The mass exodus north to compete in the Australian Life Saving Championships (the Aussies) has begun, with residents sending in messages ‘from the road’ as athletes and families from local surf clubs take the opportunity to enjoy the Summer-becoming-Autumn beauty of this place in a slow dawdle up the coast.
The following extracts, ‘Those Wooden Things’ – and more, is from the celebratory Avalon Beach SLSC centenary book ‘’100 Years of Saving Lives’’.
Avalon Beach SLSC’s Boat Division teams have been competing with the clubs’ traditional caps according to Ash Cardiff, Director Surf Sports, and will do so at this year's Aussies too. The boaties got SLSAs OK to do so.
The 2026 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships will be held on the Gold Coast, Queensland at North Kirra SLSC and Tugun SLSC from 21 – 29 March.
The Aussies is an annual event where members from Australia’s 316 Surf Clubs come together to compete in more than 550 beach and ocean events. It is the largest event of its kind, only comparing the likes of the Commonwealth Games.
The event features:
- Youth Championships (U13-U15): March 21–22, 2026.
- Masters Championships: March 23–24, 2026.
- Open Championships: March 25–29, 2026.
- Aussies Ocean Swim: March 22, 2026.
- Adaptive Events: March 28, 2026
The Surf Boat competition will take place from Wednesday March 24 to Sunday March 29, opening with the Masters Divisions.
More at: https://sls.com.au/aussies/ Results will be updated at: https://liveheats.com/slsa
Avalon Beach SLSC’s LASS, is competing in the 160 yrs min Female Surf Boat and again in the Reserve Females alongside Reserves Women Crew the Thunderstrokes, while the U23 women Avalon Beach IVY will also race. The Pinkies will be going for more gold in the Open Male Division and their Open Female crew, Sweet Feet, is also in contention.
Avalon Beach SLSC’s LASS crew won silver at the 2026 ASRL Open with Sarah Oaten, Bow, Lyndsay Dowsett, Second Bow, Alexandra Salier, Second Stroke, Simone Polly, Stroke and Nathan Wellings, Sweep.
Avalon Beach SLSC Boat Division 2025-2026 Season
Although this chapter focusses on those competitive feats, the surf boat was originally rescue lifesaving equipment, drawing its heritage from the lifeboats and skills of the boatswains of old. Pittwater has one excellent local example in Broken Bay Customs station, beneath Barrenjoey Headland on Station Beach, which the Lighthouse itself and those families who ‘manned’ this Light-Station from 1867 onwards, worked in concert with.
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Station Beach, Pittwater, circa 1879-1880, photos courtesy State L:ibrary of NSW
The newspapers of the past also provide several instances of the surf boat of Avalon Beach SLSC being called out, even during the months outside the traditional Patrol Season, as well as during the Season, to help others. One example from March 21-22 1956, 70 years ago next weekend, tells us:
Night Rescue Of Yacht Disabled Off Avalon Beach
Two men and two girls drifted in a dismasted sloop for five and a half hours in heavy seas last night before being taken in tow by the pilot steamer, Captain Cook, off Manly.
The sloop, the 34ft Iolaire, left Sydney yesterday morning with a crew of five for Palm Beach, and was taken in tow at 9.30 p.m.
The crew are: Clive Way, 22, of Jellicoe Street, Lidcombe, owner of the sloop; Robert Jones, 19. of Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach; Colin Cook, 28, of city; Joan Keyworth, 21, of Beach Road, Manly; Pam Walsh, 18, of Pentecost Highway, Turramurra.
Off North Avalon Head a gust of wind carried away about 6ft of lolaire's mast.
The dismasted sloop drifted to within 200 yards of jagged rocks before the crew managed to rig a jury-sail.
The Avalon Surf Club junior boat crew, in charge of Brian Sheehan, rowed three and a half miles to the sloop after competing in the Bilgola carnival.
They took off Colin Cook who arranged for a launch from Palm Beach to tow the Iolaire to an anchorage in Pittwater.
MAST SNAPPED
Clive Way said last night: "I have had Iolaire only for a week.
"On the' way to Palm Beach all went well until we got to Avalon.
"We were about a mile off shore when a heavy gust of wind struck us, and the top snapped off the mast like a carrot.
. "Within seconds we were wallowing in the heavy, seas.
"The sloop was drifting inshore at an alarming rate.
"I tossed out the anchor. It held for a while, then the rope snapped.
These four young people were towed into the Harbour by the pilot steamer Captain Cook yesterday after drifting for 5 hours in their dismasted yacht, the 34ft sloop Iolaire. Left to right are Robert Jones, 19, Pam Walsh, 18, Joan Key worth, 21, and Clive Way, 22.
IN NICK OF TIME
"We were really in trouble. "I managed to make a jury rig, which gave us steering way.
"We only got the jury rig up in the nick of time. We were 200 yards from the rocks.
"The junior boat crew from Avalon, which had been competing in a surf carnival at Bilgola, rowed three miles out to us.
"We put Colin Cook in the boat and told him to arrange for a launch to come round from Palm Beach and tow us.
TIRED AND SICK
"It was almost dark by this time and a freshening nor'easter was pushing us south.
"I began to get worried about us going on to Long Reef, or Newport Reef.
"We were all pretty tired and sick with worry.
"In the darkness the girls and I really became scared when they realised that the rescue launch couldn't find us.
"But I knew we were drifting southwards and someone would put out from Sydney for us.
"At 9 p.m. we saw the lights of the Captain Cook.
"I signalled with a light from the generating plant.
. "We were towed into Watson's Bay about 10.30 p.m." Night Rescue Of Yacht Disabled Off Avalon Beach (1954, March 22). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article27518761
The Introduction for Avalon Beach SLSC's Centenary book, ''100 Years of Saving Lives” states:
‘In the year 2000, Geoff Searl OAM compiled and wrote “75 Years Saving Lives 1925-2000”, a history of the first 75 Years of Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club. It was a huge undertaking and provides the basis for this book. In the centenary year it was decided up update this book to the current day and include a refresh of the 1990’s section.
Thank you to the following contributors who wrote and compiled these sections.
1990-1999 Roger Sayers OAM and Warren Young OAM
2000-2009 Christine Hopton OAM
2010-2019 Richard Cole
2020-2025 Bernadette McKay
Over its one hundred years the Club has had numerous ups and downs, thankfully with many more ups than downs. The Club has shown itself to be resilient from the significant events covered in this book. Success has depended on many factors, but ultimately it depended on its people... many more than even those mentioned here. We have been very fortunate in attracting a great many talented, innovative, imaginative and dedicated people striving to ensure that no lives are lost while our patrols are on duty. The Club is a focal point, active participant and contributor to the Avalon Beach community, staging many community oriented events along with its primary role of volunteer surf lifesaving.
As with all volunteer surf clubs there is an ongoing need to replenish and renew patrolling membership as individuals progress through all stages of life. New members of all ages and genders are always encouraged to join, learn new skills, participate and have fun while undertaking a responsible community service, and becoming part of the Avalon Beach SLSC Family.
The pages of this book illustrate the long and colourful history of the Club. We are well placed and looking forward to meeting the challenges of the next one hundred years.’
Avalon Beach SLSC has made PDF's of '100 Years of Saving Lives' available to download on its website. Visit: avalonbeachslsc.com.au/our-history
The following extract records the evolvement of the surf boat in competitive surf sports at Avalon Beach SLSC.
