond her own time on patrol, Barry has focused heavily on the future of Australian lifesaving. Since 2002, she has led junior lifeguard programs, helping young people find their own path into the service. She has also worked with the Royal Life Saving Society Queensland in various roles, from managing state teams at national competitions to acting as a referee for beach carnivals.
Her influence even reached overseas when she travelled to China in 2010 to help train a delegation in Xiamen. Her professional life similarly revolved around supporting young people, including a long career as a teacher and her ongoing work with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
National Recognition for Community Impact
The announcement of her Medal of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 2026 served as a formal acknowledgement of her 37 years of dedication. Barry described the award as a significant honour that felt like a final reward for her years of teamwork. She noted that the true value of her work comes from the personal satisfaction of helping the community and being part of a team that puts others first.
This latest accolade follows a string of previous awards, including a National Medal in 2025 and her induction into a local community Hall of Fame, all of which highlight her status as a pillar of the Mango Hill and Caloundra areas.
Published Date 03-March-2026
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