General News
20 December, 2023
Port club celebrates 60 years
PORT Campbell Surf Life Saving Club marked a special milestone recently.
Club president Scott McKenzie said the club celebrated 60 years since a group of 20 young men from the local community were trained and assessed as proficient surf life savers.
He said that group of men formed the foundation group of volunteer patrollers at the Port Campbell beach.
“Ten of the original squad travelled from as far as Western Australia to be part of the weekend,” Mr McKenzie said.
“They were treated to the spectacle of hundreds of Nippers going through their paces on Saturday morning.
“Some of the originals donned the traditional ‘March Past’ uniforms to perform a demonstration March Past and traditional ‘Belt and Reel rescue display.
“Grandchildren of some of the original squad were on hand to assist with the demonstrations.”
As well being an opportunity to see how the club had changed over the 60 years, the weekend was a chance for friends to reconnect over shared memories.
Mr McKenzie said some of the original members who had not visited the club in recent years were amazed at the facilities the club now has and the fact the club has more than 200 nippers and more than 500 members in total.
“Some had not seen the club or others of the original squad in the 10 years since the 50th celebrations,” he said.
“Displays of historical photos, news articles and other club memorabilia were set up in the club function room and past and present members, families and friends spent the afternoon catching up, sharing stories and reflecting on the seven members of the original squad who are no longer with us.”
The celebrations were rounded out with a 60s themed disco complete with 60s outfits and music.