Those Wooden Things
By Geoff Searl OAM
(Avalon Beach SLSC Surf Boats 1936-1980)
Although the Club began in 1925 it wasn’t until early 1936 that Club member Wally Simmonds managed to obtain our first surfboat called “Akubra” from his old club Queenscliff SLSC. The next mention of a boat came in late 1938 when it stated that ‘another six pounds was raised at a card night which will go towards a new surfboat being built’.
At the “sixth annual meeting” held in September almost all of last year’s officials were re-elected. “Accommodation is being provided locally for members, and this should attract a larger membership than formerly” (when accommodation was in the clubhouse). Another six pounds was raised at a card night which will go towards a new surfboat being built, but this time it was held at the home of Geoff Hanson, the Club Captain. In November the Club received donations of a ‘wireless set and an ambulance stretcher’ and the new boat was delivered. It was christened by the Patron’s wife, Mrs H W Smith on 4 December 1938. Cliff Rudd from the Newport club and members from the new Whale Beach Club were in attendance. The old boat was put up for sale for ten pounds. Unfortunately for the Club, Boat Captain Alan Rowe got transferred to Brisbane. Alan was one of the mainstays of the Club in the late thirties and Mrs Rowe was a valuable member of the Social Committee.
A trailer was purchased for the new boat.
'The boat shot (our first) is from 1938 and although the nameplate reads ‘Avalon’ it was most probably the original “Akubra” which Wally Simmonds obtained from his old club Queenscliff. The crew include Geoff Hanson (starboard side midships) brother Tom Hanson (sweep), Ted Sanders (Sanders Lane fame) on the port side in the hat and Peter Paterson (almost obscuring the sweep). - GS, 2016
Photo: ‘Mrs H W Smith christens Avalon’s new boat. Cliff Rudd, Maurie Shipton and Dick Miller are amused’ Quote from Surf in Australia, page 8, 3rd January 1939.
The old boat was put up for sale for ten pounds. From available records it seems that Alan Rowe, nephew of architect Harry Ruskin Rowe, was the Club’s first Boat Captain but his stay was short lived, as soon after in 1939 he was transferred to Brisbane. By early 1939 the first boat trailer had been purchased.
Gordon Brown was the next Boat Captain and the December 1939 issue of ‘Surf in Australia’ reported the following:
‘The Green and Reds are bursting into the competitive season with a boat crew, and have high hopes of being to the fore at the carnivals. Boat Captain Gordon Brown and his merry band, Reg Ray, “High-Side” Howard, Cliff Spooner and Geoff Hanson are putting in some hard training, so watch ‘em.’
At their first outing on 12 November at the Whale Beach carnival they were beaten by the Newport boat into second place by the ‘proverbial whisker’. Limited success elsewhere had brought the comment ‘The boat crew has been striving hard to crack a win, but oars and sweeps are the only things cracked to date’. Circumstances within the boat crew, as well as the Club, brought on by the enlistment of Active Members to war service meant that there were even insufficient members to row the boat, let alone patrol the beach.
Boat Captain Gordon Brown had turned his hand to pillow-fighting and won two inter-club carnivals. By December 1940 the Committee decided to sell the surfboat and were asking seventy-five pounds for it ‘ex Avalon’.’ The boat story rests here for a few years for obvious reasons.
At the beginning of the 1945 - 1946 Season “Miss STC II” was purchased from the Queenscliff Club for twenty pounds. The boat proved a real asset to the Club, giving the many new members from the Police Boys’ Clubs squads a chance to learn about handling a surfboat and its application in surf rescue and patrol.
On Sunday 30 December the patrol were very busy with difficult conditions in the surf and two rescues were effected using the boat providing a first hand example to the ‘new chums’. J.Kearns was the Boat Captain (BC) and John Andries was the Boat Vice Captain (BVC).
Sadly the boat was badly holed towards the end of the season and considered not worth repairing because of its age. An advertisement for a new boat was placed with N & E Towns of Newcastle. Patron Mr Geoff Robin donated thirty pounds and the department store Nock and Kirby, donated five pounds towards the Boat Fund.
An urgent advertisement for a boat was placed in ‘SIA’ with requests for any communication with the Hon. Sec. J C Wells. At the commencement of the new season (1946-47) Mr Robin very generously donated a second-hand surfboat to the Club after hearing of our plight.
Timber Merchants, Hayes Bros from Neutral Bay gave the boat a facelift and according to reports ‘she looked as good as new’. With the cost of a new surfboat running at around 170 pounds it was suggested that all members who would be future rowers must become accomplished rowers before being permitted in a new boat.
Doug Crane and his Avalon Beach SLSC mates, circa 1946-48
The 1947 - 1948 report proudly announced the receipt of our first new boat, “Robin I” named after our generous Patron. She was christened by Mrs M Hunter, wife of the President at the launching ceremony on Sunday 7 December 1947. BC Gordon Brown supervised the construction and looked forward to competition in the new boat. Gordon swept the new boat, Fred Woodley rowed stroke, Doug Crane - second stroke, Jack Thompson - second bow and Reg Wood rowed bow.
During the early part of the season the number two boat was moored at the Spit for still water training by the two crews. There were times also when the boat crew trained at Coogee but used Clovelly’s boat shed. Travelling to boat training was never easy and at one stage members of the crew came from Paddington, Abbotsford, Waterloo and Sans Souci. Next season when the crew trained at Double Bay members came from Clovelly, Paddington, Taylors Square and Abbotsford.
A couple of the crew thought that Jack ‘Thommo’ was a ‘lazy rower’. On a training run from Double Bay, Jack made comment on the huge shackle on top of one of the Navy’s moorings. ‘Brownie’ took him over for a closer look and when he climbed on top the crew took off, leaving the silly bugger marooned and with plenty of time for a long and hard look.
By the 1949 - 1950 Season “Robin I” was showing signs of wear. Mr C L Brown donated a new plank and paint and a few members gave many hours during the winter months to assist Mr Brown to replace the damaged plank and scrape and repaint the boat.
The sweep oar was also damaged but beyond repair so Mr. Frank Spence kindly donated the timber for a new one. Max McCredie and Doug Crane put in some late nights and turned out a new sweep in record time, apparently one that would have done any boat builder proud. Mr Robin must have anticipated the shortening life of “Robin I” and offered to bear the entire cost of replacement himself and so a new boat was ordered. During the season ‘our very much improved boat crew thrilled us by winning the Senior Boat Race at the Palm Beach carnival.’ Jim Campbell was BC and Max Watt was BVC.
The 1950 - 1951 Season began well with a victory by the boat crew at our own and first carnival. The new boat was well received and named appropriately “Geoff Robin II”. It was the first of our boats to have a ‘tuck’ stern compared to the old ‘double-enders’. BC Jim Campbell swept the crew and BVC Brian Sheehan was stroke. Jack Thompson was second stroke, Max Watt - second bow and Reg Wood rowed bow.
The new boatshed was begun in the 1951-52 season with the main impetus coming from Club Captain Harry Ragan and Patron Norman Cook.
Many hours of hard work from Ian Gorrie, BC Brian Sheehan, Ken and Neil Davidson and David King saw the new building almost finished in one season. The fund raising by the Harrington, MacDonald and Murch families for the Boatshed Fund was considered an outstanding effort. Mention was also made of the new ‘Avalon News’ (editor - Ron Searl) helping with publicising and further fund-raising by the community. The senior crew scored a couple of seconds at carnivals. The crew was Brian Sheehan, Russ Tibbey, D. Duff, J, Spencer and Ken Davidson. Brian swept the juniors, A Hyde, L Finley, D Duff and J Sowerby.
