In 1966 a group of Old Boys, headed by Elton Williamson and Bill Zillman, decided to form a Nipper Club at Bribie Island. From the beginning, the Nipper Club was a family affair. At training, many parents joined in, marking out the arena on Sunday morning, running the events, swimming around buoys with the children who lacked confidence, and of course, fund raising. The main fundraising activity was raffles at the Blue Pacific Hotel which banded the parents into a close group who formed lasting friendships. Thornley’s Bus Service played an important role as they were the means of transport to carnivals. That old bus would hold a treasure trove of memories of amusing incidents. It often ground to a halt halfway up the hill to Mooloolaba where the driver would yell “Everybody Out” and all incoming traffic to Mooloolaba would wait for the Bribie Nippers as they debussed and scampered across the road to walk the rest of the way to the carnival. Our first gold medal at State Level was won by Phillip Green for the 9 years’ beach sprints and Richard Zillman represented Queensland in every age group. Bribie Club placed second for two consecutive years in the early 1970’s in the State Club Championships, three state age surf champions, placed 2nd in intermediate and junior surf teams announcing us as the strongest swimming club in the State.

 

Families who played a prominent role were the Williamson, Zillman, Box, Bryant, Hampson, Nicholson, Thomsen, Steve Fox and Mark Heggie, with most continuing on in our Surf Club for many years, with some still actively involved in the Surf Life Saving movement today. Today the Nipper membership is around 150 plus members and is still heavily reliant on parent involvement and club members to assist in surf awareness, skill development, coaching, training, and competition which in turn still forms lasting friendships for Nippers and parents alike.

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