the mollymook mag · “the mollymook mag”…may/june 2014….”revitalisation..going...
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1 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
1934-35… 79… 2013-14
YEARS OF
VIGILANCE AND SERVICE 2013-2014…”Revitalisation…Going Forward!”
The Mollymook Mag Published by the : MOLLYMOOK SURF LIFESAVING CLUB (Incorporated 1989)
VOLUME NO: 30 - ISSUE NO: 5 May/June. 2014.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE… READ ABOUT… Ando’s Amazing
Search for the “HOLY GRAIL”.
Feel for Ando as he loses the trail of the “Grail”..
Rejoice with him when ten years later he miraculously gets back on the
trail of the “grail”… and battles the uncertainty of the jungles of e-Bay!!
Share with him the jubilation as the “HOLY GRAIL” comes to
MOLLYMOOK !! Congratulate Ando on his ‘never-say-die’ approach to his
steadfast pursuit of the “HOLY GRAIL!!”
2 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
The President Reports… Members, already we are well into the ‘off-season’ and I hope you are
recovering from the rigours of our last season, which was long and tiring. As well we had the hosting,
in mid-January of the NSW Country titles which took more of your time and energy. Your current
board has worked tirelessly as well, organising submissions, attending meetings of the Branch, fund-
raising and pursuing grants for our club to maintain our viability.
It will soon be time for our Annual General meeting, always an important day and on behalf of your
Management Committee I ask that everybody associated with the club makes the effort to come along
and attend. I know that the 40 or so ‘committed’ members who attend each season will be there, but I
implore all others to make the effort. This includes new members and all our youth members. Let’s
see if we can set a record for attendance. The more who come along the better the chance that we can
fill all the positions up for re-election. For new members it is also a good chance to meet some of the
older faces. Two important positions, among others, will require filling. The first is the Director of
Finance where our long-standing Director Jim Bryant will not be standing after 15 seasons. Jim has
been responsible for managing our finances from almost a nil balance to the much healthier position
we have today. The roles of Sponsorship Officers also are vacant and need to be filled as well.
When you read further into this mag you will come upon the regular feature…”If our bronze medallion
could talk…” and I would like to add my ‘two-bob’s worth. Members, we reached some time ago, a
crisis in our fund-raising through raffles. At both Friday night venues the raffles are conducted by the
same few people who have been at it for many years (in some cases decades). As I have repeatedly
said, they are all worn-out and unless we can get some new blood involved in helping out, then our
raffles will fold and a valuable source of income will be gone. If we can get members to commit to a
roster to help out once a month or once every two months it would be a great help. Please give it
some thought and let me know at the AGM if you will help.
To conclude, we ended the 2013-14 season on a high with almost a clean sweep of the major awards at
the Annual South Coast Branch Presentation Night. What a great way to end the season with all the
hard work you all put in being so richly rewarded. Now on to the AGM and an even better season.
2014-15. See you at the beach, Rod Austin.
Editorial.. What a way to head off towards a new season. It was a thrill to sit at the Branch
Presentation night at a table that became progressively cluttered with all the plaques and prizes that
came your club’s way. All members can take a bow. It was also amazing to see once again the gear
and equipment that each branch club received. The Deputy President of Surf Lifesaving NSW,
commented that in all the club Presentation Nights she had attended over recent years, she had never
seen the amount of gear that was being handed out to our nine clubs. This is due to the generous
sponsorship from Veolia Mulwaree Trust and Bluescope steel. Along with our prizes all the gear
would only just fit on the bus for the journey home to Mollymook.
As the President said it was a great way to end the season. I might add that it was also a great way to
start the next season, 2014-15 which will be our 80th birthday. We will have more to say about this
milestone at a later date.
Like the President, the ‘Mag’ also asks all members to come along to the AGM and support your club.
We have a great club and with everyone’s support it can even reach greater heights. So see you there,
first Sunday in August..
The Editor.. *****************************************************************************************************************
3 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
"You never know when you will be the one on the spot!"
Once again in this regular segment we feature situations where our club members (and
others) find themselves in real-life dramas, trying to save the lives of people in dire need of resuscitation. This case happened earlier this year and was reported by Richard Noone in the Daily Telegraph of 22nd March.
