Bronze Medallion (New Zealand and Australia)

The Bronze Medallion, signifying a qualified lifesaver, has been a lifesaving standard award of The Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia for over one hundred years.

[1] In New Zealand and Australia one must gain a Bronze Medallion to become a qualified Life Saver.

The head and upper body of the person being rescued is visible but the figures of the people are not very clearly defined.

Around the edge in a sans-serif font are the words “THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY ESTABLISHED 1891” Reverse: Around the edge in the same sans-serif font are the words “QUEMCUNQUE MISERUM VEDERIS HOMINEM SCIAS” which may be translated as ‘Whomsoever you see in distress, recognize him as a fellow man.’ In the centre in two lines in a roman font are the words “AWARDED TO” followed by a space in which the recipient’s name and the date of awarding were added.

Obverse: Two swimmers in the water – one rescuing the other, one with his/her hands on the side of the head of the second person.

Obverse: Two swimmers in the water – one rescuing the other, one with his/her hands on the side of the head of the second person.

Obverse: Instead of swimmers the central part consists of a crossed boat hook and oar forming quadrants.

In the centre is a clover form made from rope, Around this item are the words “ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY” in a sans-serif font.

Around the edge in the same sans-serif font are the words “QUEMCUNQUE MISERUM VEDERIS HOMINEM SCIAS” as in Type 1 reverse.

Reverse: Around the edge in a roman font are the words “ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY” and in a smaller size “ESTABLISHED 1891” In the centre in two lines in a roman font are the words “AWARDED TO” followed by a space in which the recipient’s name and the date of awarding were added.

Almost the same as Type 4 but the reverse has “ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY” in a sans-serif font.

In a smaller size in a roman font is “ESTABLISHED 1891” The numbers are in ranging style.

A small version of the obverse of Types 4 & 5 but it is uniface only, that is the reverse is plain although sometimes the recipient's name is added there.

Other Royal Life Saving Society medals or medallions exist such as the Intermediate Star, the Award of Merit, (early ones in hallmarked silver) and the Bronze Cross