The 1952 - 1953 Season saw the completion of the new boatshed including sleeping accommodation for members. Cunningly, the roof was timber which would eventually be inverted to become the dance floor in the proposed clubhouse additions. The Hon.Architect at the time was probably Vice-President Harry Ruskin Rowe. The Senior Boat Crew managed two firsts, one second and one third at carnivals during the season. The crew were BC Brian Sheehan, R Brown BVC, Max Watt, Russ Tibbey, J King, Ken Davidson, David King and B Head.
By the 1953 - 1954 Season the “Geoff Robin II” through years of hard service had ‘reached a stage where keeping it seaworthy is beyond all our efforts.’ Unfortunately the ‘almost fifty pounds’ put towards a new boat by the Boat Appeal Committee needed a lot of adding to but hopes were high for the coming season.
The only real mention of a boat in the 1954-55 season is the one the Club hoped to buy. One had been written off during the season and costly repairs had been affected on the remaining one in the hopes it would see out the coming season on light duties. Mr J Cooper-Webster had already raised considerable funds towards the cost of a new boat. Vice-President J Cooper-Webster had raised such a substantial contribution towards funds that the boat was properly named in his honour.
The “J Cooper” was launched during the 1955 - 1956 Season by Mrs Norman Cook who ‘performed the office as though to the manor born’. The Hon. Sec. to the National Council who attended the launching paid special tribute to the Club for its untiring work with the SLSA and their endeavour to remain self-supporting. Many complimentary remarks were received by the Ladies Auxiliary for their afternoon tea served following the launch. The boat crew at the launch were BC Brian Sheehan, BVC Brian Sproule, Jack Watt and Peter Coleman. The insignia of the boat was an unmistakable stag’s head within a shield and the motto ‘ready aye ready’ below it.
The 1956 - 1957 Season was to be the last of six in a row for Brian Sheehan as Boat Captain. After a great effort Brain was stepping aside to make way for his able deputy BVC Brian Sproule. Unfortunately for the Club and Brian Sheehan it was a lean year in competition due to poor attendance at training at the Spit. Brian thanked Max Watt and John Day for the transport of the boat both to training and carnivals. Also unfortunately, only one season after the launch of a boat in his name the passing was recorded of J Cooper-Webster.
The 1957 - 1958 Season saw more enthusiasm towards the boat and the new BC Brian Sproule thanked the crew for their commitment. They were Jack Watt, L Smith, G Crab and Alan Eagles. BVC Peter Coleman helped with the upkeep of the boat and Max and Jeff Spence helped with transport. A new Boat Fund was kicked off which had ninety-six pounds and eleven shillings already deposited. By the next season this had been pushed to 200 pounds and a second-hand ply boat was purchased from North Bondi SLSC. Excellent support again came from Norman Cook who donated a full set of oars. The Club took the opportunity to name the boat after him in recognition of his generosity. The support from other members was not so forthcoming and the same crew was left to man the boat every time it was required. Jack Watt and Paul Sheehan shared the duties of BVC.
Brian Sproule kept the job of BC for the 1959 - 1960 Season and Len Smith joined him as BVC. The rest of the crew were Brian Sheehan, J Farley, Johnny Greaves and Don Mitchell. Carnival representation was good but without success. The “J Cooper” was sold to a Tasmanian Club for thirty pounds and this money was used to repair the ply boat damaged at the Maroubra Carnival.
Whilst Hayes Timber made their truck available to tow the boat to carnivals locally in 1960-61, Collaroy SLSC generously towed our boat to Adelaide for the Australian Titles. Although without success the trip was enjoyed by the boat crew. Representation at carnivals this season was almost solely by the boat crew. Council President, Bill Berry was in attendance with other Council Officers when he presented a new surfboat to the Club from the Council. Councilor John L Fisher was most surprised when he learnt that his wife was to christen the boat after him. A large crowd watched while the new boat cracked a few waves and then they enjoyed afternoon tea in the old clubhouse.
The Warringah Shire Council Meeting held June 1 1959 records in its Minutes: ''C) Avalon Beach Surf Club, 27/5/59, expressing appreciation re the Council's decision regarding donation of a surf boat, and looking forward to receiving a boat next year. ‘Received’.''
Surfboats of various clubs on a northern Sydney beach [Long Reef], early 1960's (November 1962) / photo by Allan A. Hedges P/L. Item SLNSW_FL20059576, courtesy the Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW - section from:
The 1961 - 1962 Season was the leanest in the boats for many seasons. BC Brian Sproule thought that might have been the case when the boat crew he thought showed so much promise called it a day at the end of the previous season. Brian’s attitude and work rate stood out from some other member’s weak efforts who held equally responsible positions. He also managed to sweep the crew to the semi-finals in the Branch Championships. BVC Jim Burgess helped him share the load.
After five years at the helm of the boats, Brian Sproule stepped down and his BVC Jim Burgess took over as BC for the 1962-63 Season. Competitive spirit was poor at Open Carnivals and even the boat crew suffered with lack of members. Towards the end of the season the “John L Fisher” was wrecked during a mass rescue. The event was much publicised with the result that a Boat Fund was immediately begun. Many generous locals contributed willingly but the principal donor was a Club member’s father who gave 250 pounds. A new boat was ordered and the deposit paid. Subsequently Warringah Shire Council donated a new boat also and the new season was going to begin in a slightly embarrassing fashion with two new boats.
Brian Sheehan returned as BC for the 1963 - 1964 Season to add to the good work his ‘protégé’ had been setting up. Alby Maxwell assisted as BVC. The Club was represented by crews at every carnival held in the Manly-Warringah Branch, many Sydney Branch carnivals and State and Australian Titles. Success didn’t really come our way but next season should’ve seen training and perseverance pay off. Unfortunately, nothing of any greatness did eventuate. The Senior Crew won their heat at the State Carnival at Coogee but were put out in the semifinals.
Tom Schweitzer and Brian Sproule helped Alby Maxwell as BC keep the boats (and crews) in shape. Except for the Junior Crew achieving a fine second place in the Branch Championships the 1965-66 season was also a quiet one in the boats. Tommy Schweitzer was happy with the progress made during the season however and was hopeful for the coming season.
The 1966 - 1967 Season was one of renewed enthusiasm within the Club and especially in the boats. Club Captain Brian Sproule swept the Junior Crew - Dennis Casali, Rick Millar, John Griffin and Dave Larcombe to victory in every restricted carnival throughout the season. Fund raising during the season enabled the purchase of a new boat. The Ladies Auxiliary and Mr Norman Cook contributed significant amounts. Contributions also came from a number of locals including Vice-President Ron and Gwen Searl who ran a great Boat Fund Barbecue at their home. Both Mr Sproule and Ron Searl went guarantors for the boat purchase.
The new boat was christened “Norman Cook III”. Tommy Schweitzer was BC and Geoff Harris was his BVC. The new boat won for the Branch Patrol Efficiency Competition by the Club last season was delivered in the 1967 - 1968 Season. It was donated by Smith, Kline and French Laboratories Ltd from Frenchs Forest and christened “S K & F no 4” by Norah Thompson.
