History of Avoca Beach Surf Lifesaving Club - August 2026

The first 50 years of the Club’s history were recorded by Edwin Poole in his book The Why and Later. There are still a small number of copies of this valuable record available.

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With our 100th anniversary approaching in 2029, Mark Walters and Bill Mitchell began work on the Club’s centenary history book in 2022. Following Billy’s passing in 2025, Mark was motivated to involve other Club members to help with this enormous project. Those assisting include Andy Hoban, Mike Tamblyn, Wendy Norman, Jim McAtamney, Garry Clarke, Zahn Conrick and Mia Jamal.

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At this stage, I am recording our history through interviews with current and former members. This work will continue, particularly with younger members, to capture their stories and experiences and ensure that all aspects of our Club’s history are preserved. Garry Clarke is assisting with the technology and recording process.

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We are also asking members and the wider Avoca Beach community to contribute any photographs, documents, stories or other material they believe may be relevant to our history. These contributions will be carefully filed and considered for inclusion in the Centenary Yearbook. Please send your material to the designated Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club email address, where Elle Mitchell will organise it for the yearbook.

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Alongside the historical project, a number of members are working on the celebrations for our 100th anniversary. A competition is also being organised to find a suitable centenary logo that can be used on letterhead, apparel and other Club materials.

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The members currently involved in planning the centenary celebrations are Andy Hoban, John Mitchell, Garry Clarke and Jim McAtamney, with Jim chairing the committee.

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We would also like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the late Ted Poole and Kerry Worrel for their significant contribution to preserving the Club’s history. Their work on the pictorial decade boards in the Club rooms, covering the Club’s history through to the 1950s, has provided a wonderful visual record for generations of members.

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I have continued this work, completing the pictorial history through to 2010 and am currently working on the period through to 2020.

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As we look towards our 100th anniversary in 2029, let us continue building on the remarkable history, achievements and traditions of the Avoca Beach Surf Life Saving Club. By preserving the stories and memories of those who came before us, we can ensure that our history remains an important part of our future.

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John Mitchell - Club Historian