Bilgola Surf Life Saving Club
Founded: 1949
Affiliated: 30.09.1950
First Clubhouse Built:
How started:
How was the Club Formed: As a result of several drowning deaths, a group of locals decided to form a club to stem this flow of tragedies.
Formation Date: First Annual Report season 1949/50 ending 30 June 1950.
Affiliation Date: Constitution, Rules and By-Laws drawn up and Club officially recognised and affiliated with Surf Life Saving Australia 1949/50.
Gear and Surfboat: Gear was originally kept in the garage of the Oag family who had a house on the beach in Allen Avenue and 2 sons as members. The first surfboat was a gift by Avalon Beach SLSC but needed work and 50 pounds spent on repairs and replacement of oars.
Patrols Commenced: Officially soon after January/February 1950 season when the first Bronze Medallion squads were successful.
First Bronze Medallion – Squad – Date: 14 members in several squads in January/February 1950 were all successful with training provided by K. Webster from the Whale Beach SLSC, Stan Butler from Avalon Beach SLSC and Laurie Payne from Newport SLSC (also District SLSA supervisor).
First Clubhouse Built: Hon. Architect C.C.Rumald provided detailed plans and specs. Jim Robson Scott used a bulldozer from his firm to level the site. Late in 1950, 2 builders Syd Fischer and David Lyall began the build of the bottom floor – a hall, boatshed and toilet facilities. Midge Gonsalves from Palm Beach SLSC was responsible for the stonework.
Subsequent Clubhouses: The top floor was later let out as a contract. A major addition was an almost complete rebuild in 2003.
Junior Activities/Nippers Formation Date: Begun in 1988 with 55 local children. Nippers presently number around 400.
Club Historian: Life Member David Lyall provided much of the info plus the website. Geoff Searl compiled the information (Club historian of ABSLSC)
Has a History Book been written? Not to my knowledge (70 years Anniversary in 2019)
