The Ayr Surf Life Saving Club is gearing up to celebrate its 100-year anniversary, a significant milestone since its establishment on 26th October 1926. The club is already in the planning stages for a big birthday celebration, with formal preparations set to begin in January. A special committee will be formed to oversee the organisation of the celebration, with regular updates planned to keep the club informed on the progress. Hockey Vernon urges anyone with memorabilia to contact him, or the club.
One of the standout moments in the club’s history was hosting the state titles in 1959. This event brought competitors from all across Queensland, with the entry cost set at just one shilling. Despite the excitement, the event was followed by the havoc of Cyclone Connie, which left many participants stranded in Ayr. The club fielded a junior Rescue and Resuscitation team in the championships, made up of Robert "Gandy" Great, Joe Mooney, Arthur Rutherford, Doug Paine, Thomas Archer, and Alan Walker. Adding to the festivities, Bruno Meloni won the popular pillow fight event, and there were also chariot races, ensuring a fun-filled occasion for all involved.
Another fond memory from the club’s past dates back to the 1950s when a group of 16-year-olds, including Hockey Vernon, Graham Dawes, Fred Hartwell, Barry Great, and Dennis Tate, joined the club as juniors. Every Sunday, senior members Bruno Meloni and Graham Cummins would pick the boys up in their Holden utes, ensuring their dedication to surf life saving remained strong.
Ayr Surf Life Saving Club has a long tradition of fundraising through its Surf Girl program, which helps raise money for the club and allows participants to compete in Brisbane. The club has won the competition before and has been successful in raising charity funds on numerous occasions. This century-long legacy of community involvement and surf life saving excellence is set to be celebrated in grand style.
The club is also planning to publish a commemorative 100-year book, with further details to be released as the project develops.
Memorabilia from the Ayr Surf Life Saving Club. Photo credit: Miah Lampard
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2023 Burdekin Life Pty Ltd.