Thanks were given to Roy Hartman, Brian Sheehan and Ron Ware, together with the boat crews, for the work they put in to obtain the materials for and making the new boat trailer.
Avalon Beach Surf Boat Carnival circa 1967 - Item: SLNSW_FL19973153
A quiet couple of years in the boats followed with little activity reported other than a ‘scratch boat crew starting now and again’ in the 1969 - 1970 Season. During this time Brian Sproule was approached by a few of the female partners of members who were keen to try their hands at rowing a surfboat. Knowing the ‘hierarchy’ wouldn’t consent easily to such a venture, the boat was rowed to North Avalon on an appropriate day where the ladies became the new crew. The crew, as best as can be ascertained was Lenya Laurich, Sue Henderson, Diana Searl and Denise Ware.
A great time was had by all and ‘Splasha’ was duly impressed by their ability, however because of the different status of females then, compared to the current happy situation, the experience could not have been made ongoing.
Maybe it was Lod Leggett’s influence in the 1970 - 1971 Season but wherever it came from enthusiasm in the boats went off the scale. The Senior A Crew reached the semifinals and finals at most open carnivals. The Junior Crew also ‘did themselves proud’ reaching the semifinals at the State Championships placing them seventh out of sixty crews overall. Once again John Towner and Phil Jacobs chipped in to lend a hand to BVC Brendon Thompson.
The 1971 - 1972 Season began in high spirits when the Club took delivery of a Council-donated surfboat. Without hesitation the boat was named the “Jean Feehely” in recognition of the support and fund-raising she had given the Club over many years. The naming ceremony was performed by Councillor Peter Dawson’s wife. The Club then purchased a new boat trailer. BC Phil Jacob reported that from the first carnival (Warrilla Barrack Point) it appeared to be the beginning of a successful year when all crews - ‘A , B, and Juniors’ rowed well enough to make the semis and the finals. Although the Senior A crew suffered the loss of two members through accident and ‘misadventure’ other members stepped in to help out. As a result all three crews were entered at most carnivals but it was the Juniors who made their mark being placed in fifteen out of twenty starts.
They won the ‘Stanton Shield’ (a first for Avalon Beach) and also won at Bungan, North Palm Beach and Whale Beach carnivals. They were placed third in the Branch Carnival, second in the State Titles but were eliminated in the semis at the Australian Titles.
Phil thought it important enough to list the three crews involved:
Juniors were: B Torning - bow, G Davis - second bow, B Thompson - second stroke, C Leggett - stroke and John Towner swept the crew.
B Crew: S Smith - bow, T Palmer - second bow, D Weston - second stroke, J Wells - stroke and swept by B Horris.
A Crew: G Bell - bow, N Luxton and T Caldwell - second bow, J Towner and D Casali - second stroke, P Jacobs and R Millar - stroke and Lod Leggett was both the Sweep and the Coach.
A new boat donated by CAGA Ltd last season was launched during the early part of the 1972 - 1973 season. The christening was performed by Mrs Gordon McBeith, wife of one of the Chief Executives of Commercial and General Acceptance Ltd. (CAGA) in the presence of a large group of representatives of that company. A representative of the Commanding Officer of HMAS ‘Nirimba’ and Mrs Robertson and her family also attended since the day chosen for the christening was the Malcom Robertson Memorial Competition day.
Although the season was a big effort year it seemed that it lacked the success which should’ve come our way. Some rowers travelled over fifty kilometres to train three nights a week and weekends.
Although the B Crew were placed nine times from ten appearances, they joined the A Crew and the Juniors in a lean season. That was until they travelled to Queensland waters for the Australian Titles. Both crew suddenly clicked and put up such a good showing they made appearances in the local press. All the crews lead by BC John Towner raised a considerable amount of money with three big fund-raising events. The boat needed some work after the trip north, eight sweep oars needed splicing and three regular oars needed repairs.
The crews consisted of:
Junior - Bob Torning, Scott Harrod, Ian Thompson, Greg Davis and John Towner swept.
B Crew - Bob Torning, Greg Davis, Brendan Thompson, Chad Leggett and Geoff Harris swept. A Crew - G Bell, John Griffin, Graham Wise, Phil Jacobs and Sweep was again John Towner. Lod Leggett was the Sweep at the Australian Championships.
Preparation was the catchword and the name of the game for the 1973 - 1974 season. It began in May 1973 when four members of the original Senior Crew - Graeme Bell, John Griffin, John Towner and Phil Jacobs (BC again) joined George Chappel at his “Century Gym”. Lod Leggett then handed out his own brand of demanding schedule with Geoff Harris as assistant. The early start paid off with impressive results despite some forced changes to crew personnel.
Both Graeme Bell and Geoff Harris left due to work commitments but Rick Millar and ‘retired’ coach Lod Leggett filled the spaces admirably. This Senior Crew started in fourteen Open Carnivals and finished in eight finals including a first, second and third. They also finished in three marathons and placed first in the Branch Championships, second in the Metropolitan, first in the State Championships and third in the Glenelg National Open Carnival. They also won back the Stanton Shield (to show they hadn’t slackened off).
The Reserve Crew started in thirteen Open Carnivals and finished in twelve finals including three firsts and two seconds and a first in the Branch Championships. That gave them the Double - Branch Gold Medal for Open and Reserve. They also came fourth in the State Titles and third in the semi-finals of the Reserve National Championships. The Reserve Crew were Bob Torning - bow, Greg Davis - second bow, Trevor Palmer - second stroke and Chad Leggett rowed Stroke while John Towner swept. During the season CAGA provided a complete boat cover. At one stage during the season the Club owned three trucks used to tow the boats around but due to the high cost of maintenance and repairs all three had to be sold.
The Senior A crew and the Senior Reserve crews began the 1974 - 1975 Season where they left off the last season. Except for a very temporary appearance by S. Battaglene (and eventual replacement by original second stroke Trevor Palmer) in the Reserves, both crews remained unchanged from the previous season. Lod Leggett came out of retirement again to sweep the A’s.
The season began well with a second place at the Umina Carnival followed by a first at our own carnival (which was a ‘first’ also). Hon. Sec Phil Donald reckoned he could hear Rick Millar from the clubhouse - Manly Clubhouse! Jim Campbell and Max Watt discussing their next move - a penny for your thoughts Max!!!
A first at McMasters Carnival was the beginning of a downhill slide for the A’s and they finished the season with two firsts, three seconds and three thirds from twenty-three starts. The Reserves continued to be placed at most starts and finished their season with two firsts, two seconds and seven thirds from twenty starts. They also reached the semi-finals at the Australian Championships. The Stanton Shield was retained by the Club again.
After several years in the boats Phil Jacobs signed off as BC and hinted at the need for some changes. The two boats, “Jean Feehely” and “CAGA” were both ‘on their last waves (legs!) and longing for competition retirement’. Lod was also hoping for permanent retirement so another sweep would have to be found. Lod was presented with an ‘Honour Blazer’ at the AGM to recognise his contribution to rowing and boats in the Club.
The 1975 - 1976 Season was aimed at rebuilding active membership and as a result the boats had a quiet season competitively. They were used mainly to provide interest for promising rowers/crews. Probably the biggest loss was John Towner’s move north. In BC Greg Davis’s words “he was recognised as one of the finest surf boatsmen around. He was one of those who made Avalon one of the top surfboat clubs in the State, being not only a fine rower and an excellent sweep but an inspiration to the other members of the crews.”
