We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Australian National Surfing Museum
This photograph shows Louis Whyte from Geelong and friends on Lorne Beach in 1920 holding two redwood timber surfboards. In the background can be seen the Lorne foreshore.
One of the earliest group photographs of surfers in Victoria. The surfboards and surfers are believed to be the first in Victoria.
Black and white photograph
Snowy McAlister's stories collected for newspaper articles he wrote?
Brown Tudor 100 sheet duplicate book. top copy of each page has been removed, duplicate pages remain
Snowy McAlister's handwritten stories - Surfing Safaris, Surfers and where you find 'em, Learners Pens, Back Loading, Surfing with Snow, Birth of Australian Surfing, Birth of Australian Surfing, A Pleasant
snowy mcalister, surfing stories 1961, nsw surfing, sydney surfing
GIDGET was written by Frederick Kohner the father of the real Gidget, Kathy Kohner Zuckerman. The book is based on Kathy's experiences as a 15 year old girl at Malibu Beach, Southern California during the summer of 1957 discovering Moondoggie, the Big Kahuna and surfing. The book was made into a highly succesful feature film of the same name, released in 1959 with Sandra Dee playing the star role of Gidget.
GIDGET is socially and culturally significant because it was one of the first mainstream books to explore the surfing sub-culture of Southern California. The book was made into a feature film which played a significant role in popularising the surfing sub-culture around the world.
Soft cover book, aqua wash artwork featuring colour photograph of Kathy Kohnner Zuckerman (aka the real Gidget) wearing an orange one piece swimsuit holding a malibu surfboard on cover.
Main title GIDGET on cover. One line testimonials at the top of the book cover. Publishers logo on spine. Barcode on back of book. Inside cover personally signed by Kathy Kohner Zuckerman.
gidget, kathy kohner zuckerman, frederick kohner, moondoggie, the big kahuna, malibu beach, surfing, sandra dee,
Black and white photograph of Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew free surfing at the 1977 Stubbies Contest held at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.
Professional surfers from Australia Mark Richards (centre) and Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew (right) scrutinize judges tally sheets, possibly at Bells Beach in Victoria.
Rare photograph featuring MR and 'Rabbit' two of the world's most competitive surfers during the seventies read what appears to be a judges tally sheet.
Black and white photograph with chemical discolouration across top.
mr, mark richards, 'rabbit', wayne bartholomew,
Jack McCoy is a famous surfer and surf film maker from Hawaii. In this photograph he can be seen holding a brand new Lightning Bolt single fin surfboard.
Jack McCoy is recognised as one of the world's great surf film makers.During the seventies Lighting Bolt were one of the most famous surfboard companies in the world. The fact both 'were' born in Hawaii makes this photograph interesting and significant.
Black and white photograph of surf film maker Jack McCoy holding a Lightning Bolt surfboard.
Lightning Bolt logo on surfboard
jack mccoy, lightning bolt surfboards,
Reno Abellira was one of the top surfers to come out of Hawaii during the seventies. He was noted for his speed and style on the wave culminating in success on the early professional surfing circuit. The twin fin surfboard was a natural progression from the single fin and one of the most popular types of surfboard ridden during the mid-seventies.
Reno Abellira was one of Hawaii's top surfers and one if its first professional surfers during the seventies. This rare photograph shows Reno holding his 'tools in trade' a twin fin surfboard.
Black and white photograph of Hawaiian surfer Reno Abellira holding the tail of a twin fin surfboard. Abellira is wearing an O'Neil full length wetsuit.
O'Neill logo on wetsuit
reno abellira, twin fin surfboard, o'neill wetsuits
This is a rare colour photograph of Australian surfer Peter Townend in Hawaii with three of his surfboards from his World Championship Year, 1976. Townend shaped the two surfboards he is holding.
Two of the three surfboards Peter Townend is holding appeared on the cover of American surfing magazines - SURFER vol 15 #5, January 1975 and SURFER vol 18 #1, May 1977.
Colour photograph
peter townend, surfer magazine,
The most concise encyclopedia of surfing produced to 2004 featuring over 1500 entries from the world of surfing including places, people, events, gear, culture and terminology. Illustrated with over 300 photographs plus a comprehensive surfing bibiography, discography and filmography.
One of the most significant surfing books ever produced. Broad and concise coverage of surfing and surf culture by Matt Warshaw, former editor of SURFER magazine
Colour photograph on the cover featuring backlit surfer riding a longboard.
Book title and author's name
encyclopedia of surfing, matt warshaw
This souvenir program from the 1970 World Surfboard Riding Championships at Bells Beach, Australia includes information about the contest, organisers, Bells Beach and competing surf teams from around the world.