As the colour drained from Billy Sawyers’ face and the teen’s heart stopped beating, teacher Czes
Lawicki knew things had suddenly turned “very serious”. But what happened next and his quick
action--- aggressively swinging into resuscitation saved the boy’s life.
Despite being just 15, Billy had fallen victim to a heart attack--- a condition which some experts
believe could be underestimated in young people. Billy said that he felt “a bit dizzy” after placing
fourth in the 100 metres at his school athletics carnival on Wednesday but went on to compete in the
long jump “without any problems”.
“I remember lining up for the 200 metres and I have a vague image in my head of running, but that’s
all I remember… then I woke up in hospital”, Billy said. He ran but as he crossed the line Billy
collapsed face-first on the ground in front of shocked students and onlookers.
Mr. Lawicki, the Year 10 PE teacher at St.Peter’s Catholic College Tuggerah Lakes, ran to help and
found Billy convulsing on the ground. But the situation turned “very serious” when Billy stopped
breathing, the colour drained from his face and Mr. Lawicki--- a first aid and resuscitation trainer
with years of experience--- could not find a pulse.
“I launched into CPR aggressively, that’s the way we teach it, you’re better off doing something than
nothing,” he said. Mr.Lawicki managed to get Billy’s heart started again breathing and he was flown
to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Billy has undergone a series of tests, but doctors have said it
appeared Billy did not have a heart attack in the conventional sense--- it was more an interference
with the “electrical conduction of the heart.”
“The good thing is his teacher Mr.Lawicki could do CPR,” Dr. Chua said yesterday.
International studies estimated the risk of cardiac arrest in young people at about one in 100,000.
Professor Perkovic said heart attacks were often the cause of sudden and unexpected deaths in young
people but said that they often went undiagnosed with the cause of death incorrectly attributed to a
head injury or another coinciding condition.
[Once again this story shows that you never know when you will be placed “on the spot” and congratulations to
Czes Lawicki for his efforts. It also shows how important it is to follow the protocol of DRSABCD when faced
with an unconscious person.
But what often happens when people are “put on the spot?” In the following article Lissa Christopher explains....
Bystanders often feel helpless when they see somebody collapse or get injured, but knowing just a little about the
basics could transform the chances of survival.
The young marathon runner was still, lying face down and showing no signs of life when Penelope Little arrived.
“As soon as I rolled him over it was obvious…he wasn’t breathing and…I could tell pretty quickly he needed
CPR,” the NSW Ambulance spokeswoman and St.John Ambulance volunteer says. There were lots of people
around, but no one had tried to turn him over, let alone start CPR. They’d called for help and left it at that.
4 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
“At a bare minimum they should have rolled him onto his side, into the recovery position,” she says. “You
should never leave someone lying face down. But this man required CPR and the fact that nobody gave it to him
– it was alarming. It was like, ‘come on, people!’ This man is obviously unwell.”
It’s common for bystanders to do nothing when someone has collapsed and wait for “someone in a uniform” to
turn up. Studies from the USA have shown that the primary reason bystanders don’t attempt CPR is fear of not
doing it correctly but, as Harvard Medical School states in its public health guides, “Poor CPR is better than no
CPR.
RESCUE…..RESCUE…..RESCUE…..This issue we feature a rescue from the past
which involved a great member of Bondi SBSLSC. It happened just on dark one evening at Easter
1921 when Stan McDonald came out of the Bondi club and was told by the then Town Clerk of the
City Council, Mr.Nesbitt, that he could see something that looked like a head bobbing up and down
in the water well out in the bay towards the north end of the beach.
Stan ran along the beach, peeled off his clothes and hopped into the surf without a line. He found a
fully dressed unconscious man a long distance out. He managed to then tow him out of the “drag”
(rip) and into the shore. The man was taken to hospital.
One of the group of onlookers who had gathered on the beach said they could see another head
bobbing up a long distance out. As Stan was about to dive into the surf in the gathering dusk, a
fisherman yelled out a warning that he had just seen a shark cruising in the vicinity. Stan disregarded
the warning and swam out to investigate. He searched for half an hour without finding anyone.