Lod Leggett retired from sweeping (again!) but not before sweeping Avalon Beach to victory in the Stanton Shield and a place in the semi-finals at our own carnival. These were the only events in which a boat crew started. Lod’s retirement left just a skeleton of the Senior crew so Rick Millar and John Griffin headed south and rowed the season with Collaroy. With Rick Millar at the helm (figuratively and relatively) the Club began to rebuild its boat crews in the 1976-77 Season. With Rick’s undoubted enthusiasm and the ability he had gained as a willing pupil of Lod and compatriot of John Towner, the future seemed assured. The Senior crew began well as G Henwood, R Torning, D Harrod, G Davis and Rick swept. But settling in wasn’t easy as Davis soon moved to WA. Probably the biggest loss was John Towner’s move north.
In BC Greg Davis’s words “he was recognised as one of the finest surf boatsmen around. He was one of those who made Avalon one of the top surfboat clubs in the State, being not only a fine rower and an excellent sweep but an inspiration to the other members of the crews.”
Lod Leggett retired from sweeping (again!) but not before sweeping Avalon Beach to victory in the Stanton Shield and a place in the semi-finals at our own carnival. These were the only events in which a boat crew started. Lod’s retirement left just a skeleton of the Senior crew so Rick Millar and John Griffin headed south and rowed the season with Collaroy.
Rick’s undoubted enthusiasm and the ability he had gained as a willing pupil of Lod and compatriot of John Towner, the future seemed assured. The Senior crew began well as G Henwood, R Torning, D Harrod, G Davis and Rick swept. But settling in wasn’t easy as Davis soon moved to WA and Torning succumbed to injury. R Mayles and D Edwards more than adequately filled their shoes and the crew took shape.
To their credit they made it to the final of the Branch Championship and quarterfinal of the Australian Championship and Rick considered their potential ‘unlimited’. He formed a Junior crew late in the season and in a very short time they too were making roads into competitive success. At their first outing they were just nudged out of a Bronze Medal at the Metropolitan Championships. Then they travelled to Melbourne and just missed the final after four trips out and around the cans in three and four metre surf. After breaking an oar soon after the start, the Senior crew managed a second place in the Stanton Shield, completing the race with just the three oars. The Junior crew were J Moat, R Feehely, B Alexander, G Briggs and swept by Rick (who held this new crew up as future champs).
The 1977 - 1978 Season in the boats was one of ‘disruptions’ and ‘bad luck’. The A crew never really ‘got off the ground’ (or left the beach) due to multiple crew changes causing far too many disruptions. They were: D Edwards, P O’Connor, S Harrod, R Mayles, B Torning, G Davis and swept by Rick. The B crew: G Briggs, J Griffin, P Longworth and P Jacobs (also swept by Rick) were the best performed crew but luck never came their way (according to Rick).
The sad tale follows:
''They were coming first in the semi-final of the Branch Championship but slewed and ended up outside of the area. In the Metropolitan Championships they were coming second in their semi-final but a boat on the same wave beached first and knocked them out. In the State Championships they caught the lead boat after a bad start and in an extra quick ‘buoyo’ they hit the can and it ran around the outside of the boat. At the Australian Championships they were disqualified in their quarterfinal for not finishing on their marker. A Junior crew got underway but too late in the season to claim any significant achievements. They were R Feehely, B Walker, J Moat B Alexander and swept by Rick.''
With help from Warringah Shire Council the Club purchased a new boat from R Corby in Kiama. It was named after local identity, businessman and great supporter of the Club for around forty years “Bill McDonald” and it was christened by his wife Beatrice. The christening crew were P O’Connor, D Edward, B Mayles, P Jacobs and Rick Millar.
During the season Rick held the positions of Boat Captain, Treasurer, Branch Delegate, Competition Manager and sat on the Judiciary Committee. Quiet season eh Rick?
The 1978 - 1979 Season began without any boat crews at all, despite the promise of last season. From a growing band of Juniors four approached Rick and convinced him they could make a crew. Doubtful initially, Rick (as BC and sweep) started them on a training schedule and they set to work as a team.
They reached the semi-finals in their first carnival start and for the rest of the season made the semi-finals and finals in every carnival bar one. No-one was more surprised than Rick and he admitted the effort was worth it. They were Brenton Anderson - stroke, Brent Walker - second stroke, Mark Beverley - second bow and Tim Freer - bow.
The 1979 - 1980 Season wasn’t a great one for boats despite Lod Leggett coming out of retirement yet again and this time as BC. The Junior crew from late last season which showed such promise failed to materialise.
The Club was represented at a number of carnivals by a Senior crew: Chad Leggett, Greg Davis, Bob Mayles, Bob Torning and Greg Briggs. Competition and training was made continuously difficult without a suitable vehicle to tow the boat trailer.
The “Jean Feehely” was sold through the agency of John Towner, now a member of Currumbin SLSC. Lod was pleased with the new storage for the boats with excellent weatherproofing for both gear and boats.
The 1980 - 1981 Season saw active membership drop so that the Club had the smallest membership of the twenty-one clubs forming the Manly Warringah Branch. After alterations to the constitution during an Extraordinary General Meeting, three girls went on active patrol duty. With Chief Instructor Mark Houlder’s help and guidance, three girls passed their Bronze Examination during the season. They were Gina Rounds, Jodie Walker and Claudette Xuereb and they attended a total of twenty-two patrol hours (on three different patrols). According to Club Captain Peter Akehurst all three ‘were well received by all’. President Doug Crane noted that since the close of the season three girls had also passed their Qualifying Certificates (though no names were mentioned). This was a milestone in Club history.
The Clubhouse was redecorated and rearranged as no major internal work had been undertaken since it was built. On a positive note, The Patrol Efficiency standing went from nineteen to five in this season. Avalon ‘A’ Crew earned a bronze medal at the State Championships in the ‘A’ Teams Rescue event for the IRBs. The team consisted of: Drivers - Warren Mitchell, Fred Rollo, Coxswains - Terry Mitchell, Doug Timbrell, Patient - Murray Howe. It was an especially auspicious win for Warren Mitchell who had originally introduced the ‘Rubber Duck’ to Australia.
Records from the 1982 - 1983 Season show Membership was at an all time high and members seemed to be staying longer at the Club than in previous seasons. On the negative side, the Branch Patrol Efficiency dropped to eleventh place. The ‘Bunkhouse’ was changed into a gym. This was really a clear indication of how local the club had become as the Club needed a gym more than a bunkhouse. In November 1982, the scattering of ashes took place off Avalon Beach of Brian Sheehan - a Life Member who contributed so much to the Club for over 30 years.
During the 1983 - 1984 Season, the ‘50 Year SLSA Long Service Award’ was presented to Lod Leggett. Lod started his surfing career in the 1933-34 season at the North Bondi Club. After the interruption of World War II, he went to several clubs - Currumbin, North Wollongong, Shellharbour and Warrila Barracks Point where he was Founder and Life Member. He joined AB SLSC in the 1990-91 season. Lod won State Championships and was always keen to impart his expert knowledge to younger members. Branch Patrol Efficiency improved dramatically to second place. Kathy Morris became the first lady crewman. ‘Coppertone’ was a sponsor of the Club and it still has a ‘Coppertone’ rescue board in use. Avalon Beach now had IRBs covering patrol hours 100%. Max Watts’ magnificent swim to gain third place was a highlight in the hotly contested ‘Over 40’ field at the Avalon Beach Carnival.