The 1970 World Titles were the first international surfing event held in Victoria and the first international surfing contest to be held at the world famous Bells Beach. The contest was shrouded in controversy from day one with poor surf, drug busts and other inappropriate behaviour from competitors.
Colour cover depicts an aqua/white background with a surfer going left. Text in black and red.
bells beach, rolf aurness, 1970 world titles, stan couper
This photo by Jack Eden shows Gary Birdall leaning against his car at Cronulla Beach in 1959. Gary was a favourite with photographers during this period. A photograph of him charging huge Cronulla Point featured on the cover of The Atlantics record BOMBORA.
This photograph is of natiuonal significance showcasing one of the most talented young surfers to come out of Cronulla in the early sixties. Gary Birdsall competed in many of the first surfing contests around Australia and today is an accomplished artist.
Black and white photograph of Sydney surfer, Gary Birdsall leaning against a car with his back facing the ocean at 'Midway' Cronulla Beach, Sydney.
jack eden, gary birdsall, cronulla point
The Green Iguana is one of the most creative surf films ever featuring Australian surfers Mark Occhilupo, Luke Egan, 'Munga' Barry and 'Margo'. All Australian soundtrack by the best independent bands of the time and stunning cinematography by Jack McCoy made this a cult classic when it was released in 1992.
One of the most influential surf films of the nineties by world renowned surf film maker Jack McCoy.
VHS surf movie with colour cover art featuring Mark Occhilupo surfing and a green Iguana.
Sponsors name in title.
mark occhilupo, jack mccoy, the green iguana, luke egan, munga barry, inxs, the cruel sea, hunters and collectors, the celebrite rifles, yothu yindi and ed kuepper
Surfboats have played an important role in saving lives on Australian beaches since the early 1900's. This boat at the famous Bondi Beach can be seen riding a wave to the beach with the standard five man crew. Many early Australian surfers were members of Surf Life Saving Clubs regularly riding the waves in surfboats, surf ski's and other surf rescue craft.
Rare image of an Australian surfboat riding a wave at one of Australia's most iconic surf beaches in Sydney during the 1920's.
Black and white photograph
'Donated by John Pettigrove' on the back
sydney, bondi beach, surfboat, surf life saving clubs
For three years during the 1970's, 'MP' was the best surfer in the world, winning every surfing contest he entered. MP was an enigmatic competitor and master surfboard shaper during this significant period of growth and opportunity in Australian surfing.
This biography tells the story of one of the most dynamic surfer/shapers in Australia during the 1970's. His contribution to world surfing is significant in both the contest arena and the shaping bay.
Soft cover book featuring a photograph by Marty Tullemans of Michael Peterson with one of his surfboards under his arm. Quote from Kelly Slater. 342 pages.
ISBN - 978 0 7322 8588 3
michael peterson, bells beach, peter drouyn, mark richards, sean doherty, rabbit bartholomew, coolangatta, kirra point
This ukelele was owned by Snowy McAlister one of the most famous surfers to come out of the Manly surf scene during the 20th century. Snowy won eleven surfboard 'display' contests in Sydney and Newcastle from 1923-1936 including the first 'Australian Championship at Manly Beach in 1924.
This ukelele belonged to one of the most influential surfers during the 20th century. It was made by Jonah Kumalae of Hawaii during the early part of the 20th century. It represents the connection between surfing and music as personified by this musical instrument made popular in Hawaii during this period.
Handcrafted Hawaiian, Kumalae ukelele, light brown in colour,missing one of the four original tuning knobs.
Kumalae logo on the top of the neck of the ukelele.
snowy mcalister, jonah kumalae, kumalae ukelele
Authorised biography on Australia's Layne Beachley the most successful female surfer in the history of the sport. This book follows her story as she strives to overcome the obstacles of injury, chronic fatigue and family tragedy to achieve success in the male dominated sport of surfing.
The first biography on seven times, World Surfing Champion Layne Beachley, one of the most succesful female athletes in the history of modern sport. Written by award winning journalist and surfer Michael Gordon.
Colour cover with a close up photographic image of a smiling Layne Beachley paddling into a wave.
Book title, author name.
layne beachley, kelly slater, stephanie gilmore, lisa anderson, michael gordon, ken bradshaw, kirk pengilly
One page sheet folded to make a 4 page brochure. Black and white photograph of Bobby Brown on the front page.
List of sponsors names on back page.
Photograph showing early promotion for the first surfboard contest (rally) in Sydney in 1958. A surfboard has been used to create a unique roadside sign promoting the contest at Long Reef in the winter of 1958.
