Toowoon Bay Surf Life Saving Club is gearing up to celebrate its 70th anniversary this season, with two exciting events lined up to mark the milestone.
It was during the summer of 1953 that resident Bob Roberts became aware of the need to establish a surf club, and in time a clubhouse, at Toowoon Bay due to the increasing numbers of residents and visitors that were getting into trouble in the waters around the bays.
“Bob Roberts hired surf-o-planes, beach shelters and truck tubes from his shed near where the current clubhouse now stands,” Club historian Lyn Waters said.
“He approached several regulars and most agreed to join the proposed surf club; their very first meeting was held in Pierce’s hairdressing shop.
“Wyong Shire Council passed a Motion at a meeting in 1953 after the Health Inspector was satisfied with the proposal and donated 50 pounds to establish Toowoon Bay Surf Club.
“A brick building with a flat concrete roof was to be erected at a cost of 490 pounds.
“Materials and manpower were provided by many of the original club members.”
And so the club was born, with the first group of bronze medallion members – Max Hazlett, Mick Bailey, George Freeman, Brian Burns, Max Sheen and Jim Starkey – trained at The Entrance beach.
By October 1954, the first patrol was on the beach alongside a rescue reel donated by Council.
A carnival was held at Toowoon Bay, attended by the other nine existing surf clubs at the time.
Due to limited space for storing equipment, the Hazlett family, who ran the boarding house on land above the beach, allowed the club members to store their boards at their house
“By the mid 1960s, an increase in members saw the need to expand the old brick building and over the next three years, members again donated materials and time to erect the new two-storey building,” Waters said.
“Many fundraising nights were held to raise the necessary funds to buy and maintain equipment.”
The Nipper program for boys was established in 1968 and the Nipperettes in 1978 and the inclusive Stingray Program has been running since February 2017, offering a modified nipper program for children with disabilities.
“There have been many changes over the past seven decades,” Waters said.
“The first main rescue equipment was a surf boat rowed by four members with a rescue reel in the bow of the boat.
“The other piece of important equipment was a rescue line operated by a belt man (swimmer), linemen and reel man.
“The surf boat was replaced by jet boats, then IRBs (inflatable rescue boats) and now jet skis.
“The surf reel was replaced by rescue boards and tubes.
“Over the decades, rescues have included the saving of 50 RAAF men in the water off The Entrance in 1974 and assistance with the Maitland flood rescues in 1955, along with swimmer and craft rescues within the two bays as well as dry land CPR and first aid situations.”
In the early 1970s, a bunk house was set up in the club for use by male members only – no females were permitted; it cost 50 cents to sleep per night.
Females were allowed to commence training in the use of radios in 1978 and in May 1979 females were finally allowed to join the club as active members.
The first female gained her bronze medallion in 1980 and the club has had several female club captains and one female president to date.
In 1984, Toowoon Bay’s new clubhouse was officially opened.
One year later, Toowoon Bay was announced as the winner of the National Award Incentive Scheme and Best NSW Club.
In 2006 a newer, bigger clubhouse was again officially opened.
The club now has 852 members, with the clubhouse needing another extension.
To celebrate the 70th anniversary, a cocktail party will be held from 6.30pm on Friday, September 13, in the Toowoon Bay SLSC clubhouse.
Tickets are limited and cost $100, which includes food, drink and entertainment in the iconic venue overlooking Toowoon Bay Beach.
Entertainment will be provided by Nouveau Vintage.
To buy tickets email office.toowoonbayslsc@gmail.com or call 4332 2411 or 0406 116 603.
On Saturday, September 21, a Party on the Beach will take place from 10am-4pm with support from Central Coast Council.
The day will include lifesaving demonstrations and free entertainment by the Shott Boys.
The Village Kiosk will have an assortment of food options on offer.
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