Those on the beach praised his valour in the first gruelling swim, closely followed by the search
undaunted by the shark warning. For this effort Stan was awarded the Silver Medal and Certificate
from the Royal Shipwreck and Humane Society.
In November of the same year another grand performance by Stan McDonald took place when a man
was washed off the rocks at the boot,(a very popular fishing spot). When Stan and some other Bondi
members ran around from the beach, they found huge seas breaking on the rocks.
Stan plunged into the boiling surf and managed to reach the fully dressed, unconscious man, floating
just below the surface. Realising he could never land on the rocks, Stan signalled that he intended to
tow the man round to the (Bondi) baths. Those who know the huge task Stan had set himself can
appreciate the courage he showed.
In the meantime a reel had been brought around from the beach to the baths and Ted Tattam got out
with the belt and line. He took over the patient from Stan, but soon afterwards his line fouled and
was no further use. Stan then took over the patient again and towed him all the way to the beach.
The ambulance took the unconscious man to hospital and he recovered.
For this great effort Stan received a bar to his Silver Medal and a further Certificate.
This story from the proud history of Bondi SBSLSC is dedicated to past Mollymook and Bondi member Stacey
Siegert, a committed surf lifesaver, who provided another strong bond between our two clubs. Our history from
1934-35 until the present time has many instances of this bond with both Bondi and North Bondi, and this was
shown by the presence of many members of all three clubs who attended the recent funeral of Stacey held at
Mollymook.
5 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
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In the last issue of our ‘Mag’ interest was generated with the article about the ocean’s surface
micro-layer and the use of the thermocline by whales to send messages over long distances. Since
then some members have asked where the large amounts of pumice washed up on our beaches
towards the end of the season came from. Well, last year, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
Authority explained the origins of the 20,000 square kilometre pumice raft that had started washing
up on our beaches. Apparently it has come from a volcanic eruption in New Zealand and has
travelled 4000 kilometres to Queensland. Meantime the, the East Australian Current has caused the
pumice to spread down the coast , and is still prevalent around the high tide mark around our
beaches and harbour. (This information came from the Syd.Morn.Herald of 24/5/14). It was a treat for
podiatrists like Keith Purvis and people with a few lumps and rough patches on their feet.
Another question was asked about the age of our beaches and how did the sand get there in the first
place. The answer is that the age of NSW’s beach sand can be dated by various means and these
show that uniformly, up and down our coast it’s 6500 years old. When the remaining polar ice (from
the last great ice age) stabilised and the sea level finally stopped rising 6500 years ago, the beaches
we now love and crowd onto on summer days finally formed.
So there we have the answers to these two recent questions. Let us know if you have other ones and
the ‘Mag’ will do its best to find an explanation.
If our Bronze Medallion could talk it would tell the story
of the role that ‘Raffles’ have played in the financial
viability of all surf lifesaving clubs. Although raffles have
gone out of favour as a source of income for most clubs,
(for many reasons,) we have relied upon them to keep us
financial. Thirty years ago at Mollymook inflation had
caught up, and the costs involved in running our club
were escalating. The golf club had already given
permission to hold raffles there, and now the Ex-Servo’s
and Milton-Ulladulla Bowling clubs were also willing. The
three clubs along with the Marlin Hotel were ‘hit’
regularly on a Friday night, whilst the Commercial Hotel in
Milton continued to support the Saturday morning surf
club raffle. So each weekend in the 1983-84 season
members were selling tickets in five places.
Unfortunately, members were soon sick of ‘saddling-up’
to help out so consistently and it was then left up to the
“few”. This has always been the problem with “Raffles”.
As a result, all that now remain are the Golf Club and the
Ex-Servo’s with the dedicated “few” still ‘saddling-up’!!!!
“Are you one of the “few?”
What did raffles raise in 1983-84????
CommercialHotel…$2203.27.
MollymookGolfClub…$3887.68.
TheExservo’sClub…$555.14 (only two months).
Milton-Ulladulla Bowling Club…$1710.31.
MarlinHotel…$2985.48.
Total almost $10,000.
