Former lighthouse keeper, Mark Sheriff is just a tad confused, but at the same time pretty chuffed to receive recognition in this year’s honours list doing something he is passionate about.
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The part-time Seal Rocks resident has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to community history.
Speaking from remote Gabo Island, just off the Victorian coastline, Mark said deep down he was honoured to have been seen to deserve the acknowledgement.
“When you have passion for something you are driven,” he said.
“I have been enriched by the experience.”
I have been enriched by the experience.
- Mark Sheriff
The former electrician from Lake Macquarie has been keeping watch over the light and lighthouse buildings which keep watch over our maritime vessels for more than 30 years.
“I kept watch over everything which was in the backyard including the ancient mariner but my main focus was on the light.”
He took a fancy to the life of a lighthouse keeper when a mate was looking after the Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse at Seal Rocks.
He fancied a life of isolation, devoid of traffic congestion, where a good wave was within easy reach, and the lawns never had to be mowed.
“You can get up in the morning and you don’t have to drive to work.”
Mark later returned to Seal Rocks in 1996 where he was the site’s last caretaker until 2006.
After leaving his position as caretaker Mark returned the following day and began work renovating the cottages, which are now used for overnight accommodation.
“I had to reinvent myself,” Mark said.
Today, Mark is a fly-in fly-out (or sail-in sail-out) lighthouse keeper, working, preserving and restoring these historic buildings and modern structures around Australia.
He also has established several lighthouse maritime museums.
“It’s a great thing to collect old artefacts; it’s part of my 30 year projection plan.”
He currently works as a lighthouse technician for 15 of the Australian Maritime Systems Group and also offers his services to government departments which own the lighthouses – NSW and Tasmania National Parks and Wildlife Services, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and NSW Crown Lands.
At 60-years Mark has no plan to retire in the near future.
In fact his plan is maybe 78 years and then become a lighthouse volunteer.
“I love what I do; I don’t want to travel Australia in a caravan or take a cruise.”
Until last year the confirmed bachelor was adamant he would never marry.
But, that was before he linked up (again) with TV producer wife Kathryn three years ago.
And, where was the couple married – historic Barrenjoey Lighthouse on Sydney’s northern beaches?