Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club has a rich history which will be on show at centenary celebrations in August.
Past president Lynda Cremer said the centenary committee had spent several months gathering photos and information from over the past 100 years to showcase the club's heritage and hold it for future generations.
Lynda said the huge task of collating the valuable material gave the reunion committee an opportunity to see the evolution of Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club, and she said it's important to share this with the rest of the community.
“Gathering the history for future generations has been a big, but important job,” she said.
“One of our first tasks was to catalogue all the State and Australian medallists that have come from our club.
“There would be 100 at least, and we are aiming to have an individual profile on each of them presented and recorded in history.”
Lynda said along with recognising each past medallist, Bundaberg Surf Life Saving's centenary gave organisers a chance to highlight the changes over the decades, and she said the uniform was one of the biggest alterations.
“At the dinner we will see the evolution of the club house – it started as little timber shack and it has changed eight to nine times, as it was extended over the years to what it is now,” she said.
“There will be a roll call of medallist, life members and patrol hours, and there will also be a fashion parade of the uniforms – there is a big difference from what the uniform was to what it is now.
“I’ve seen old photos of black and white striped speedos; even in the 1960s when teams went away, they would take four or five team uniforms to represent the club – it was like they were part of an Olympic team!”
Lynda said Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club was one of the oldest in Queensland, and in its rich history thousands of local men, women, boys, and girls had given up their time to volunteer on the shores of Nielson Park beach.
“The club was the first club to open north of Coolum and it is believed to be the seventh club to open in Queensland. There are now 54 clubs,” Lynda said.
“We’ve definitely had thousands of members over the 100 years.
“There is a lot of interest in the history, and we are still looking for historic photos and memorabilia or anything to do with the club.
“At the 100-year centenary dinner, on 27 August, we will also launch our history book – we are actually now looking for a graphic designer to finish putting it together.”
During the last weekend of August, Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club will also be open for guests to view the 100-year centenary memorabilia.
For more information about Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club centenary check out the Facebook page or email 100years@bundabergslsc.com.au.
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I am so thrilled to have received this information.
We live in Brisbane but am looking forward to this special event in August and returning to my old home town.
I still remember our wonderful band, The Rhondels (not sure if I have spelt it correctly).
Kind regards,
Lorraine Trevor (nee Braund)
Are you related to Bill and John Trevor
Yes I will be there with my photos of my father, Reg Whittaker together with my Godfather Noel Bullpitt. I have photos of my mother together with Booey Nelthorp who were members of the first ladies lifesavers. I was the surfboat captain way back then, I have many memories to share. Until then, Robert Whittaker
Hi Robert – like you the Bundy Surf Club was so much part of our family life. I also hope to attend the celebrations in August so hope we can catch up. Cheers Jenny Carroll (Bullpitt)
Can I send those photos to anybody? Do I have to book a seat for the dinner? Please reply to robertwhittaker2424 @ gmail.com
Jenny, gee I was hoping that you would be there, I had no idea as to how to contact you. Can you email me at robertwhittaker2424 @ gmail.com
Oh it would be SO wonderfull to be able to catch up with you.