National Medal given to coast guard matriarch Barbara Heazlewood

Barb founded the Coast Guard after her husband Gerald "Prop" and her son David tragically died in a boating accident on January 13, 2000. Vowing to never let the same thing happen to any other person, Barb became a fierce sea safety advocate for the region.

The medal is only awarded to those who have given fifteen years of volunteer service to protect and assist their community, for members of qualified search and rescue groups.

"I've always said 'if we save one person, everything we've been through will be worth it'," she said.

"It's the best feeling being able to help people and I love being a part of it."

Barb has been involved in various sea rescues over the years, mostly relaying with water police over the radio. On one occasion she helped to tow in a heavily pregnant woman whose boat had broken down at sea. On another she helped to relay information after six men became stuck during a Port Fairy yacht race.

"I was out there at midnight," she said.

"They just couldn't get out because the water was so choppy. I was so worried what was happening with them, eventually another yacht came to pluck them out and it turned out okay."

Despite spending almost two decades volunteering, Barb said she had no plans to leave Coast Guard.

"People say if anyone took the boat they'd need to bring bolt cutters because they'd have to cut Barbara off the front of it."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: