Pittwater Online News

On the coastal side the eastern facing strip of beach a small family orientated surf club officially opened in February 1950. Prior to that the waters below Turimetta Headland have tragically claimed lives;

BOAT OVERTURNS. Man Drowned in Surf. SURVIVOR'S DESPERATE STRUGGLE. Robert McIntosh, 31, of Park-street, Narrabeen, was drowned, and William Gadd, 61, of Long Reef, had to make a desperate swim to the shore when a fishing boat overturned near Warriewood Beach yesterday morning. The two men, who were unemployed, intended to make some money by fishing to tide them over the Christmas season. They left Narrabeen about 7.30 a.m., and fished for three hours before they were caught in a strong southerly. They immediately set out for Warriewood Beach. When within 100 yards of the shore they were caught in a great breaker, which overwhelmed the boat and capsized it. Both men were thrown into the water. Gadd was struggling desperately to save himself when McIntosh came to the surface about 10 feet from him. McIntosh beat the water with his arms, and his friend could see that he was helpless. Gadd made an effort to reach him. When he was within a few feet, McIntosh threw up his arms. "I'm done for," he shouted, and sank. Gadd was washed aside by a huge wave, and had difficulty in reaching the shore. He was thrown on the beach, and did not revive until he had been treated by Constable Huckins, of Narrabeen.  BOAT OVERTURNS. (1931, November 10). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 9. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16819186

MISSING FROM ROCKS SYDNEY Monday - Police searched today along the base of precipitous cliffs near Warriewood beach for Percy Albert Honeysett 42 of John street Leichhardt. Honeysett with his wife and two children left his home early yesterday morning to fish off the locks near what is known as the blow hole He left his wife and family in their car at the top of the cliffs and when he did not return late in the afternoon his wife notified the police Narrabeen and Manly police with Mrs Honeysett and civilians started a search. They found Honeysett’s overcoat and fishing bag on a rock but no sign of the missing man. MISSING FROM ROCKS. (1939, May 9). The Argus(Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 3. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12126364

The beach was accessed and enjoyed by many of the local families in the valley over the hill and at North Narrabeen. Its shift from one still wild frontier to a place acknowledged as being frequented by many is its inclusion in Depression era works which saw many rock pools constructed along our coasts, although this one never was built:

The Warringah Shire Council has decided to construct a new rock baths at Warriewood Beach for use during the coming surfing season. BUILDINGS CONTEMPLATED. (1931, September 1).The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16825334

Warriewood's non-existent rock baths

A line and reel were installed though:

GEAR INSPECTIONS. Every year, at the commencement of the surfing season, the Surf Life-saving Association's gear Inspection committee makes the round of all surf life saving clubs in the metropolitan area, and Inspects the equipment they possess. This inspection will be carried out as follows:
October 17: .Bondi. North Bondi. Tamarama, Bronte.
October 18: Cronulla, North Cronulla, South Brighton. Brighton. Maroubra, Coogee. Clovelly.
October24: .Manly, North Steyne, Queenscliff, Freshwater. South Curl Curl. North Curl Curl.
October 25: Palm Beach. Whale Beach. Bilgola, Avalon, Newport. Mona Vale,  Alumni, Warriewood. North Narrabeen, South Narrabeen, Collaroy, Deewhy.
SURF LIFE-SAVING. (1936, October 7). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 18. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17277246

During World War II the whole stretch of Pittwater’s coastline became a series of trenches, barbed wire fences and watch posts manned by locals and the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) an Australian part time volunteer military force of World War II modelled on the British Home Guard. Surf clubs were manned by women, younger children with measures taken to ensure those who went surf bathing did not drown. Warriewood was included in this:

SURF LIFE-SAVING: The Surf Life Saving Association is taking steps to form a N.S.W. Police Surf Life-saving Club, with headquarters at Warriewood. A meeting to form the club will be held on September 10 at Police Headquarters. Phillip street. SURF LIFE-SAVING. (1941, August 7). The Sydney Morning Herald(NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17745566

By 1950, at the pleading of resident mums, current Life Member John (Jock) Mackay and Gordon Longley, father of the former member for Pittwater and lifelong Warriewood resident Jim Longley acceded to taking on a role as life savers. Early members state the club was officially formed on February 18th, 1950.

Warriewood, like all our SLS Club was built on the people who are members. Warriewood SLSC, established in the 1951 Season by 12 local guys including Jock MacKay. Jock has been a pivotal part of the club and remains involved to this day. Founding Members and Life Members were recently been recognised in a new Honour Board now on display in the club house, presented at the 2019/2020 AGM.

FOUNDING MEMBERS 1950: W. Sattler, N. Waugh, R. Smith, J. Mackay, E. Glennie, O. Sattler, R. Young, M. Muras, M. Byron, G. Longley, H. Donaldson, A. Dunedan.

According to 1953 Warringah Council minutes from Meetings Requests by Surf Clubs for appointment, under Seal, of Beach Inspectors nominated by them, were for Warriewood; - A. Ormsby, J. Mackay, R. Stevens-Jones, G. Longley J. Smiles and J. Lenton. Equipped with a surfboat donated by legendary and skilled yachtsman Syd Fisher, then sweep at Bilgola, and described by some members as a ‘crate’ Warriewood SLSC was officially ‘launched’.

Jock Mackay, President of Warriewood SLSC for 13 years describes this boat thus:
The boat was in shocking condition. Its back was broken, and instead of a curve from one end to the other, in the middle it was flat, ribs broken and planks distorted and leaked like a sieve. The members caulked it and painted it but when we took it out in the surf it used to fill up in about five minutes. It eventually made great BBQ fuel.

Considering Jock's appraisal of their first surf boat, it should come as no surprise that this occurred, Jock among those hurt:

Lifesavers HURT IN BOAT CRASH 

Three Warriewood lifesavers were injured yesterday when their surfboat crashed on a sand-bank at Whale Beach. Sweep Ken Scully received back injuries, bowman John McKay injured his legs, and Allan Kensey slightly hurt his right leg. The upset, during the senior surf-boat race at the Whale Beach restricted carnival, was described by officials as the most unusual and spectacular seen in recent years. Returning from the buoys the Warriewood boat caught a small wave which petered out near the edge of a bank near the beach. Then a huge wave suddenly built up behind the boat. As the dumper curled and broke, about 18 inches of water in the boat surged to the bows The crew was powerless to prevent a crash. The boat smashed nose first on the sandbank, bounced, and then did a stem to stern turnover, landing upside down. LIFESAVERS HURT IN BOAT CRASH. (1953, December 28). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18402498

The first clubhouse was a simple shed tucked into the western arc of the beach. Members and their supporters recall having to carry this down the slopes leading to the beach, no easy task, and then reassemble its parts.

Helen Mackie recalls: My mother and some other women started the surf club at Warriewood. Micky Byron was first lifesaver. Mum and the ladies made scones and sold them on the weekends to raise money to build the surf club. The first club building was a really big box that cars were bought in. We had to climb down the cliff to get to the beach

Warriewood SLSC the shed - photo courtesy Melissa Frost Rowe. Melissa says; My mum, Gay Frost (Breen) was Miss Warriewood, still trying to track photo down.

To raise funds the surf club mothers continued making and selling scones and teas through the above shed/kiosk, apparently run for years by Dorothy and Stanley Chessell, and the surf club members put on carnivals:

SURF CARNIVAL.-Warriewood Surf Club will hold a surf life-saving display at Warriewood beach on Sunday afternoon. Proceeds of the display will go towards the construction of a new club-house. U.S. BOXER MAY VISIT. (1952, January 31). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18258865

A great photo from Dianne Passlow of her and her Dad (Lionel Passlow) taken at Warriewood Beach around 1962 or 63. The old Warriewood surf club in the background.

Warriewood Beach circa 1968 - aerial

Built at the southern end of the beach this first club house was burnt down on January 18, 1982. As is the way with Pittwater people and a Council quick to take action when that's required, it was promptly rebuilt that same year with the clubhouse we still see tucked into the southern end of the beach today:

Since then a series of improvements have been funded. In January 2019 Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes announced Warriewood Surf Life Saving Club would receive $46,875  through the NSW Government’s 2018/19 Surf Club Facility Program to upgrade the club's first aid and patrol room. In June 2021 it was announced, at Warriewood beach itself, Surf Life Saving Clubs in NSW will share in $3.5 million worth of support for facilities improvements and capital works through the Surf Club Facility Grant Program. A highlight of the 2020/21 program included $300,689 to Warriewood SLSC for resurfacing works and redirection of public walkway and beach access.

