Retired doctor Denis Gordon turned up to his local surf club's annual golf day fundraiser last year and wrote out a $1000 cheque.
The donation was part of he and his wife Robin's commitment to supporting charities and community groups where and when they can.
But when Dr Gordon heard the club needed a new surf boat, and was still more than a few meat raffles off funding it, he didn't hesitate in ripping the cheque in half.
Such is his admiration for volunteer surf lifesavers and their place in the community, he upped his donation to Swansea-Belmont Surf Life Saving Club to $15,000.
The money would complete members' fundraising efforts and enable the club to take stock of their first new surf boat since 2007.
No longer would the under-19 crew's old boat have to be patched up with "band-aid" repairs, club president Graham Burge said.
"I admire so much what they do in the community," 82-year-old Dr Gordon said, adding he was inspired by a former patient's donation to the club "many years ago".
"I just thought giving them the money direct, to the people and surf club I know and admire, gave me and my wife a great deal of pleasure."
Dr Gordon and Robin were on hand for the boat's unveiling at Blacksmiths on Friday after the opening day of the NSW Surf Life Saving Age Championships.
The club recognised the couple's contribution by naming the new boat the 'Dr. Denis and Robin Gordon'.
Swansea-Belmont SLSC president Graham Burge said the donation had floored club officials.
He said the club's under-19 members had ran a series of fundraising initiatives over the past year, but were yet to reach half of the anticipated $30,000 cost of the new boat until Dr Gordon stepped in.
Mr Burge said Dr Gordon had given up his time over the years to assist as a medical professional for surf carnivals similar to the one being held this weekend.
He said Dr Gordon was the club's "honorary doctor" having retired in 2018.
Dr Gordon said he had been impressed by the young members' fundraising efforts, and the standard of commitment to their crew, training, community and lifesaving responsibilities.
He hoped the couple's donation would encourage others to support the work of volunteer organisations like community surf clubs.
"I really admire what they do, they're a bit like the fire service and do a great bit for the community," he said.
I really admire what they do, they're a bit like the fire service.
Dr Denis Gordon
