Bribie To The Rescue
Where it all began ...
from little things, big things grow
Photo - Lifesavers Woorim Beach 1925
courtesy of the John Oxley Library
First Surf Patrol on Bribie Beach - 1923.
In 1923, the Brisbane Tug and Steamship company, through the company secretary Mr N. Farmer, contacted Mr Francis O Venning (Secretary of the Royal Lifesaving Club) to patrol Ocean Beach during the Christmas Holidays. Mr Venning discovered that the company had in its employ, Harold, and Bert Blake, (contractors on the construction of the Bongaree-Woorim toll road), who held Royal Lifesaving Certificates, and were prepared to patrol the beach. The Society delivered a reel in time for the Christmas Holidays for the Blakes to perform our first patrol at Ocean Beach.
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In 1924 some members of the Mowbray Park Lifesaving Club became dissatisfied with the club and approached Mr Venning to form a new Club at a more central location. A meeting was called with an attendance of about 20 members and the Metropolitan Lifesaving Club was formed to be affiliated with Royal Lifesaving Society with headquarters at Ithaca Baths, Paddington to patrol Bribie Island, Coolum, Caloundra, and Dickey Beach.
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In 1927 with the assistance of the Tug Company and Mr Shirley (Bribie Bus Proprietor) the first club hut was built with funds collected from donations from passengers on the boats in transit to Bribie. The amenities were few, domestic water from rainwater tanks, lighting from carbide or kerosene lamps, no sanitary services.
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In 1933 the Metropolitan Surf Lifesaving Club moved to Caloundra, and it was found necessary to form a new entity to continue to patrol the beach at Woorim beach hence Bribie Island Surf Lifesaving Club affiliated with both Royal Lifesaving Society and Surf Lifesaving Australia, came to be named. The club showed strong growth in the years leading up to WWII with 22 members, capped mainly due to the number of bunk beds available for members in the club hut. Some of the highlights from this era were in 1933, formation and first bronze squad totalling six bronze medallions and one instructor. However, in 1942, Bribie Island was closed to the public and the Military requisitioned the Surf Club premises and the greater part of the club’s gear and equipment.
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Season 1955-56 saw a major revival with the Clubhouse extended incorporating a new kitchen and dining room along with expansion of the bunkroom to accommodate 25 seniors, two juniors and several associates. A new wood fuelled stove was added, along with the availability of town water and electricity (luxury).
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Today our club stands proud with renovated club facilities and the addition of a brand-new state of the art patrol tower. Our strong membership from nippers to old boys and very dedicated committee members continue to help drive the Club forward while keeping Woorim Beach a safe place to play.
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