The son of Dutch parents who escaped the German occupation during World War II, the 75-year-old father and grandfather remains an active member of the Fingal Bay Surf Lifesaving Club in addition to have been a fierce competitor in his heyday, a volunteer coach and trainer, a patrolman and a mentor to hundreds of younger members.

Bergsma has competed in surf events since the age of 18 at all levels, he has been recognised for his undying service to the surf lifesaving movement by being bestowed life membership of the Fingal Bay, the Hunter and the NSW state surf lifesaving organisations

He was also been recognised with the Rotary Club's Tomaree Hero Award, the Australian Sport Medal in 2000, the Australia Medal in 2005 and fittingly the Order of Australia Medal in 2016. Bergsma was also a founding member of the now defunct Nelson Bay Blue Marlins winter swimming club.

The lover of the sea proudly boasts that he has never missed a surf patrol at Fingal, Birubi or One Mile beach, and - like so many other lifeguards who patrol the vast number of Australian beaches - he has lost count of the number of lives he has saved.

But it has not been all smooth sailing for Bergsma, who was born in Holland and arrived in Australia in 1951 by boat with his six siblings and parents, seeking a new life away from war-torn Europe.

"The early days were a struggle. We arrived in Australia with nothing. Our first stop was a Bathurst migrant centre but we were only there two weeks before they transported us to Nelson Bay. We lived in a house in Achilles Street before eventually settling in Fingal Bay," Bergsma recalled.

The Bergsma children attended Stockton primary school and Marist Bros Hamilton - a trip involving a bus from his Fingal home to Stockton, a ferry across to Newcastle then another bus to the school. "It was round trip of nearly four hours. Yes, it was tough but I enjoyed my weekends on the beach."

While he played rugby league for Nelson Bay until he was 27 years of age, Bergsma's passion from the day he landed in Nelson Bay had always been the ocean. "The beach soon became my second home and I remember one day going to Merewether for a surf carnival and watching one of the surf boats get lifted by a wave, hit the sand and snap in half. I knew then that was what I wanted to do."

In 1964 at age 18 Bergsma, with a group of like-minded mates, formed the Fingal Bay surf club. Today its members number in the hundreds.

One of the committee's first tasks was to raise enough funds to purchase a surf boat. "We were made aware that the Swansea club was happy to sell off a boat they had won called the BP Comet, and so we were able to buy it." Bergsma fell in love with the sport and never looked back, starting as a crewman and progressing to skipper and later as coach and trainer..

"From surf boats my interest soon turned to ski paddling and I was fortunate enough to compete in state and national championships right across the country." To train, he would paddle to Broughton Island and back.

"There were a couple of memorable events I participated in, including the Forster to Sydney race over four days (twice), which attracted paddlers from all over the world. I was also part of a one and only 30-member Hunter surf lifesaving team that toured New Zealand back in the 1970s."

Bergsma recalled being billeted by a family in Auckland. "About a year after my return home I received a message that the young father where I had been staying and who had a tendency to drive fast cars had been killed in a car accident. It was devastating news, particularly for the wife and young kids."

Of the many swimmers he has rescued over the years, Bergsma vividly recalls the day he saved a fully clothed woman who was swimming towards dangerous waters near the Fingal Spit. "I was alerted by a group of people on the beach so I paddled out to her asking if she was okay. At first she ignored me but eventually I was able to get her on my board and back to safety."

A builder by trade, Bergsma was forced into retirement at age 60 after beating prostate cancer. In later life he has also constantly battled melanoma - the result of spending a lifetime on the water. But, he says, he never let the diagnosis, nor the treatment, get him down and he remained positive throughout the daily bouts of radiation.

"I would work till about 11am, visit the hospital for my shot of radiation then after a short rest at home I would be back at the surf club training. I just wouldn't let it worry me. It's almost the same situation we are in now, having to live with this virus. I do worry for those people who have lost their jobs and for the children who are missing playing sport and getting out with mates. My advice is to stay in touch with family and friends wherever possible. If you or someone you know has a problem with their mental health then talk about it. there is always someone who will listen. And get vaccinated."

Over recent years the doting grandfather of four has taken on the role of master sweep for the 26ft boats, training generations of Port Stephens oarsmen and women in the process.

Nowadays, Bergsma has added tennis to his sporting repertoire. "I swim every day and enjoy playing tennis as much as possible." He is grateful for the wonderful support of family and friends, most notably his devoted wife, Carol.

After receiving his 50-year medal and matching gold watch at Fingal club's presentation night in 2015, Bergsma stated: "I have received both the Australian Medal and Australian Sportsman's Medal but this means more to me. This is who I am, it represents the surf club and the tremendous people I have met during my 50 years at the club."

And that is why even today among both the young and the not-so-young, he is still fondly known as the 'Mayor of Fingal'.

We want to find the people in the Port's sporting community who deserve the spotlight. Whether it's a star athlete, a quiet achiever, a dedicated volunteer, we want to know who they are. In an email titled 'Sport Nomination', send the details including name, sport/club, a bit about the person you're nominating and a photo to portstephens@austcommunitymedia.com.au.