This photograph is a rare example of early promotion for Sydney surfing contests.
Black and white photograph of surfboard sign on Pittwater Road, north of Dee Why, Sydney.
1958 surfboard rally, wanderers rally, long reef beach, c j mcalister
This home movie features people enjoying summer by the beach. It was filmed at Torquay Surf Beach, Torquay, Victoria circa 1947. The last shots of the film show a surfer riding a hollow wooden plywood surfboard to the beach and stepping off onto the sand.
Torquay Surf Beach was a macca for surfers in post-war Victoria. This is one of the earliest movies to show surfing at Torquay and in Victoria. It also features very early images of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club which is the oldest in Victoria.
Black and white 8mm home movie transferred to VHS and digitised to AVI file. Duration - 1 minute and 16 seconds.
Museum logo at the start of the video clip.
surfing, torquay surf life saving club, 1947, torquay surf beach, hollow plywood surfboard
The first SURFER magzazine to feature Murphy a cartoon creation by Rick Griffin on the cover.
SURFER was one of the first international surfing magzines. Created by John Severson the magazine is still in print today. The cartoon on the cover is drawn by Californian artist Rick Griffin who during the sixties and seventies was one of the most influential artists in the world of surfing and later music. This issue was also one of the first international surf magazines to feature images of Midget Farrelly surfing Hawaii and the first pictorial on New Zealand.
Colour cover featuring cartoon of a surfer by Rick Griffin. Inside magazine 52 pages of black and white text and photographs.
Surfer logo on the cover
cartoon, surfing, music, hawaii, new zealand, midget farrelly, rick griffin, john severson, murphy
Cult Australian surf travel documentary made by Stefan Hunt and Jonno Durrant as they endeavour to surf 50 states of the United States of America in 50 days (32 without an ocean). Music by Spiderbait, The Wahas and many more. World Premier at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, Cremorne, Sydney on 15th October, 2008.
On of the most popular independent surf travel documentaries ever made. Unique insight into surfing and popular culture.
Colour cover art of an American flag over a sand, movie title and colour photograph of Johnno and Stefan with the infamous Hurley Van.
Movie title, one line synopsis
jonno durrant, stefan hunt, surfing 50 states, spiderbait
Morning Of The Earth tells the fantasy of three exotic lands: Bali, Hawaii and Australia, where surfers made their own houses, surfboards and lived in harmony with nature. Featuring Nat Young, Terry Fitzgerald, Gerry Lopez, Stephen Cooney, David Treloar and Michael Petersen. The movie soundtrack featured Terry Hannigan, Taman Shud, Brian Cadd , G. Wayne Thomas and many others. The film premiered at the Manly Silver Screen Theatre in 1972.
Described by many as the greatest surf film ever made in Australia and one of the most influential surf films ever made, Albert Falzon's stunning surf footage captured the spirit of a timeless period in Australian surf history.
Black text on red with iconic black and white photograph of Michael Petersen cutback.
Film title, Jonas Mekas quote.
nat young, gerry lopez, albert falzon, michael petersen, taman shud, morning of the earth, terry fitzgerald, stephen cooney, david treloar, bali, brian cadd, terry hannigan, g wayne thomas, david elfick
Evolution captures Australian surfing at a pivotal moment in 1969 when the shortboard revolution was in full swing. The old long board era was to be consigned to history as Wayne Lynch, Nat Young and Ted Spencer re-wrote the surfing rule book on a 1969 world tour. Music soundtrack by Taman Shud and Tully.
This film had a significant influence on world surfing when it as released. The surfing images of Lynch, Young and Spencer had a profound influence on the way that surfers rode waves and the surfing equipment they used. The film remains a true reflection on a pivitol moment in surfing history.
Black and white photograph on cover of Wayne Lynch cutback.
Classification (G), movie title and synopsis
nat young, wayne lynch, evolution, paul witzig, ted spencer, taman shud, tully
Feature length surf documentary which looks at events leading up to the clash between Hawaiian surfers and Australian surfers on the North Shore of Oahu in the early seventies. Includes interviews with Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew, Shaun Tomson, Mark Richards, Peter Townend, Ian Cairns and others.
Award winning documentary that focused on a pivotal moment in world surfing history as Australian and other surfers strove to 'bust down the door' in the surfing Mecca of Hawaii.
Cover photograph of Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew hand raised with inset image of Mark Richards surfing Sunset Beach.