And just a reminder that our beach sand is a finite and valuable resource which we should
conserve. So next time you have a surf make sure you get rid of the sand inside your costume as
you leave the surf. Don’t leave it on the floor of the showers which contaminates it and then clogs
up the drains!!
6 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
***** Off to the World’s Masters Swimming… our super mermaid Kaye Beer is again off to compete
at the World’s Master Swimming titles. These are being held in Montreal, Canada later this year and
Kaye is in serious training with gym work interspersed with long sessions in the pool. Kaye already
has an enviable record of success at this level and we wish her ‘all the best’.
*****************************************
***** Trevor also in serious training… Good to see Trevor Barnes back in the gym doing the hard
work as he endeavours to regain his fitness and strength after his recent bout of illness. To help him
on his routine Trevor brings his own CD featuring his favourite performer…you guessed it Jimmy
Barnes.
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***** Serious training also on the agenda for IRB and RWC candidates… some weeks ago our
coastline experienced a number of days of ‘epic’ surf as a result of ground swells generated out in
the Tasman Sea. The big swell coincided with the first day of water training for the club’s latest
group of IRB drivers and crewpersons and the RWC operators. It was a baptism of fire for them all as
they learnt first-hand how to negotiate these waves. Apart from roll-overs and some minor aches
they all performed (bravely) well. After the swell went down the next few Sundays were much more
benign, but then turned cold and wet and miserable for the next session. However they all should be
congratulated for the efforts they are putting in.
*******************************************
***** Training continues also for the Gallipolli marathon… good to report that the two crews in
training for the Gallipolli Anzac Day marathon next year are hard at it. With only ten months to go
support for the team is coming along well.
*****************************************
***** Surveillance cameras in operation… Thanks to the ongoing work by Dave Lamaks and Jim
Bryant and help also from Les O’S and BOS, the high tech, high vigilance, security camera system is
now up-and-running. Eleven cameras are now in operation 24/7 and along with the new key system
should offer our clubhouse better protection.
Members may have noticed also that work is progressing at the rear of the club to shift our large gas
bottle and the electrical power board from their present positions in the gym alleyway. They will be
in a safer spot than at present. Thanks again to Geoff Starkey who achieved the re-positioning after
much to-and-fro—ing between Council, the electricity provider and Geoff.
*****************************************
***** Further work being done… A few minor problems relating to the renovations have surfaced
and are now in the process of being fixed. These problems mainly concerned the new dance floor
and the cool room. Geoff has again been on hand to advise on these problems. Also in the near
future the old refrigerator is being removed from the upstairs club room and an upright frig put in its
place. This will be a major logistical job and will probably require a working bee to get it done.
NEWS FROM NEAR & FAR, FROM HERE & THERE….
7 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
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***** Rhino ‘changeover’… At present Investigation by Les O’Sullivan into the purchase of a new
beach vehicle, trading in the ones we currently have are ongoing at the present time.
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***** Apologies to Tracy Holt… The Ed; forgot to mention in the last issue of the ‘mag’ that the four
photos used on the cover page, of the last examination day for BM’s and SRC’s back in April were
taken by Tracy Holt and she kindly consented for us to use them. Thanks Tracy.
******************************************
***** Prince Harry says “thank you”… this mention is also a ’little belated’. On his visit to Australia
Annabel Wickens-Campbell was lucky enough to get close to Prince Harry , shake his hand and give
him some small gifts, one of which included a Mollymook SLSC t-shirt. Annabel has since received a
letter of thanks from the Prince, a copy of which has been passed on to our club. Thanks to the
Wickens-Campbell family. To complete a double the same thing happened on the recent visit of
Prince William and Princess Kate when the family were again able to present the royal couple with
some gifts’ The gifts included Mollymook SLSC t-shirts and caps. Again a letter of thanks has been
received and will be on display in the clubhouse.
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Glimpses from the past… 30 years ago in 1983-84 things were different. The latest treatment for
bluebottles was to liberally apply copious amounts of vinegar to the affected parts. In her report for
the AGM the then first-aid officer Cathy Marshall reported that the club had run out of vinegar due
to an epidemic of bluebottles. However a ‘keen’ follower had come to the rescue of the club and
kindly donated two bottles of vinegar for use in the first-aid room.