Warriewood SLSC has always had a strong representation in surf boats, winning many inter-club and championship races during its 70+ years. In 1956 the club won a new surfboat, the Pontiac Chieftain, which the Loreat SLSC in Western Australia purchased from them for £400 in 1958 as their first surf boat. The Pontiac Chieftain was also an automobile produced by the Pontiac Motors Division of General Motors from 1949 to 1958. Chieftains were one of the first all new car designs to come to Pontiac in the post World War II years. The Chieftain logo became that of Warriewood SLSC and is still used today. This photo from a newspaper of then was taken at Warriewood:

Warriewood’s prowess, and the name of this new surf boat, as much as the romance ascribed to this gem of a beach, seemed to be utilised by others and illustrates how long GM (USA) and Ford have had their eyes on each other’s markets;

NEW FORD 6 HERE NEXT WEEK: The first six-cylinder car produced by Ford in Australia-the Zephyr-will be shown at Haig Motors, Mount Gambier, on Wednesday. Big brother to the Consul, the Zephyr Six is of a design and power performance that make it ideally suited to Australian conditions. The styling preserves the smooth-flowing lines of the bigger V8 Custom and smaller Consul. The Zephyr is seen (at right) on the headland overlooking picturesque Warriewood Beach, north of Sydney. Pretty picnicker is 17-year-old Jeanette Elphiek, chosen to star in the Australian film "Duwarra," now being produced in Central 'Australia. NEW FORD 6 HERE NEXT WEEK. (1952, August 2). Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : 1861 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved fromhttp://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80766482

Edward Hallstrom was a big supporter of surf life saving clubs too, a became the Patron at Warriewood SLSC. 

HALLSTROM PATRON
Sir Edward Hallstrom has been elected patron of Warriewood Surf Club. HALLSTROM PATRON (1952, September 24). The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), , p. 39 (LATE FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article231007467

With members such as legendary Allan Collins, 'The Master' sweep, Robert Fulton who joined the Warriewood Surf Club in 1969 and began rowing Surf Boats in 1970, Warriewood entered a Golden Era of being the club to watch during surf boat competitions. Robert Walsh’s Warriewood Surf Boat History 1970-1984 records these feats.

Another member joining in 1953, Norman Godden, recalls;

Warriewood Australian Champions, Bondi: also Branch Metropolitan, Interstate, NSW Champions - Jeff White (bow), Merv Godden (2nd bow), John McNamara (2nd stroke) Allan Collins (sweep) Allan Hinson (stroke). Below: Same crew as above. Photos courtesy Allan Collins.

Warriewood SLSC Bronze medallion squad; SLSA official, Warwick Fisher, Norm Godden ?, Roger, Terry Kay?, Ronnie, Laurie, Jock McKay, instructor. Photo courtesy Warwick Fisher, circa 1957-58.

In 1963 the community came together again about the proposed sewerage outfall, originally made to service the still to be built Mona Vale Hospital and growing urban areas around the beach:

Residents of Warringah Shire, near Sydney at a public meeting last. Saturday afternoon. 

The meeting was called to protest against a proposed sewage outlet near Warriewood Beach. The State Government has refused their demand that the outlet pipe be extended out to sea. 

No title (1963, April 24). Tribune (Sydney, NSW : 1939 - 1976), p. 11. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236851946 

RESISTANCE MOVEMENT

By CAROL HENTY

Warriewood Beach. The dotted line on the southern headland shows present progress of the sewerage pipe which will empty effluent from the new Mona Vale Hospital into the sea below the headland. The outlet will be about 40 yards from a natural pool among the rocks nearer the beach. Residents have offered to pay for a 700ft. extension of the pipeline farther along the headland.

Warriewood fighters won't give up. For the past few weeks the usually happy wives of Warriewood, N.S.W., have dropped their domestic duties to take arms against a Government sewerage pipeline.

As planned the pipe will convey effluent from the new Mona Vale Hospital into the sea just off Warriewood beach, a small, gently curved bay between Narrabeen and Mona Value, north of Sydney. The beach is the centre of relaxation for Warriewood residents who live in neat houses overlooking the stretch of sand and surf.

During the summer week-ends almost the entire district "lives" on the beach.

Visiting surfers can bring the number to 5000 on holidays. Evenings out are usually spent at the fine surf club on the beach. And dur-the week, when the husbands have gone to work, the wives use the natural pool at the southern end as a playground for their young

children.

The planned outlet for the hospital effluent is not far from the rock pool. In fact, a wave passing the outlet takes only six seconds to wash directly into the "children's pool." The housewives have timed it.

They have also calculated that, come a westerly blow, the effluent, emptying only 595ft. from the beach at the rate of 50,000 gallons a day, would be trapped within the sheltered beach for perhaps days on end.

Mothers have joined wholeheartedly the Warriewood Progress Association's fight to have the pipeline extended another 700ft. along the headland so that the effluent will empty into deeper water and be swept out to sea. They have offered to foot the bill.

They have led deputations to Health Department authorities and Government ministers. They have called meeting after meeting, in between doing the family washing and ironing, to discuss plans of campaign.

They have suggested a sit down strike on the pipeline and, backed by the Warriewood Progress Association, they dug an extension to the pipeline last weekend as an act of protest.

In the meantime, the clay scar of the Government pipe-line advances inexorably over the headland.

