Our History – Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club – founded 1959 (draft )
In the Beginning
Background of Surf Bathing in Australia
- Bathing on open beaches was strictly limited at the beginning of the present centenary.
- The idea of a person in a bathing costume was considered indecent. Authorities framed regulations that precluded Surf bathing except in the early hours of the morning or late in the day and insisted on the segregation of sexes.
- In 1902 a small group of Sydney enthusiasts defied the regulations, the restrictions were waived and bathing on beaches became general.
- numerous cases of bathers getting into difficulties and instances of drowning led to the formation of a few small life-saving clubs on various beaches near Sydney.
- In 1907 with the need for standardised methods of rescue and resuscitation systems, The NSW Surf Bathing Association was formed which is now known as the Surf Life-saving Association of Australia .
- Development of State, Branch associations with affiliated Clubs.
- Point Danger Branch Association formed in 1924
- Queensland Surf Life Saving
- Coolangatta Municipal Club -1926 /28 early attempt to establish a Surf club on” Beach house Beach ” Coolangatta
- COOLANGATTA SLSC has had two beginnings with the first affiliation with the branch on February 28 th 1959 and because of difficulties in attracting experienced and active members, The Club Captain of the time did not have sufficient numbers to affiliate for the start of the 1959 /60 season until a new group from Tweed Heads Coolangatta SLSC offered to assist in providing the numbers to re-affiliate with the Point Danger Branch on the 19th of December 1959 proved to be the most important in the establishment of Coolangatta SLSC on a Continuous basis following the earlier group affiliation on the 28th of February 1959.
The new President Mr Ron Westerlund noted in his 1959/60 Annual Report address that this period in the development of the club was the” Laying of a solid foundation for the building of yet another offspring of such an organisation as the Surf Life Saving Association “.
The above has been a strongly debated issue on the Foundation and Establishment of the Club and the acknowledgment of those members that provided substantial commitment and contribution to the formation.
The comparison of membership lists of seasons 1958/59 to 1959 /60 season confirms that it was a new group of members mainly from Greenmount -TH&C club that agreed to assist in establishing the new club under the leadership of a new President.
The AGM and Election of Officers on the 19 /12/159 before PD Branch, December monthly meeting later that same day where the Branch accepted the NEW Coolangatta SLSC application.
The new group moved quickly into action the following day on 20/12/59 with the first official Beach patrol and the First Bronze squad, previously trained as the Greenmount TH&C Bronze squad passed their preliminary examination in preparation for the full Bronze examination on the 2nd of January 1960.
Although the first official patrol was recorded by some as being on the the following weekend on Christmas day the fact that the club was ready and patrolling for the busy holiday period , was the main goal.
The new group was focused on immediate challenges of recruitment, Training, Patrol equipment, accommodation for both members and housing of equipment in a Beachside location and Fundraising.
The already heavy burden of the members was also increased with the adoption of the new ” Mouth to Mouth ” Resuscitation. method.
The first 6 months of operation were an impressive achievement with the development of the Club Crest – Design and Specification, Development of the Club Competition Cap, Design of Club uniform, Development of the First Constitution & By-Laws, First Bronze and following new Bronze squads, and First Instructors Awards.
Details of each will be outlined in the following pages.
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