Certification (M) and Madman logo
kelly slater, mark richards, gerry lopez, shaun tomson, bustin down the door, wayne rabbit bartholomew, peter townend, ian cairns, michael tomson
In 1984 Nat Young released his ground breaking documentary The History of Australian Surfing. This DVD of that film tells the story of the evolution of surfing in Australia from its origin in Sydney through to the development of wooden, fibreglass and short surfboards. The film features footage of Australia's greatest surfers including Midget Farrelly, Mark Richards, Tom Carroll, Wayne Lynch and many more.
Groundbreaking documentary that for the first time attempted to tell the unique history of Australian surfing on film.
Colour cover art including barrel background and images of surfing and beach culture forming the films titles.
Distributors logo
cheyne horan, nat young, tom carroll, mark richards, wayne lynch, midget farrelly, michael petersen
Feature length surf film described as one of the slickest and most professional ever made featuring the worlds top surfers Mark Richards, Gerry Lopez, Simon Anderson plus Wayne Lynch and many more. The film featured a rocking soundtrack with music by The Doors, Australian Crawl, Split Enz, The Church, Sunnyboys and many more. Special features on this DVD include the cult short surf film KONG's ISLAND.
One of the best surf films to be made in the eighties featuring outstanding cinematography by Jack McCoy including Big Bells in 1981. The film broke box offices records around Australia during its theatrical screening.
Cover artwork of film poster featuring film title, surfing images and faces of featured surfers.
Film Title , 25th Anniversary Special Edition
tom carroll, mark richards, gerry lopez, storm riders, jack mccoy, dick hoole, david lourie, wayne lynch, maurice cole, rabbit bartholomew, simon anderson, shaun tomson, joe engel, thornton fallander, peter mccabe
The ultimate surfing adventure as Robert August and Michael Hynson travel around the globe in search of the perfect wave.
Iconic surf film by Bruce Brown that led to a significant increase in interest of surfing world wide. THE ENDLESS SUMMER was initially released on 16mm during 1964 receiving world wide acclaim. The film was re-released in 1966 with a new 35mm print and mainstream theatrical release. The film was hugely popular in the USA, Australia and Europe becoming one of the most popular surf films of all time.
Colour art of the cover featuring surfers holding longboards against a setting sun.
Movie Titles
nat young, endless summer, bruce brown, robert august, michael hynson
FIRST LOVE tells the story of three passionate young girls from Phillip Island who aspire to make a career out of surfing. The film stars Jess Laing, Nikki Van Dijk, India Payne. Also appearing Stephanie Gilmore, Coco Ho and Alana Blanchard.
The first feature length Australian surf film which tells the story of a group of young female surfers. The film has screened at a number of major film festivals and won two major awards at the X-Dance Film Festival in 2011.
DVD cover features a colour photograph of the three stars of the film, Jess Laing, Nikki Van Dijk and India Payne.
Rip Curl Logo, film festival logos
first love, jess laing, nikki van dijk, india payne, stephanie gilmore, fran derham, clare plueckhahn, georgia fish, cahill bell-warren, coco ho, alana blanchard, claire gorman
SHRED BETTY was the first surfing magazine in Australia dedicated to female surfers. The magazine features articles and interviews with Layne Beachley, Zane Harrison and colour photographs of key female surfers of the time.
First female surfing magazine in Australia and one of the first in the world. The magazine only ran for three issues but laid the groundwork for future all-female surfing magazines during the first decade of the twenty first century.
Full colour A4 gloss magazine with a feature photograph of Serena Brooke on the cover
Shred Betty, Volume 1, Issue 1 (1998)
layne beachley, shred betty, serena brooke, zane harrison, phil jarratt, the blue group
This photograph shows Louis Whyte from Geelong riding a solid redwood timber surfboard at Lorne Beach in Victoria, Australia. Whyte travelled to Hawaii in 1919 spending 6 months at Waikiki learning how to surf. He purchased 4 solid redwood timber surfboards on the beach at Waikiki and brought them back to Australia. Whyte is the first documented surfer in Victoria.
One of the earliest photographs of a surfer riding a wave in Victoria.
Black and white photograph of Louis Whyte riding a wave at Lorne in 1920 on a solid redwood timber surfboard.
None
louis whyte, lorne, surf,
Black and white photograph of Australian surfer Nat Young with Hawaiian surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku at Bondi Beach. The Duke was guest of honour at the 1963 Australian Surfing Championships which were run from 22-23rd November.
A rare photographs of two surfing legends together. Young was three years away from winning his World Title in San Diego while the Duke played a key role as an Elder to the surfing community world wide during the twilight years of his life.
Black and white photograh of Nat Young and Duke Kahanamoku in 1963 at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
Black and white photograph
nat young, duke kananamoku, 1963 australian surfing championships, bondi beach
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
