About
Woolamai Beach SLSC is a non-profit volunteer organization providing beach patrolling, and rescue services to Cape Woolamai and Smiths Beach on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. We also provide life saving services across Phillip Island.
On Phillip Island, the Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club was established in 1959 as a volunteer surf lifesaving service. The Woolamai club was founded by three life savers from Apollo Bay – Norman Ritchie, Gerry Tanner and Maurice Walsh who wanted a club closer to Melbourne. On the 26th July 1959 a public meeting was held at Cowes to form the club and Mr E E (Ted) Jeffrey, Shire President, was elected as the first president. Over the years Woolamai has been a leader in a number of areas of surf life saving. In 1963, swimming classes for local Phillip Island and San Remo children called the Penguins commenced, with Woolamai being one of the first clubs in Victoria. This movement has grown with all surf clubs and is now known as “The Nippers”. By 1980, Woolamai presented the first Victorian female bronze squad for examination and these girls went on to become the first Victorian female surf life savers.
Our collection
This includes: • At least 15 scrap books, 43 x 54 centimetres and 100 pages each containing press cuttings, photos, magazine articles relating to Woolamai, Cape Woolamai and life saving in general. • There are 20 x 20 litre boxes of club garments containing T shirts, tops, competition and patrol gear dating back to the 1960s. • There are 22 x 50 litre boxes of club records including correspondence, newsletters and annual reports.
