A BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE
In the early summer of 1961 E.S. Madden, “Ted” as he is more popularly known, then Operations Officer of the Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron, Victoria, appalled by the horrendous accidents occurring on local waterways, wrote to the Director, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, for information about their Public Education Programme related to boating safety. The reply was prompt and friendly, the material response prolific. It was accompanied by a short polite note. “It is probable that a comparable organisation may afford your people an equally effective means of improving boating standards”. Thus was planted the seed from which the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association was to grow.
If Ted had been able, at that time, to foresee one tenth of the work, trouble grief and pain that would follow, the organisation may never have been born.. However, E.S. Madden was not easily deterred. Having had the vision to clearly see the pressing need for an organisation such as Coast Guard, he fortunately also possessed the organisational ability to initiate its foundation, the dedication and tenacity in the face of adversity to foster it through its painful teething stages eventually to emerge as the largest voluntary boating safety and marine rescue organisation in Australia.
In the early years, Ted rose through the various ranks of Deputy National Training Commodore, Deputy National Commodore and eventually National Commodore. Throughout the whole of this time, however, he never lost sight of his initial motivation, the need for public education in all areas affecting boating safety. In addition to his official duties, he remained personally involved with the organisation and presentation of Coast Guard Public Education Courses. Statistics show that about two thousand people passed through Ted’s classes alone. E.S. Madden subsequently was honoured by the bestowal of Life Membership of the Association.
Today, essential reading for all new recruits into the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, is the History of its foundation by “Ted” Madden.
The education of the boating public was in the beginning and remains the driving force behind Ted’s endeavours. It is worthy of note that, over the past thirty five years, an estimated 700,000 students have attended Coast Guard conducted courses in the safe operation, navigation and maintenance of small craft on Australian coastal and inland waters. This renowned service reflects Ted’s vision and Coast Guard’s primary objective of making search and rescue unnecessary.
In the manner of all great achievers, Ted is not given to resting upon his laurels. Having established Coast Guard on a firm foundation, he later was to be instrumental in introducing the educational element of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol into Victoria. This gesture, misunderstood by some, reflected Ted’s magnanimity to all who shared his profound interest in and dedication to the promotion of boating safety.
In his professional capacity as a freelance journalist, E.S. Madden is recognised both in Australia and internationally for his profuse literary contribution to boating publications, particularly on subjects concerned with the safe handling of small craft.
Notwithstanding his lifelong dedication to the promotion of boating safety, E.S. Madden is an author of some note. His first book titled Craig’s Spur, published by Heineman’s press, was translated into three languages and sold worldwide. Ted, at present, is putting the finishing touches to his masterpiece, the culmination of thirty years of research into the history of paddle steamers on the River Murray.
Boating Organisations with which E.S. Madden is or has been closely associated either as founder or leading member:
Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association; Founder and Life Member
Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol; Victoria Director, School of
Small Craft Seamanship.
Qualifications; Master Skipper, Lecturer
Joint Boating Committee, Victoria; Chairman
Castrol 100 Round the Bay Race Committee; Chairman
Shell Murray Power Boat Marathon Committee; Chairman
Eppalock Power Boat Marathon Committee; Chairman
Water Safety Committee National Safety Council; Committee Member
Red Cross Murray Marathon Committee; Chairman
Boat Owner’s Association of Victoria; President
State Boating Council, Victoria; Committee Member
Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron; Founder Member
Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club; Member
Westernport Marine Yacht Squadron; Founder Member
Bendigo Power Boat Club; Honorary Member
Hazelwood Power Boat Club; Honorary Member
Victorian Speed Boat Driver’s Association; Honorary Member
Awards; Australian Boatman of the Year, 1989
Journalistic Contributions:
Newspapers; Boating Writer, Sporting
Globe, Sunday Press, Herald
Australian Magazines; Modern Boating, Sea Spray,
Boating Industry Magazine
Nautical News, Professional
Fisherman
International Magazines; Work Boat World, Fishing Boat.
