Of Tragedy and Valor
Don & Lesley Rumbelow

Don and Lesley Rumbelow, Fleurieu Sun
Descendant of Malen Rumbelow 2nd

Donald Graham Rumbelow was born to parents Graham Rumbelow and Jean Metcalf. He is the brother of Malcolm Rumbelow and Raelene Goodwin.

In 1973, Don married Lesley Angela Chibnall at St. Augustine's Church of England, Victor Harbor on Saturday 7th July.

Donald has been a volunteer of the Encounter Bay Football Club since 1967 and is a life member. His vast knowledge has been shared in his role as the Chairman of the Encounter Bay Sporting Complex Planning Committee. Donald is also a life member of the Victor Harbor Yacht Club where he volunteers his time to support sailing activities.

Additionally, Donald has committed many hours towards volunteering for the Victor Harbor/ Goolwa Sea Rescue Squadron, where he has assisted several rescues. He has been awarded a Ministerial Commendation for his achievements as Squadron Leader for the Sea Rescue Squadron. Donald is always willing to lend a helping hand and sets an outstanding example to his peers.

"Richard and Shirley Littlely and Don and Lesley Rumbelow are the reason that I am involved myself at Encounter Bay, because of the precedent they have set. They are an inspiration. They have all worked tirelessly (and still do, might I add) for decades to ensure that this footy club remains for the members of the community to enjoy. These four; Richard, Shirley, Don and Lesley are really the four pillars or stalwarts of the Encounter Bay Football Club."

- Melissa Rumbelow

On Australia Day he was awarded the City of Victor Harbor for 2023. Don received the Active Citizenship Award In recognition of ongoing commitment to local sport and recreation groups. This includes long service to the Encounter Bay Football Club, the Victor Harbor Yacht Club and the Victor Harbor/ Goolwa Sea Rescue Squadron.

Don and Lesley Rumbelow were recognised together with the honour of an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) on the King’s Birthday Honours. Both have given their lives to the community of the south coast with their selfless contributions to sailing (Victor Harbor Yacht Club), Encounter Bay Football Club and Sea Rescue.

In December 2024, Leslie and Don Rumbelow were presented with Certificates of Appreciation for over 40 years of outstanding service by the Victor Harbor/ Goolwa Sea Rescue Squadron.

"An incredible example of volunteers giving up their time to keep our community safe. Well done Leslie and Don" - Stephen Keany

King’s Birthday Honours

https://victorharbortimes.com.au/news/2023/06/15/kings-birthday-honours-for-fleurieus-finest/

Don and Lesley Rumbelow of Encounter Bay have been awarded OAMs in the King's Honours List.

Don and Lesley Rumbelow are both awarded an OAM for their service to the community.

Encounter Bay Football Club
Sea Search and Rescue
Control and Coordinate of search and rescue along the southern coast.
And other activities associated with the south coast community.

Don Rumbelow (Right) Encounter Bay Football Club 14 October 2023 recieving the Fleurieu Footy Volunteers Of The Year 2023

HONOURED: Ian Grant, of Port Elliot, and Lesley and Don Rumbelow, of Encounter Bay, receive their medals at Government House on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

Donald has committed many hours towards volunteering for the Victor Harbor/ Goolwa Sea Rescue Squadron, where he has assisted several rescues. He has been awarded a Ministerial Commendation for his achievements as Squadron Leader for the Sea Rescue Squadron. Donald is always willing to lend a helping hand and sets an outstanding example to his peers.

Donald is also a life member of the Victor Harbor Yacht Club where he volunteers his time to support sailing activities.

Don Rumbelow's love of water is in his blood

September 2003

By MARVENA MANNERS

Don Rumbelow of Victor Harbor to talk about his achievements is no easy task. Well respected for his contribution to the community since his youth, the man who has inspired a generation in sport finds it hard to talk about himself.

His string of titles includes President and Life Member of the Encounter Bay Football Club, Squadron Leader of the Victor Harbor Goolwa Sea Rescue, Life member of the Victor Harbor Yacht Club, and member of several other committees - all of which he takes in his stride.

In his spare time (the time he spends earning an income) Don is an intermittent carpenter and hobby farmer but his true allegiance is with the sea. Born into one of the district's pioneering fishing families, Don must have salt in his veins because you'd never catch him too far from the water.

Whether it's sailing, fishing or Sea Rescue, being on the water is more than recreation for Don whose involvement flows much deeper. Ever since he was about 10 a boat has been a natural appendage to his life.

"I couldn't imagine not having a boat and I don't like seeing them sold," he said.

"As a kid I would row around the reef and the Bluff at every opportunity.

"I'm not really Victor Harbor born and bred but rather Encounter Bay born and bred!”

"I'm happy when I'm on the water." Don remembers getting home from school and heading out with his father to check the craypots.

It was during that time that Don caught the fishing bug and for a few years he worked as a professional fisherman.

The Rumblelow origins go back to 1854 when settlers Malen and Alice arrived at Port Adelaide from Suffolk. The family trekked by bullock dray to Encounter Bay and, with whaling starting to decline, they played an important role in developing the local fishing industry. Throughout the generations the bravery of the Rumbelows is well known, having saved many from drowning.

As a result Bravery Awards were given to Don's grandfather and father, as acknowledged in Evelyn Wallace Carter's book 'For They Were Fishers'.

It seems no coincidence then that Don has the same sense of dedication and makes himself available in case he is needed for search and rescue operations. As Squadron Leader of Victor Harbor Goolwa Sea Rescue he has to be proficient in rescue techniques as well as piloting his craft through waters that span from the Coorong to Kangaroo Island.

"A few of us have radios that we man 24 hours a day," Don said.

"Most of the time our call outs are for RAA type incidents, ones that are not life threatening.

"But occasionally we have to head out in all weather to rescue people who are in trouble.

"You never really know what to expect when the beeper goes off," he said.

From powerboats to sailing craft, Don is equally at home. He remembers in 1977 tossing in the cricket bat to go sailing and from that day he has played a vital role in the Victor Harbor Yacht Club. Over the years he has served as Commodore, President and committee member. With his daughter Celina and sons Brad and Troy also heavily involved in sailing, Don has been involved in the national sailing championships for about 11 years.

Pic courtesy Les Leane

Victor Harbor and Goolwa Sea Rescue Squadron

LIfe Member - Malcolm Rumbelow 2017

LIfe Member - Don Rumbelow 2009

LIfe Member - Lesley Rumbelow 2017

Commodore - Malcolm Rumbelow 96/97, 05/06, 06/07, 07/08

Squadron Leader - Malcolm Rumbelow 94/95, 95/96

Squadron Leader - Don Rumbelow 02/03, 03/04, 04/05, 05/06, 06/07, 07/08, 08/09, 09/10, 10/11, 11/12, 12/13

Deputy Squadron Leader - Malcolm Rumbelow 93/94, 16/17, 17/18

Deputy Squadron Leader - Don Rumbelow 14/15, 15/16

Pte. Donald Rumbelow

Pte. Donald Rumbelow was an assault pioneer with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, based at Woodside, South Australia.

In 1973, Don appeared in the Victor Harbor Times examining the effects of a Bangalore torpedo on a barbed wire obstacle during training at Cultana in Central South Australia. A Bangalore torpedo is a charge specially shaped to clear wire obstacles.