The above is a small item from that season and it is interesting to return to season 1983-84, as
described in our history. The season was termed a season of “Rest & Recuperation & Females.”
The Annual Report from 1983-84 reported that, “After the hard work and heavy pressure of the
previous season (conducting the NSW Titles); a number of office-bearers stood down at the AGM
and except for the President, a new Committee was elected. Charlie Austin returned to the position
of Secretary after a rest of 28 seasons. Noel Turnbull took on Treasurer after a rest of 6 seasons and
set some sort of a record, having served in four of the five major club executive positions. Rod Austin
was elected Club Captain and Al Hoskins Chief Instructor. As well, (Active) Membership hovered
around the 100 mark, although concern was being felt that the club was ‘top-heavy’ with older
members. However one change which had taken place at the AGM offered some hope into the
future. Women had finally been admitted to the Mollymook SLSC was active patrol members.
Leanne Sak, Cathy Marshall, Rhonda Kennedy, Karen Tetley and Joanne Kendall made history as the
club’s first active female members when they successfully completed their bronze medallions
( under the instruction of Geoff Starkey), and successfully handled the rigours of their first season of
patrols.
AND we might ponder the question…”Where would surf life saving be today if women had not
be accepted into the ranks of active membership ????
8 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
Instruction-wise it was a record-equalling season. 28 bronze medallions were gained and a further
17 youngsters gained their qualifying certificates. A further 30 young ladies from the Milton
Technical College were instructed in the Resuscitation Certiificate.”
Back then also one of the important ‘jobs’ of the gear steward was to make sure that the axle of the reel was kept well-oiled. This specialist job was only ever entrusted to lifesavers with the necessary skills and qualifications.
On 13th November 1950 the Sydney Morning Herald reported that two men, ‘new Australians’, had been ordered off crowded beaches for wearing only vees (very brief swimming costumes). A Bondi surf club official complained of the way the men kicked, pushed and struggled with lifesavers, and expressed his irritation over their ignorance of both safety rules and acceptable dress.
10 Good reasons to row your boat…
1.Rowing exercises all of your major muscle groups- legs, arms, back, abdomen
Surf club members who
worked as mechanics in
‘real’ life were highly-
sought after for their
ability to use the highly
sophisticated oil cans.
One of the reasons for
the demise of reels as
lifesaving equipment
was the lack of
mechanics able to
service them. It was
rare to leave the ‘job’
up to the Beach
Inspector as very few
had the necessary
‘oiling’ skills.
There are no
worries here about
the acceptable
dress as our latest
jet ski training
squad contemplate
another training
session.
They did ask the
question though…..
”What are the rest
of you wusses
doing on this
freezing cold
winter’s morning?
Still in your warm
beds we
suppose…!!”
Dylan,Loske, Scott and Adam .. well done fellows.
9 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
NSW COUNTRY TITLES….Last January we hosted these very successful titles
and part of the reasons for success was the support given by our competitors. It was
the best turn-out we have had for many seasons and most competitors enjoyed not
only success with many medals being won, but also just the joy of competition at this
higher level. WELL…. Just a reminder that it is now only seven (yes—7) months
until the 2015 NSW Country Titles, so some early, off-season training and
conditioning should be contemplated if you are considering competing.
And another reminder that if you are not busy our Training team has a number of
New Courses for the ‘off-season’. The calendar is as follows….
ARTC -- over two nights Monday 30th June 6.30/Tuesday 1st July 6.30pm.
SPINAL MANAGEMENT -- 1 night Tuesday 8th July 6.30pm.
APPLY FIRST AID -- 2 nights Monday 8th September/Tuesday 9th September
6.30pm.
SILVER MEDALLION AQUATIC RESCUE -- Saturday/Sunday 13 & 14 th Sept.
BASIC BEACH MANAGEMENT --No dates yet, but expressions of interest please.
TRAINING OFFICERS -- Expressions of interest please to join the training team.
BRONZE/SRC -- Introduction DAY AT THE “Brekky on the Beach” 12th October.
Limited places apply to these.
IRB Drivers/Crewperson courses will be notified.
JUNIOR AGE MANAGER’S COURSE -- The ON-LINE component can be done
NOW! Expressions of interest please.