World, Ships and Ports,
Australia and the Sea,
12 Year Books, International
Boat Industry Magazine
In the early summer of 1961 E.S. Madden, “Ted” as he is more popularly known, then Operations Officer of the Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron, Victoria, appalled by the horrendous accidents occurring on local waterways, wrote to the Director, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, for information about their Public Education Programme related to boating safety. The reply was prompt and friendly, the material response prolific. It was accompanied by a short polite note. “It is probable that a comparable organisation may afford your people an equally effective means of improving boating standards”. Thus was planted the seed from which the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association was to grow.
If Ted had been able, at that time, to foresee one tenth of the work, trouble grief and pain that would follow, the organisation may never have been born.. However, E.S. Madden was not easily deterred. Having had the vision to clearly see the pressing need for an organisation such as Coast Guard, he fortunately also possessed the organisational ability to initiate its foundation, the dedication and tenacity in the face of adversity to foster it through its painful teething stages eventually to emerge as the largest voluntary boating safety and marine rescue organisation in Australia.
In the early years, Ted rose through the various ranks of Deputy National Training Commodore, Deputy National Commodore and eventually National Commodore. Throughout the whole of this time, however, he never lost sight of his initial motivation, the need for public education in all areas affecting boating safety. In addition to his official duties, he remained personally involved with the organisation and presentation of Coast Guard Public Education Courses. Statistics show that about two thousand people passed through Ted’s classes alone. E.S. Madden subsequently was honoured by the bestowal of Life Membership of the Association.
Today, essential reading for all new recruits into the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association, is the History of its foundation by “Ted” Madden.
The education of the boating public was in the beginning and remains the driving force behind Ted’s endeavours. It is worthy of note that, over the past thirty five years, an estimated 700,000 students have attended Coast Guard conducted courses in the safe operation, navigation and maintenance of small craft on Australian coastal and inland waters. This renowned service reflects Ted’s vision and Coast Guard’s primary objective of making search and rescue unnecessary.
In the manner of all great achievers, Ted is not given to resting upon his laurels. Having established Coast Guard on a firm foundation, he later was to be instrumental in introducing the educational element of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol into Victoria. This gesture, misunderstood by some, reflected Ted’s magnanimity to all who shared his profound interest in and dedication to the promotion of boating safety.
In his professional capacity as a freelance journalist, E.S. Madden is recognised both in Australia and internationally for his profuse literary contribution to boating publications, particularly on subjects concerned with the safe handling of small craft.
Notwithstanding his lifelong dedication to the promotion of boating safety, E.S. Madden is an author of some note. His first book titled Craig’s Spur, published by Heineman’s press, was translated into three languages and sold worldwide. Ted, at present, is putting the finishing touches to his masterpiece, the culmination of thirty years of research into the history of paddle steamers on the River Murray.
Boating Organisations with which E.S. Madden is or has been closely associated either as founder or leading member:
Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association; Founder and Life Member
Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol; Victoria Director, School of
Small Craft Seamanship.
Qualifications; Master Skipper, Lecturer
Joint Boating Committee, Victoria; Chairman
Castrol 100 Round the Bay Race Committee; Chairman
Shell Murray Power Boat Marathon Committee; Chairman
Eppalock Power Boat Marathon Committee; Chairman
Water Safety Committee National Safety Council; Committee Member
Red Cross Murray Marathon Committee; Chairman
Boat Owner’s Association of Victoria; President
State Boating Council, Victoria; Committee Member
Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron; Founder Member
Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club; Member
Westernport Marine Yacht Squadron; Founder Member
Bendigo Power Boat Club; Honorary Member
Hazelwood Power Boat Club; Honorary Member
Victorian Speed Boat Driver’s Association; Honorary Member
Awards; Australian Boatman of the Year, 1989
Journalistic Contributions:
Newspapers; Boating Writer, Sporting
Globe, Sunday Press, Herald
Australian Magazines; Modern Boating, Sea Spray,
Boating Industry Magazine
Nautical News, Professional
Fisherman
International Magazines; Work Boat World, Fishing Boat.
World, Ships and Ports,
Australia and the Sea,
12 Year Books, International
Boat Industry Magazine