Our clubs and members are cornerstones of their communities, and acknowledging major milestones allows us an opportunity to highlight the important role surf clubs play in coastal safety.
Below, we break down key milestones from the 2025/26 season and celebrate many decades and, in some cases, a century of service to the community.
Avalon Beach SLSC – 100 years
100 years of Avalon Beach Surf Life Saving Club was celebrated during the 2025/26 season – the centennial year a chance to reflect on the purpose-driven service the club has provided to its community.
Established in 1925 by A.J. Small, frequently referred to as the “Father of Avalon Beach,” the Avalon Beach SLSC sprang from the increasing popularity of ocean bathing. Active surf patrols on the beach began on 31 January 1926 when the first Bronze Medallion squad, comprising Geoff Small and others, passed their exam.
Initially, the club operated without a dedicated clubhouse, with equipment stored in a basic shed. By 1929, only a deteriorating rescue reel remained on the beach. The local community intervened, and a small storage shed was built, with locals ensuring its upkeep.
Most notably, in the 1960s, Avalon Beach SLSC member Warren Mitchell revolutionised surf rescue with the introduction of the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB).
After experimenting with inflatable craft and motors, Mr Warren successfully demonstrated the IRB’s capabilities in 1969, despite initial scepticism. Today, the IRB is a global standard in surf rescue operations.
A gala dinner in October marked the occasion, with many events taking place over the course of the year to mark what is a tremendous milestone.
Black Head SLSC – 100 years
In October 2025, Black Head SLSC proudly celebrated 100 years of dedicated volunteer patrols on its beautiful beach. Records indicate that no lives have been lost on Black Head Beach during patrol hours in that entire century of service.
This strong and vibrant organisation traces its beginnings back to 1925, when several drownings and near‑drownings prompted local resident Frederick Charles Postle to approach Manning Shire Council on 21 September 1925. Councillor Wylie Breckenridge strongly supported the proposal, recognising the growing popularity of surf bathing among both locals and visitors and the need for proper safety measures.
A public meeting at the School of Arts Hall in Taree on 30 September 1925 formally established Black Head Surf Life Saving Club.
The first group of Black Head lifesavers gained their Bronze Medallions on 18 April 1926, and the original clubhouse was built on the sand dune just north of the current lagoon bridge.
The current clubhouse, built largely through volunteer labour, was opened on 4 October 1959 under President Vic Godwin. Since then, numerous additions and improvements have shaped the modern, welcoming facility enjoyed by the community today.
The Centenary milestone was celebrated across three days in October 2025. Festivities included a Life Members’ Lunch on Friday 17 October, a ticketed celebration for members and guests on Saturday 18 October, and a Nippers’ display, barbecue, and open day on Sunday 19 October.
The club’s official history is recorded in the publication The First Century, which documents all Bronze Medallion holders and office bearers across the past 100 years.
Fairy Meadow SLSC – 75 years
During the 2025/26 season, Fairy Meadow SLSC proudly celebrated its 75th Anniversary, marking seven-and-a-half decades of continuous service to the community and commitment to beach safety.
Originally established in the late 1940s to protect newly arrived migrants living in local camps following the end of World War II, many of whom were unfamiliar with the hazards of the Australian coastline, the club was officially affiliated with Surf Life Saving in 1950. This milestone year provided an opportunity to honour that legacy while embracing a new era of growth.
The club used its 75th anniversary as a defining moment for renewal, honouring the members who built the club while setting a clear vision for the future. This included a revitalised brand identity, a return to its strong roots in surf boats and surf sports, and investment in modern capability.
It also focused on expanding lifesaving capability through active recruitment, improved member retention strategies, and the introduction of UAV technology into its operations.
A cornerstone of the celebrations was the 75th Anniversary Dinner, a memorable evening that brought members past and present together. The event featured historic uniform displays, personal stories shared by members, and a nostalgic showcase of archival photographs and video footage.
In recognition of this significant milestone, the club also undertook an extensive historical preservation project, where nearly 1,000 photographs and film negatives from former members were carefully digitised and individually restored. Interviews were also conducted with approximately 50 former members, with the work set to culminate in a feature-length documentary capturing the rich 75-year history of Fairy Meadow surf club.
Hat Head SLSC – 50 years
The proud community of Hat Head Surf Life Saving Club celebrated 50 years of continued service during the 2025/26 season, where two new Life Members were inducted during a fantastic night of festivities to mark the occasion.
The club was originally established in the 1940s, however it briefly disbanded in the early 60s. It was re-established in 1975 and has been a cornerstone of the mid north coastal communitysince then.
MacMasters Beach SLSC – 80 years
MacMasters Beach Surf Life Saving Club proudly celebrated 80 years of being during season 2025/26.
In 1945, a group of residents of MacMasters Beach found time to divert their thoughts away from the war that was still being fought in various parts of the world and, at a Progress Association Meeting held on the veranda of a local resident’s house in Lakeside Drive, MacMasters Beach SLSC was formed.
MacMasters Beach is a club that is steeped in the tradition of Surf Life Saving and built on a strong volunteer culture.
The milestone was marked by a weekend of celebrations, where members came from across NSW to reconnect, tell stories and reminisce.
A unique push was also championed to celebrate 80 years of serving their community – members were encouraged to come and patrol for 80 minutes, and fittingly, over 80 members participated in the initiative.
Other celebrations included a gala dinner, photo gallery, community day and commemorative memorabilia made to purchase.
North Cronulla SLSC – 100 years
Celebrating 100 years of North Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club in 2025/26, the Bate Bay club has built a legacy defined by service, bravery and an unwavering commitment to protecting itscommunity.
Its history and future is marked by the passing of Major James Perryman, who in 1950 lost his life during the successful belt rescue of a 16-year-old girl at their beach. His courage and selflessness remain a cornerstone of the club’s identity.
In a century of existence, the club’s members have conducted 16,000 rescues on North Cronulla Beach and the surrounding coastline and delivered thousands of first aid treatments and preventative actions.
More than 5,000 members have been trained as volunteer lifesavers, while the club’s Nippers program has equipped generations of beachgoers with the skills to confidently navigate the surf.
Two decades later, in 1977, another key pillar of the club’s history was completed. Following a tragic rise in backyard pool drownings, the club taught more than 700 members of the community vital resuscitation skills – a demonstration of the commitment to saving lives beyond the red and yellow flags.
North Cronulla reflects with pride, too, on the 20 members who have been honoured with bravery awards for their service.
Shelly Beach SLSC – 70 years
70 years of Shelly Beach Surf Life Saving Club was celebrated during the 2025/26 season, with fond memories of its humble beginnings still fuelling the club today.
In its early years, the club did not have a clubhouse; instead, members used a tent on Saturdays and Sundays for the first two years, reflecting their dedication and resourcefulness during the formative period.
The first clubhouse was erected in 1957. It was a very small building with almost no provisions and extremely limited facilities.
Throughout its history, the Surf Club has experienced significant growth in both membership and facilities. From those humble beginnings with a small group of dedicated volunteers and a modest clubhouse in the late 1950s, the club has steadily expanded.
The unwavering commitment of past and present board members has been instrumental in guiding these advancements.