A Mona Vale surf lifesaver whose own rescue inspired a lifetime of service has been recognised as the Northern Beaches Emergency Volunteer of the Year at the 2025 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Michael Gencher, a former Northern Beaches councillor and active patrolling member of Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club, received the award at a ceremony held at Dee Why RSL Club on Friday, 29 August. The event brought together local community leaders, including Federal MP Dr Sophie Scamps, state MPs James Griffin, Jacqui Scruby and Matt Cross, Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins and Councillor Vincent De Luca OAM.
Mr Gencher has contributed thousands of hours to Mona Vale SLSC in various roles, including trainer, assessor, club vice president and 24-hour emergency response member. His commitment to surf lifesaving began after he was rescued by a volunteer lifesaver, an experience that shaped his dedication to community service.
“I obviously don’t do it for the awards. The reward I get is the personal satisfaction and that I sit with two of my kids under the tent, and we spend time together,” Mr Gencher said.
He emphasised the value of passing on the principles of community service to younger generations, noting his pride in watching children he’s known since they were nippers develop into lifesavers themselves.
“There are so many amazing people who do amazing things. What I do, I enjoy so much that I don’t see it as work and I don’t see it as a burden. I greatly enjoy it and to be honest, to be recognised for something that has given me more than I possibly could have given, that’s the reward,” Mr Gencher reflected.
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, hosted by The Centre for Volunteering, are now in their 19th year and celebrate the contributions of thousands of volunteers across the state.
Other Northern Beaches recipients included Avalon Beach’s Mirek Craney, who was named both Northern Beaches Volunteer of the Year and Senior Volunteer of the Year for his work with Can Too charity and Whale Beach SLSC. Adrian Hill from Narrabeen received the Adult Volunteer of the Year award for his work revitalising North Narrabeen SLSC, while Holly Searles from Bilgola Plateau was named Young Volunteer of the Year for her leadership of the Cricket Blast program at Peninsula Junior Cricket Club. The Cerebral Palsy Alliance Dental Team took out the Volunteer Team of the Year award.
Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate praised the dedication of volunteers across the region, describing them as “the quiet force” who support communities during both everyday challenges and crisis situations.
Northern Beaches award recipients will represent the region at the state ceremony later this year, where the NSW Volunteer of the Year will be announced in each category.
Published 1-October-2025
