Port Noarlunga Surf Life Saving Club

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A BRIEF HISTORY – 75 YEARS OF SERVICE

Port Noarlunga Beach in South Australia is situated on the beautiful
Fleurieu Peninsular, south of Adelaide. The ivory sands of its small
crescent bay are protected by a reef, which is connected to the shore by
way of a jetty. It is very popular with skin divers and family groups
alike.

When Surf Life Saving began in Sydney in 1907 Port Noarlunga was just
becoming a popular summer holiday destination with guesthouses popping up
all over the place. Due to its close proximity to Adelaide and a train
service nearby for easy transport its popularity increased over the years.

In the 1920’s local resident Dr E.H. Davies was so concerned about
the dangers of the sea at Port Noarlunga he started a small group of
lifesavers. This group only operated for a short time before the
depression hit and it was disbanded.

January 1933 began a new year, which will be forever marked with tragedy
for the small seaside town of Port Noarlunga. During that month the town
was rocked with 5 tragic drownings. In February 1933 a public meeting was
held to form a lifesaving club at Port Noarlunga and it was from this
small beginning we grew. We were affiliated with the Royal Life Saving
Society. When World War II called for soldiers to fight for Australia, all
our active members enlisted, leaving the beach unprotected. The local
community rallied and kept the club going with the help of the younger
lads and young girls who took on the task. The club was being operated by
a group of teenagers most of this time under the guidance of a couple of
older gentlemen. They patrolled and competed at carnivals and over the
years put the Port Noarlunga name on the scoreboard, especially in
Marchpast and R&R.

In 1953 we joined Surf Life Saving South Australia, which had been formed
the year before.   At the time we joined Surf Life Saving we had little
money, a few basic pieces of gear that had seen better days and no proper
clubrooms. The members immediately set about raising money to improve the
situation. Within ten years we had new clubrooms, and a fine group of
competitors who were soon to show the other teams in the state that Port
Noarlunga was a force to challenge.

Through the years we have had a number of fantastic competitors who have
put the Port Noarlunga name on the board at State, National and
International Level. When women were accepted into Surf Life Saving we
embraced it and now fifty percent of our members are female.   With the
introduction of Inflatable Rescue Boat competition Port Noarlunga became a
force to be reckoned with for a number of years winning the State Titles
for six years in a row. Compared to many clubs our membership is small but
we encourage family involvement and have had Nippers competing in the club
since 1967. Today this small merry band enjoy the companionship of their
friends and along with the Senior competitors, strive to make sure the
maroon and gold colours are seen at each carnival.

Like all clubs we have endured our ups and downs but have weathered
through to go forward to another day. Our foundation came about because of
a desperate need to protect the bathing public on Port Noarlunga beach and
to this day we do voluntary patrols each weekend over summer.   We are a
small club with a very proud history of 75 years of continuous service to
the Port Noarlunga community.

V & T Motors Pty Ltd

90 O'Sullivans Beach Road, Lonsdale 5160.
83828111

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