****** Danielle and Blake wed…at a beautiful ceremony on Mollymook beach Danielle Moore and
Blake McKenzie were married. For some reason this was not included in the last issue of our ‘mag’ so
it is belated best wishes to these two popular members of our surf club for along and happy marriage.
*************************************************************
****** Congratulations also to Sarah Mudge… who was selected to attend the 4 day ‘Youth
Opportunity Makers camp, organised by SLSNSW during April. The program was to provide a
unique opportunity for young surf lifesavers to see what our organisation has to offer. Sarah was able
to learn important team work skills which she will be able to use back in our club.
**************************************************************
In the next issue of our ‘mag’ a full run-down of the AGM will be covered. Also a full report from our
Gallipoli contingent and how their plans are progressing. The ‘mag’ will also be looking at the role
younger members of our club have played in Leadership Roles at Ulladulla High School since its inception
10 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
THE “HOLY GRAIL” IS OURS !! … Contributed by Ando Austin.
Regarding the array of rare and significant Major Bond artefacts that now belong to the Mollymook
SLSC, I’d like to refresh your memory pertaining to a particular piece of surf life saving history that
“got away from us.
The period was in March 2006 when I entered a shop in Hazelbrook (Blue Mountains) called the
“Town & Country Antiques”. I spoke to the owner and enquired about any surf lifesaving pieces. He
said, “Sorry mate, there’s not much up here in the mountains, but I did have one of the best surf club
trophies here a while ago! But don’t ask—that was about two years ago.”
I said, “Is that right? What was it?” He then replies, “I can’t really remember what it was, whether it
was a trophy or a dish, or something like that. A bloke kept on coming in here and saying that it was
good, real good, but when I was prepared to drop the price a bit, then he might consider getting it
then….. so I did and he bought it. The piece was from a bloke by the name of Bond and he apparently
had something to do with life saving or the Bondi Club or something like that.”
Being in a dark place from just being told this, I considered that if an ad was placed in the Sydney
newspapers, then I might be able to at least uncover the buyer’s name and confirm the story. At the
very least perhaps we could get a look at the item and secure some knowledge as to what it
was….BUT I never did place that ad.
Progress in time to May 2014. I logged on to e-bay Australia and typed in those three words which I
do from 6-12 times every day…”surf life saving”. I scrolled down halfway on the first page of three,
and then stopped cold….!!!!
There for sale at a “Buy IT Now” price of $...... was the Holy Grail!! The User ID of the seller from
Long Jetty is a friend of mine! I have his business card in my wallet, so I phone him. It turns out that
the person who bought the item back then 2004 is a friend (who lives at Avoca) of my friend!
He had bought it because he solely collects sporting memorabilia, but is now in the process of
downsizing! Given that the piece had only been downloaded onto e-Bay for sale not an hour before
I found it there was always that strong possibility of it selling straight up, and I never would have
known that it came up for sale. We stood a real chance of missing the piece again!!
But with many thanks to our intrepid Treasurer, he granted us permission to buy the piece! We
now have it, and it complements the Major John Bond Service Set which is on display in our foyer.
But what is this piece? What is this “Holy Grail”? It’s a……… CHEESE DISH.
11 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
The two piece artefact is comprised of the cheese platter and the handled cover, and engraved on
the front face is……
Presented to
Warrant Officer Bond, AAMC
From the
Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club
As a token of esteem and goodwill.Season 1907-8.
The inaugural meeting of the foundation clubs was on the 18th October, 1907 so our piece derives
from the very first season of surf life saving!!
The hallmark on the bottom of the platter further reveals some astounding fact about our item. The
hallmark or silver plate mark, is clearly EPBM. This stands for ‘Electro Plated Brittania Metal’.
However, stamped in front of that into a shield are the letters “H.W.Ltd” and this indicates that the
manufacturer of our cheese dish was Henry Wilkinson & Co Ltd, so that puts a date on the item from
1872-1892!!
