It is with extreme sadness that I advise our members of the sudden passing of Jason Bryant @ JB, last Sunday as a result of a trail bike accident. He was only 55.
Although Jason wasn’t a current member of our Club, he was, and will always be a part of our Club. Jason and his late brother Ashley rose through the ranks o f Tacking Point Nippers to be outstanding Clubmen and many of our older members will remember those days, with fond memories.
Jason was an extreme waterman who was everything a lifesaver could be. He was a very competent Patrol Captain, excellent competitor excelling on the board and ski, he was an instructor of numerous courses and he was arguably one of the best IRB drivers in the Branch. The best example of this is when Jason received the Australian Bravery Medal for his heroic actions effecting a mass rescue on the bar at the mouth of the Hastings River in May, 1999.
Sea Rescue had launched their vessel in huge seas to go to the assistance of a stricken vessel out to sea off the coast of Port Macquarie. Their launch overturned on the bar and all on board were flung into the sea. Jason who was a Police Officer stationed at Port Macquarie, commandeered a sea rescue irb (rib) and effected the rescue of all on board the launch. For those who witnessed this astonishing rescue they will never forget Jason’s quick actions on that day and he thoroughly deserved this award.
To Debbie his wife, his daughters Taylor and Danielle and son Josh, mother Margo; we extend our sincere condolences at this very sad time.
May he rest in peace.
I will advise funeral details when they are available.