The 1983 - 1984 season saw two new successful female Bronze candidates join the Active Patrol ranks, Mick Byrne’s daughter Katherine and Kathryn Morris. Kathryn Morris also gained her Advanced Resuscitation Certificate and became the first IRB crewman (crewwoman?) in the Club. She was also one of the six members of the winning team of the Warren Mitchell Pointscore at the Branch IRB Championships. Not content with the above achievements, she also gained first place in both the Club Championship Flags and Beach Sprint in the Ladies’ Division. Linda Wilson and Michelle Gray also gained their Surf Life Saving Certificates. In the 1984 - 85 season Kathryn Morris officially gained her IRB Crewman’s Certificate.
The 1985 - 1986 Season records new equipment was purchased for the three IRBs, bringing them up-to-date. The Club received a brand new Clymer surfboat sponsored by ‘Formica Plastics’. The sponsorship was gained through a raffle that involved many businesses. For the first time in seven years a Senior boat crew competed and a promising Junior crew was formed by Hector Heathcote. They were known around the boat scene as the ‘Twigmonsters’. They made it through to the second round in nearly all the carnivals in which they competed.
Season 1986 - 1987 records a fundraising venture. Some members of the boat crew made a very concerted attack on the television programme ‘It’s a Knockout’ and came away with some much needed travel funds to attend the Australian Championships in Western Australia. Congratulations to Rick Millar, Craig Goozee, Daryl Johnson, Hector Heathcote, Neil Jones and the girls who made up the final teams.
By the 1988 - 1989 Season the ‘A’ Crew became the best-performed boat crew in the history of the Club. It came second in the Australian Final at the Australian Championship held at Burleigh Heads, Queensland. It took ten judges, fifteen minutes to decide on first and second placings. ‘We were inches from the Gold Medal’.
The crew were: Michael Heathcote (Bow), Mark Wood (2nd Bow), Brent Walker (2nd Stroke), Daryl Johnson (Stroke) and Rick Millar (Sweep). The Club was also was 1989 Manly Warringah Branch Champions.
A new surfboat was purchased and the name of the boat was determined by a draw of all sponsors. The winner was B P Solar Australia. The boat was only used to race in Championship races and the Club won two out of a possible four medals (Branch, Metropolitan, State and Australian Championships). Doug Crane resigned as President of the Club after twelve years in this position.
Records from the 1989 – 1990 Season show ‘GIO’ became the major sponsor with their generous donation of $15,000. This money was used to purchase one surfboat, one set of oars, one trailer and one competitive tent for the Club that displayed the ‘GIO’ logo. The boat was christened on 1 April 1990 by Mr Bill Joceyln, Managing Director of GIO. This was quoted to be the ‘largest outside sponsorship obtained by the Club’.
In 1989 Rick Millar was awarded Life Membership. Rick joined our Club in 1964 and soon after gained his Bronze Medallion. In the following years he held a number of positions ranging from Junior Captain, Gear Steward, Secretary, Patrol Captain, Treasurer, Boat Captain and was a member numerous committees as well as being the Club’s Branch Delegate for around 10 years. His dedication and passion for surfboat rowing is still unsurpassed in the Club. His dreams came true when he and his crew clinched Gold in the Open Mens’ Boat Race at the Australian Championships at Kurrawa in 1993. Rick was inducted into the Australian Surf Rowers Hall of Fame. He was also a Distinguished Service Member of the Sydney Northern Beaches Branch. Rick’s long and passionate association with surf life saving and rowing lasted an incredible 54 years.
Photo: The “A” Boat Crew in the Open Boat Race at the Australian Championships at Kurrawa Qld with Rick Millar, Nathan Press, Brent Walker, Daryl Johnson and Michael “Hector” Heathcote.
Their win was so significant for the Club and the local community that Warren Young, President, wrote: “What a welcome home! Our Boat Crew was given a hero’s welcome. A parade through the streets of Avalon led by the original Freshie Jazz Band the winning boat and our crew sporting their trophies.’’
During the 1993-1994 Season the Masters Boat Crew returned from New Zealand as World Masters and came 2nd in the Australian Masters final. The “A” Open Boat Crew competed in the USA. The U21 Boat Crew came first in the Tooheys “Blue Label” Surf Boat Premiership and 6 boat crews competed for the Club including the Club’s first female crew.
Colts Crew - Bjorn Wolthers, Shaun Wolthers, Pete Carter, Matt Hulme, Rick Millar (Sweep).
The Ladies crew started the year before “as a result of the enthusiasm and determination of Michelle Hall”. Eliza Bryant substituted for her after an accident. Michelle paved the way for other crews, and other clubs.
The 1993 Australian Open Surfboat Champions
In 2023 at launch of two new surf boats: l to r: Hector Heathcote, Darryl Johnson, Nathan Press and Craig Goozee OAM
During the 1994-1995 Season 5 Boat Crews competed. The Club won its 3rd Australian Medal with a bronze won by juniors (Ian Dagleish, Michael Taranto, James Davison, Angus Wilson and Rick Millar) at Kurrawa.
The 1995-1996 Season records the Reserve Surf Boat crew came 2nd at the Australian Titles. The Women’s Surf Boat crew won the Branch Championships. The Club won first place in the Branch Patrol Competition.
During the 1996-1997 Season a Boat Crew came 1st in the Uncle Toby’s Series and Interstate Challenge.
The 1997 – 1998 records show a new sponsored surf boat AAPT is christened and Avalon Beach RSL helps out with new IRB and motor.
The following Season, 1999-1999, the Junior Surf Boat crew came 3rd in Branch championships, Emma Dieters won gold in the Board Riding and our IRBs won 3 gold. Warren Mitchell was awarded OAM and Warren Young was awarded the Pittwater Medal by Pittwater Council.
The 2000-2001 Season records the commendable achievements of the Club’s boat crews, who secured multiple medals at both State and National levels. Their hard work and teamwork were further celebrated with the launch of a new surf boat, the aptly named “Pizza Boat,” which symbolised both the tradition and evolution of the Club’s rowing teams.
Below run a few 'extras' from previous reports and some of the Profiles on the Boaties of Avalon Beach SLSC that have run - who will definitely be having a great row up north next weekend, having already won the great spirit award in this wonderful surf sport.
Australian Titles 2011-12 - Kurrawa: Gold - Masters women’s 160 year Donna Wishart, Kerry McEwan, Beverley Tilbury, Tracy McSullea, Rick Millar - picture from Avalon Beach SLSC's 2011/12 Annual Report
Rick with 'The Pink Bits' - Warriewood Surf Boat - 2013
Rick Millar at Bilgola SLSC Surf Boat Carnival
Avalon Beach SLSC Women’s Masters Boat Crew - The Antiques: a 2014 Profile of the Week
Donna Wishart - Kerry McEwan - Beverley Tilbury - Tracey McSullea
Bow: Donna, 2nd Bow: Tracey, Stroke: Kerry, 2nd Stroke: Beverly, Sweep: Rick Millar.
