Mike was nominated by our Club for a Vocational 'Shine on Award' in 2007 and was presented with his award at a ceremony in Morwell that year.  Mike's passion for diving had led him to qualify as a professional diving instructor, ultimately working with people with disabilities, to give them the opportunity to experience a weightless world, which he said was leberating.  Our Club went on to work with Mike to provide funds for special diving masks for the people he was teaching to dive. In the following year, with contributions also from Terry Lack of the Bayside Dog Training Companion Centre, our other 'first' Honorary Rotarian and a District Simplified Grant, Mike was able to establish the diving program for people with disablilities at Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre.  Mike's story has been published in our local Bayside Leader on more than one occasion.  In February this year the article was honoring Mike and two fellow volunteers with the group Marine Care Ricketts Point, noting they had all been awarded OAM's.  Mike was awarded the OAM in 2012 for 'his work with the disabled, especially through his innovative water programs.'

Our thoughts and condolences go to Mike's family and friends.

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