It can safely be assumed that given the surf life saving organisation had only recently been formed
at that time (and funds would have been low); in presenting this old Sheffield Plate piece to Major
John Bond, he was not given a more expensive or valuable dish than this. Britannia metal or
Britannium was generally used as a cheaper alternative to electro-plated nickel EPNS which is more
durable. Regardless of this, our cheese dish stands out as possibly one of the most significant
artefacts dating from the very birth of our organisation! It shows minor signs of wear, so it seems
likely that the Major and his family actually used the dish for its intended purpose—to keep his
cheese fresh and clear of Sydney’s Bondi (or was it Bronte) flies and the like!!!!!
For members who may be unaware, previous to this
Ando on a visit to Katoomba had been able to
purchase a silver tray and tea set which belonged to
the Bond Family. When investigations revealed the link
between these items and Major Bond of surf
lifesaving, Ando then set out to find the ‘cheese dish’.
He has now completed the full set. Our club has also
been given the Bond Family Bible as well as various
items from his military career, such as badges, items of
medical equipment, and a photo and regime’ of Major
Bond’s life and career. The latter from Bronte SLSC.
We as custodians of this collection must cherish and
look after it. (and thanks to Ando for his efforts!)
Hopefully these items will be on display permanently in our renovated hall. Ando may also be able to
arrange a display of the items for members to peruse at the Annual General Meeting. This gives you all
another reason to attend this important meeting….see you there !!
12 “The Mollymook Mag”…May/June 2014….”Revitalisation..Going Forward.”
THE LAST PAGE… as mentioned elsewhere in the ‘Mag’ the South Coast Branch
Presentation Night saw our club triumph. The following awards where gained….
Dave Munday & Ben Barry… Rescue of the month for their resuscitation efforts recorded
previously in the ‘mag’.
Di Austin…Administrator of the Year. Ando Austin…Special Commendation for Training.
Mollymook SLSC..South Coast Branch Club of the Year.
Mollymook SLSC.. Event of the Year..The NSW Country Titles.
Mollymook SLSC.. Patrol Efficiency Award.
Adam Woodward.. Branch Lifesaver of the Year.
Les O’Sullivan.. Special Commendation for Branch Gear Inspection.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL CONCERNED..
Once again in finishing up it is sad that we have to pay tribute to three of our fellow surf lifesavers
who passed on over the past two months.
Vale.. to Stacey Siegert who gained her bronze N 71513 on 18/12/94, and ARC at Mollymook, before
leaving the area and joining North Bondi and then Bondi clubs. Stacey was a vice-captain for four
seasons and served one season as a Captain, a member of the ladies Boat Crew both here and at both
Bondi clubs, and helped out each year at our Annual Door Knock. She was loved by all and the large
crowd in attendance at her funeral here at Mollymook was testimony to this love. To her parents
Lynden and Christine, partner Cameron and his parents Rod and Lyn, we offer our condolences.
Vale.. to Arthur Bunt BEM who passed away 1st June, not long after his great mate Charlie Austin.
Arthur gained his Bronze as a member of Black Head SLSC in 1935 and joined Mollymook just after
the end of World War II. He was Club Captain 1948/1949 and Treasurer in 1948/1949 and 1949/1950
and helped guide the club through the rebuilding phase after the war. He was also a great instructor
and was sorely missed when he shifted to Moruya and joined the club there. Arthur continued in surf
lifesaving for the rest of his life gaining 50 years long service and Life Membership of NSW SLS. In
1968 he gained the British Empire Medal for bravery when he rescued a badly-burned mate from a
bushfire. To his wife Myril and family we also offer our condolences.
Vale.. to Philip Horne who passed away on 9th June. Phil, an English migrant, joined Mollymook in
1963 and gained his Bronze medallion, although he had to be taught to swim and get used to the
Australian surf conditions. But he persevered and was successful. He did his patrols on a regular
basis until pressure of his business forced him to give patrol work up. However he retained an
interest in the club, helping out in the early days of radio communication, setting up our local
network and repairing CB handsets. He also supported the art unions and raffles and just before he
passed away he made a donation of $100 to the Gallipoli surf boat appeal. Phil always retained his
love of England and delighted in being called a “pommie bastard”. To his siblings Colin, Wendy and
especially Angela who looked after Phil over the past months, we offer our condolences.
Just a final reminder to each and every member..Our AGM needs your presence…come along please!!!!