The Antiques Women’s Masters Boat Crew of Avalon Beach SLSC are a force to be reckoned with. Although many point out they’re ‘dominating’ in their races, and in open races in younger age brackets, the girls don’t think they are; they put it all down to hard work, lots of training, a love of rowing and being a cohesive team. These four ladies enjoy each other’s company and even though each is a high achieving individual with varying interests and backgrounds, in September they will head to France for the Rescue 2014: Lifesaving World Championships to defend their 2012 Gold Medal and then on to Biarritz for the Ocean Thunder International.
Awarded the inaugural Max Watt Competitor of the Year for 2013-14 season, of which they’re particularly proud, with ten children between them, demanding careers as a teacher of Humanities at Barrenjoey and Year 10 (Kerry), media and communications with Surf Life Saving NSW (Donna), part of the Ecodownunder small business franchise at Avalon Beach (Beverly), and even studying while working full time in the case of Tracey, who is going for a Masters Degree of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts, there’s something wonderful that has come together here to gel four individuals into one team.
At practice sessions you see, despite Rick Millar’s famous straight talking, there is a twinkle in this champion sweep’s eye and his tips are softly spoken. It’s all about getting the work done, doing the preparation. The Antiques don’t go up against the waves to create a great spray, which looks great for photographers but is hard on the rowers when you come back down; Rick has taught them to wait for the surge at wave peak and pull then, which allows you to gently get out with the water working with you, not against you.
Having only attended four of the ladies training sessions you only get a small glimpse of how dedicated they are, not how much else they do. Kerry provides details; they do one form of training or another everyday. On Saturdays or Sundays they’re out at Palm Beach, rowing from one end to the other to test their skills in surf running at the northern end, right under the lighthouse. On Wednesday mornings they’re up in the cold and dark doing flat water training, time trials and building strength and perseverance on Pittwater in laps around Scotland Island or up to Lion Island, around that, and back. The other days its running or gym work, but something every single day on top of work and all else they do as individuals.
“Today is the day you win the carnivals,” Rick Millar tells them, “Coming out in the cold and training, when everyone else is asleep.”
That’s the difference – cool and cold mornings, sea still misty with last nights rain and this morning’s sunrise and wanting to be out there amongst it. The early morning sessions remind you that it’s great to be awake and outdoors, on the water. The girls are also committed to being part of other crews; Kerry often helps out with Rick’s younger girls crews and everyone has filled in for other crews when rowers are sick or away.
“We had a whale swim under the boat out there once – that was fantastic. We just kept perfectly still until it had gone - but we'll never forget it. And this morning (Palm Beach - Sunday morning Training Session), there are dolphins around – it’s great.” Beverly and Donna smile.
The George Bass Marathon – what was that like?
We’ve done three of those, 2010, 2012 and 2014. That was tough, but something we wanted to do. Out there (at sea) there are some huge seas, it’s not like surfboat racing at carnivals. It’s the longest pull in the world and we did it, but it was a very tough race. We won the last one in our age division.
Are you going to do it again?
Yes, we are.
At Session 1 the first thing that becomes apparent as these girls lift their own weight per boat weight – a surfboat weighs 220 kilos, physical weight; fact 1. The dynamics in this forms some indication of the bedrock of this boat crew. Rick says “they’re strong, they are physically strong and mentally strong. They can walk down the beach and they’re not taking any crap from anyone, they’ve worked hard, earned it.”
Rick: I call them ‘The Antiques’ because they’re old, but good – like antiques, something that gets better with age.
When did you begin as a boat crew?
Five years ago, we all wanted to row and approached Rick who agreed to take us on.
What is it about being part of a Surf Life Saving boat crew that you all like?
Antiques: The Lifestyle, it’s a lifestyle. There’s a real family within boat crews – we see each other at all the carnivals, we see each other outside of these times in other places as parents and during business and already have a connection due to the passion all rowers have for their sport.
When you won gold at the International World Championships in South Australia, how did that feel?
Bev: that was fantastic. That was really hard rowing.
Kerry: we had some really strong competition and we weren’t confident at all.
Donna: It was difficult weather, a testing surf running.
Is that the point of the still water training – to train for France?
Bev: A bit of both, because after that we’re going to Biarritz. There’s surf at Biarritz. So weekends we do the surf training and here(Clareville) is a lot of strength work and endurance training.
Tracey: and Style, I concentrate on style (laughs).
The dynamics of the four – who is the party girl?
Bev and Donna: Tracey.
Donna: she’s also the princess.
Who is the mother hen?
Donna: That’s Bev.
Bev: Huh!
Tracey: yes, Bev’s the mother hen.
Bev: Donna is the control freak.
Donna: I am the control freak…
And who is the wise one?
Tracey: Maybe that one up there…the schoolteacher.
Bev: yes, Kerry.
Donna: Kerry, yeah.
Tracey: she just rolls her eyes when we’re mucking up, ‘here they go again’.
You’re all doing this as well as looking after families and running businesses, and Tracey you are doing a lot of studying as well as working. How do you maintain a work-life balance?
Donna: It’s hard sometimes, but you just push through. It’s also a great break. I remember when my children were still small, it gave me time for myself for an hour or so each week; it gave me back my fitness, gave me time with these girls and that made everything else better – so it enhances everything else in a way, and you also get the friendship that comes with being part of a team.
Beverly: We’re committed to the boat crew, we love it, love the teamwork. We all also love being out on the water too.
Kerry: It’s the friendship – there’s a rowing fraternity between all boat crews and the fitness gives you energy for everything else. I really like teenagers, I have five children, all individuals and quite different; one of these rows for Warriewood. We too are all individuals, so I think what each person brings is what makes us work so well together.
Tracey: We all wanted to row, we love it. It does make everything else you do better, not just the fitness, but being part of a team.
Rick, what are you telling them to get ready for in France?
Rick: I’m telling them to get ready for the rowing, but they’re actually getting ready for the partying.
Ladies, what are you looking forward to in France?
Donna: Gold medals first we hope.
Kerry and Tracey: and cheese…the food…and presents.
Rick: Once the rowing is over they can do whatever they like; I only dictate the rowing, the partying is up to them.
Tracey: Rowing as best we can and then ….sneak into Spain for some shopping.
Beverly: Well rowing, rowing is number one, and then having fun with these girls; friendship, cheese, wine; spending time with these girls, relaxing with them. They’re great to relax with.
Tracey: Laughing until you cry.
Beverly: Yes, laughing until you cry; we do that a lot.
Tracey: We have a lot of fun together, after the races.
What about Biarritz though – won’t the girls have to stay in condition for then?
Rick: That’s only a week, they only have to stay in condition for a week. Once you stop training you hold condition for three or four weeks. When we went into the Australian Titles they’d trained so hard that the last two weeks is really rest time. The body recovers then, rests up, and they’re ready to go.
How proud of these girls are you Rick?
Rick: You know I’m proud of them, they’ve done exceptionally well. I keep saying to them, ‘if only we were all 30 years younger they’d be Australian Champions on the Open Women’s’.”
Will you take your own boat to France?
No, we’ll borrow a boat over there – we may take our own oars as they have a different kind of rowlock over there. The cost of getting these there is almost as much as the cost of buying new ones over there, so we’ll decide closer to the time to leave.
What’s the best thing about getting involved in a surfboat crew?
Tracey: The friendship.
Donna: The friendship.
Bev: The challenge. You’re out on the water, wind in my hair (laughs). Seriously, it’s good to be fit, good to be out with these girls and Rick. It’s a gorgeous time of the day and even though we all hate getting out of bed, first thing in the morning it’s just absolutely beautiful here.
