2025 marks the Avalon Beach Surf Lifesaving Club's 100 Years and we have put together a program so that all members past and present can be involved. Kicking off will be a screening on Sunday 19th January in the Bangalley Bar (from 3pm) of the memorial held at Avalon Beach 20 years ago for those affected by the south-east Asian tsunami.
On the 1st February a special screening of Highway Way (an iconic surf movie made on the Northern Beaches) will be held at the Avalon Cinema followed by drinks and canapes at the Bangalley Bar. This is a ticketed event and spaces are limited so book your tickets now.
We will also be showing some free surf movies across the month of February in the Ocean Room at the surf club - so keep an eye out for further details.
There will be a DJ on the deck on Sundays throughout February and cocktails served in the bar to while away the summer afternoons. March 1st will see the Stomp return to the surf Club, a dance craze that took the beaches and the world by storm in the 1960's. This is a ticketed event so get in early to reserve your place to dance the night away to the sounds of the Countdown Band.
Throughout the year we will be pulling out some stories from our past so that we celebrate our legacy and standing in the community and reflect on what we have achieved as we look forward to shaping our future.
Bernadette McKay
President
REFLECTIONS IN THE WAVES
Remembering significant Milestones in the club's 100 year history that occurred in the month of... January
by Roger Sayers OAM
31st January 1926 - first Avalon Beach club members to receive their Bronze Medallion
January 1985 - SLSA Innovation Award to Warren Mitchell "Father of the IRB for Surf Rescue"
17th January 1993 inaugural Avalon Beach swim - it has now morphed into the Around the Bends Swim - 31 years strong
January 1994 - Club members responded to SLSNB call out to evacuate four people and two cruisers from Elvina Bay and McCarr's Creek by IRB who were cut off by Bushfires advancing toward them.
January 2005 - Community Event at Avalon beach to honour the victims of the south-east Asian tsunami - recognised by Pittwater Council as the "Community Event of the Year".
January 2020 - Club came together to support families on the south coast who were devastated by that season's summer bushfires
2nd January 2022 - 68 rescues at Avalon Beach - 40 degrees, easing of Covid restrictions and tricky surf conditions - mass call out for support with 35 lifesavers on duty
Australia Day Honours - An impressive total of Eight Club Members have received Order of Australia Medals (OAM) announced on Australia Day
Michael Byrnes OAM 1999
Warren Mitchell OAM 1999
Brian Friend OAM 2013
Warren Young OAM 2014
Christine Hopton OAM 2017
Geoff Searl OAM 2019
Roger Sayers OAM 2021
1 February 2025: Highway One
The year is 1975 when 25yr old surfer and film maker Steven Otton embarked upon making his film 'Highway One'. The story is centred around a group of surfers and their girlfriends who travel 'up the coast' via the Pacific Highway (Highway One) showing the seminal surf film 'Morning of the Earth' in regional and town theatres. A visual feast and a true capture of places and times gone by showing our beloved Avalon along with Manly and areas of the northern Rivers up to Byron Bay.
The soundtrack of surfing and the lifestyle includes 'Capricorn Dancer' by Richard Clapton as well as songs from Skyhooks and local 70's band The Bilgola Bop Band.
February 1, 2025 is 50 years after Steve started making this now iconic film and will be the second only world premiere of 'Highway One' at Avalon Cinema after the original world premier there in 1977! Book fast for this nostalgic cinema event. 6pm movie followed by canapes at the Surf Club by Lovat on the Beach, compliments of McGrath.
Sat 1 Feb 2025 6:00 PM - 8:15 PM
LOCATION
United Cinemas Avalon
39 Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach
Tickets Here
1 March 2025: Dance and Live Music
Open to the public.. in honour of The Stomp!
Any past members please email the Club at 100years@avalonbeachslsc.com.au with your updated details...so that we can keep you informed of activities planned for members.
To keep up-to-date, please visit the Avalon Beach Surf Lifesaving Club website: avalonbeachslsc.com.au
For those who want to see what the valley of Avalon Beach wanted to look like 100 years ago, please visit:
David Hazlewood: Photographer of Avalon Beach SLSC Founders meeting