MEMBERS and supporters of Volunteer Marine Rescue Mornington turn their backs on the water for just a few hours on Saturday night for their annual fund-raiser at Mornington racecourse.

VMR's fourth annual charity auction and dinner dance is one of several events to mark the service's 30th anniversary this year.

Mornington Bay Rescue Service, as it was then known, started in May 1980 following the tragic loss of fisherman Paul Darbyshire. Local police stood helplessly on the clifftop watching Mr Darbyshire trying to reach shore from an upturned boat and vowed it would never happen again.

He is remembered every time volunteers hit the water in their sharkcat named Darbyshire 2; the service's first boat was called The Darbyshire.

VMR president Tim Warner said Mornington policemen Senior Sergeant Peter Wilson, Sergeant Lou Allain and Sergeant Paul Hornbuckle called a public meeting at the racecourse to start a ready reaction rescue unit.

"People attending were told the nearest water-based rescue units were eight kilometres away – the coast guard at Safety Beach and Frankston. Neither unit had a boat in the water or a callout system. In those days, this meant a 20 to 60-minute delay in getting a crew," he said.

In three decades, VMR has rescued hundreds of boaties and garnered several awards, including for long-time members such as Clive Reddecliffe and Mr Warner, who hold the Emergency Services Medal.

The service won a Boating Industry Association safety initiatives award in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2009.

The service has embarked on a campaign to raise $600,000 to extend its base behind the Mornington police station for boat storage and a training room.

Mr Warner said VMR had increased its membership and wanted to conduct water safety classes for the public.

"Over the past five years we have been working closely with Life Saving Victoria and formed an air marine search and rescue group that meets to discuss issues and exchange ideas.

"VMR Mornington is proud to be the first marine rescue group to be affiliated with LSV. We share the same passion, goals and ideals."

Mr Warner said the service received good support from Club Marine and local businesses, especially Bernie Taylor of the Grand Hotel in Mornington.

■The VMR's fund-raising auction and dinner dance is from 7pm on Saturday at Mornington racecourse.

Tickets are $90 and include three courses, drinks and entertainment. There's also a $1000 door prize.

For event or membership details, call Mandy Keogh on 0413832309 or visit vmrmornington.com.au