Kerry: I like working in a team, so any sport that I can do with a group of people is great.
Are you tired?; it’s way past the end of the season and you’re still going.
Beverly; No, it’s part of our life. We’ve still been doing some training.
Kerry: We train everyday in one way or another, whether it’s rowing, gym work, running – there’s something everyday.
Donna: it does get exhausting, working and looking after children. Hopefully our gym will be open in the new clubhouse during the next few weeks and we have a trainer who is going to help us out.
Tracey: we’re running at full strength at present but hopefully, yes, that trainer will help us out to become more so.
Rick: It’s hard, they’re starting two months earlier than normal. Usually we don’t start training really hard until August or September but this year we’ve got to get ready to race at that time. Mentally it’s hard as well; it’s cold, it’s a different kind of toughness they ‘re developing, a mental toughness. They’ve had a few practice sessions for that though – what they did at Coff’s Harbour is a good example of that.
At Coff’s they had 180+ mens and womens and no other women turned up so we said ‘can we row in the mens?’ they said you can, but you can’t have the medals or the money …
Donna: It was big surf too that day – November 2013.
Tracey: they were laughing at us.
Beverly: they were so dismissive of us.
Rick: so the race against the men they line up and the other crews look across at us and they smile away.
Beverly: The first race we came second, second race we came first; we caught this big wave right into the beach.
Tracy: we beat everyone.
Donna: I remember laying on the bow.
Tracy: then we won an Open Women's race straight afterwards.
Rick: They beat them all by a good boat length. Everyone laughed at us because they were rowing against the men, and the beach went berserk when they won; everyone was up and cheering, it was great. Everyone loved seeing the underdogs win.
What is The Antiques motto?
“You’re never too old for Gold!”
The Antiques - Avalon Beach SLSC Women's Masters Boat Crew: (Left to right) Tracey McSullea, Kerry McEwan, Bev Tilbury, Donna Wishart, Rick Millar (sweep)
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- It demonstrates that the Club is in great shape. We are in a good financial position, we are confident of our future, and we are happy to support our members and surf sports teams.
- It demonstrates that the Club and our Boaties have the support of our community, and in particular the support of our amazing sponsors, who we can't thank enough. Success breeds success, and I am not surprised at all to see this team attract strong support.
- It demonstrates that we have great leaders in our surf boat team, such as Rick Millar, Pete Carter, Nathan Wellings, Nick Sampson and Matt Mayall.
- It demonstrates that our team is getting great results, from the Pinkies and the Antiques at the last World Championships, to our representative teams the Avocados and the Bandits this year, and our amazing results across the board in the Branch pointscore with a current top three placing in every division.
- It demonstrates that we have a surf boat team with extraordinary spirit and commitment. It's no wonder that the team has seen fantastic growth over the past couple of years, to a record number of 14 crews this year.
- It demonstrates that our Boaties really are the heart and soul of this Club, and on behalf of the Board of Management, I would like to say how pleased we are to be able to support you, and how proud we are of your achievements and the way that the Boaties have stepped up to really be integral with everything that we do at Avalon Beach. I know that we are the envy of many other Clubs.
- So to every member of our surf boat team, I hope this new boat helps you get the results you deserve. I know that every member of the Club will join me in wishing you all the best for the rest of the season. It is amazing to see so many crews going over to Perth for the Aussies. Whether you win or don't quite get there on the day, I know that each one of you, and the team as a whole, will make us proud.
Two new surfboats for Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club launched and named on Sunday January 29 2023 fittingly honour two people who've played a big role in the Club's surfboats and in the Club's overall history.
A large crowd of current and former club members, Life Members and guests applauded the naming of the boat "Sue Millar", as the perfect choice for one of the new boats, honouring the widow of surf boat legend and Life Member Rick Millar.
The other new boat was named "Brent Walker 93", also a perfect choice, honouring Brent who was part of the Club's first Open Surfboat Rowing Championship Crew (Brent, Darryl Johnson, "Hector" Heathcote, Nathan Press, Rick Millar sweep) who won the Gold Medal in 1993. Brent sadly passed away in early 2018.
Both boats were made possible through the sponsorship of Brown Bros. Skip Bins.
Sue was described by Life Member and past Deputy President Peter Carter not just as "the lady behind the man" but she herself played a large part in the Club's surfboat family. Together with their two young daughters Lara and Skye she would accompany Rick and the team to the many carnivals they would compete in around Australia and overseas (USA, South Africa, France) encouraging every one in the team and in her way acting as "team mother" particualrly to the younger boaties, including Pete.
Sue Millar and family
The Millar family, who some would say was headed by Sue (she wouldn't say so... and neither would Rick!) was an integral part of the Club's boat crews and their successes basically dating from the Gold Medal win in 1993 until Rick's passing in late 2018 A surf boat was named in Rick's honour in 2004 and he won his last Australian Gold Medal with an Under 19 Girls crew in early 2018.. a fantastic achievement.
Past President Ash Cardiff, now the Director of Surf Sports and a boatie, reminded the audience that although surf boats were originally used for rescues, today they are mainly for competition, but they are a great way to attract Club members and encourage young people.
Training as a team and competing against other surf clubs are a great way for young people to build their fitness, personal strength, learn teamwork and skills, self discipline and self respect - skills which are necessary in surf rescues as well as for life - as well as having an extended family and having Fun!
Several of the younger members who spoke at Rick's funeral said he gave them life skills and was a big influence on their lives beyond the surf club.
Boaties do surf patrols and several, including Pete for example, are IRB Drivers or crew abd have senior roles in the Club.
The 1993 surfboat competition success as a result of Rick's driving passion for rowing, with active support from Sue, undoubtedly helped attract more people - male and female - to the Club over the years.
Brent Walker was a popular member of the '93 Gold Medal Crew, Consequently as part of that team he also played an important role in the Club's growth, which went on leading to more competition successes in surf boats in particular.
Brent was a true gentleman, quiet, always willing to help, and was well liked in the Club.
Three of the remaining members of the '93 crew, "Hector" Heathcote - who spoke about Brent - Darryl Johnson and Nathan Press took Brent Walker '93 on its inaugural foray in the surf on Sunday. The fourth crew member for the day, Craig Goozee OAM is a Long Service Club Member and boatie, who also knew Brent well. (A pretty good effort just quietly considering the Gold Medal these boys won was 30 years ago).
The 1993 Australian Open Surfboat Champions
Today...l to r: Hector Heathcote, Darryl Johnson, Nathan Press and Craig Goozee OAM
Sue and Brent's individual recognition are both well deserved.
Sue, Rick and Sue's daughters Lara and Skye, grandchildren, Rick's son Chad and his sister Trush Bailey attended the christening of Sue's boat.
Brent 93 had the champagne poured on it by his wife Monique, and their sons Oscar and Huxley.
Sue Millar christening
Brent Walker 93 christening
off for the Inaugural Row
off for the Inaugural Row
Here's to many medals ahead for their boats!
New Club members are always welcome. If anyone thinks they may be interested in having a go in surfboats or any other surf club activity, join the club to gain their bronze medallion please contact the Club through avalonbeachslsc.com.au
It's a great way to meet new friends and have fun while doing worthwhile community service as a volunteer surf lifesaver.
Report by Roger Sayers OAM
Life Member, Publicity Officer
Photos by Roger Sayers and past-Presidents of ABSLSC Christine Hopton OAM and Richard Cole.