"We're not usually a militant group of people," said Mrs. E. Armstrong, looking from her living-room picture window toward the headland. "We're just mothers. At the moment very frustrated and distressed ones.

"I lost one child through cancer. I plan to keep the other three alive and healthy and I'll fight to do it.

"We know that the effluent  will be chemically treated at a plant near the hospital before it is discharged into the sea. We know that bacteria don't live long in sea water and that, chemically treated, the effluent will be free of them.

"But what about the viruses? No doctor has been able to tell us that the chemically treated effluent will contain no golden staph, hepatitis, or polio."

Local mothers and children on the headland next to the of pipe.

A knock at Mrs. Armstrong's door, and Mrs. Freda Egan came in.

"I've just left the washing up and my nineteen-month old babe with a neighbor," she said, "to come and talk about the meeting tonight.

"This used to be such a lovely, friendly beach," she told me. "We've never participated in anything like this.

"But when the Government men supposed to represent the people go ahead with plans that affect us vitally and don't take any notice of our views, it's a serious matter.

"Wars have been fought for freedoms like this.

"Also, if this happens to Warriewood, what's to stop it happening to any beach along the coast?"

Marshal of the Warriewood resistance movement is the president of the Warriewood Progress Association, Mr. C. Thackrah. The Association heard about the pipeline last September, before the scheme was started.

The Association protested and the Minister for Public Works offered members a trip to Gosford to observe a similar effluent scheme and treatment.

"After the Gosford trip, we were satisfied that there would be no visible effluent on our beach," said Mr. Thackrah.

Mrs. E. Armstrong (left) and Mrs. F. Egan, of Warriewood: "We shall fight till the last pipe goes down."

"At Gosford we were told the effluent there was 95 per cent, organically pure. Later we discovered that 'organically pure' doesn't mean there are no wogs in it.

"Even if the effluent were pure, as Health Department authorities insist it will be, who, from an aesthetic point of view, would want to swim in cabbage water?"

At that stage the Association proposed that the pipe-line be taken 700ft. farther along the headland away from the beach. The proposal was turned down as too expensive. Their next positive step was a Saturday afternoon meeting on the headland where the pipeline was to go.

Five hundred residents turned up for a two-hour meeting and to hear a speech by Mr. R. W. Askin, Member for Collaroy and leader of the State Government Opposition. Subsequently the Association presented the alternative proposal to Mr. P. N. Ryan, Minister for Public Works, had interviews with Dr. A. Douglas, Metropolitan Officer for Health, and with the Ministers for Health and Local Government, Mr. Sheahan and Mr. Hills.

"While this negotiation which took weeks-was going on, the pipeline was started," said Mr. Thackrah. "The only results of our efforts were Mr. Sheahan's concession to put in a chlorinating plant and a suspension of the pipeline after discussion with Mr. Hills.

"However, work on the pipeline soon started again.

"Our only hope now is to appeal to the Acting Premier, Mr. Renshaw. This we will do when we have an accurate quotation from our contractor for the extension we propose to pay for."

Mrs. J. Key, who has two children under five, said:

"The whole thing is a disgrace-and that's putting it mildly.

"We moved here from Newtown because, for the children's sake, we wanted a clean, healthy area.

"Nearly all the young people here - many built their houses themselves -have come because of the beach." 

RESISTANCE MOVEMENT (1963, June 5).The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58435718 

Warriewood surf club has always been a very strong family club, with everyone looking after everyone else and the children being cared for. Local families such as the Mackays, the Kinseys, the Hustons, the Burgmanns, the Tilburys, the Dyers and so many others have all contributed to developing a special family feel to the place that persists today. Warriewood also has one of the largest nipper clubs in surf life saving today. 

Warriewood also played a role in leading the fight for women to become the vital part of the lifesaving movement that they are today. Maurie Segedin, a one-time president of Warriewood junior club, said years ago:

Women were officially allowed to be SLSC members and part of patrols in 1980.

The Warriewood SLSC website state the goals of the Warriewood Surf Life Saving Club are:

• - To supply services that minimise danger and prevent loss of life or injury to beach users.
• - To raise the skills and knowledge of the beach-going public in areas of aquatic safety and recreation.
• - To be fully supportive of the authority on matters relating to beach and aquatic safety and management.

To find out more, please visit: http://www.warriewoodslsc.com.au/

Incidentals - References

1. Norman Godden - Profile
2. Allan Collins - Profile
3. Warriewood SLSC Club Launches The Allan Collins Surf Boat
4. The Macphersons Of Wharriewood: The William Joseph Macpherson Albums
5. Pittwater Roads II: Where The Streets Have Your Name - Warriewood
6. Sir Edward John Lees Hallstrom