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70thBarryMaherSpeech

The 60’s : BARRY MAHER Life Member

Thank you President Justin for the opportunity to reminisce some of the 1960’s.

Paul Johnson Life Member most of you already know was my Best Man at my wedding in 1972 at Tugun to local girl Lesley Goodchap who happens to be Mick Goodchap’s (Goody-Life Member) sister . The ironical family connection to this surf club dates back to the 1955-56 when past members Bill Marsden and Alan Barge got to know Fred Goodchap house builder who volunteered freely of his time to assist renovate the old clubhouse.

Without comparing which era had it tough I thought it appropriate to remember the weekly Friday night trek from northside Brisbane – Enoggera by Tram to the City then hoof it over across the Victoria Bridge to South Brisbane to sell raffle tickets at the Palace Hotel. Now most of you would not be familiar with this area before Expo transformed it into South Bank but I can assure you it was not a place to be on your own late at night. Most of our members were aged under 21 which was the legal age to be in an hotel - we were all Juniors under 18 . When the Black Maria Paddy Wagon pulled up outside the Pub on a regular patrol to load all the inebriated,homeless local patrons we would stand with open mouths in amazement as we were white and very green behind the ears. Furthermore the Bilinga Club was given the opportunity to run a dozen raffles each a “frozen chicken” at two bob (2 shillings) a ticket to patrons who had no way of cooking it up if they won the raffle.

The early 60’s as you know - the Beatles made history - well Bilinga would put on a Saturday night B.B.Q. for all the to come ( after checking with North Kirra surf club first ) and Don McCullagh (Sewerage) would let all the neighbours and motorists know by beating on a drum (rubbish bin lid) to rally up support for the function. We had no band so entertainment was provided by the Beatle Mopheads – Ritchie Spence & Don McCullagh & other members to taped music broadcast over the beach speakers . A lot of glasses were raised but I’m not sure if we raised much in funds for that dream of all dreams to build a new clubhouse .

See back then you have to picture the old clubhouse was sitting where we are now or a little further toward the beach and the rest of this reserve was vacant land and used as a camp ground during school holidays with the main road just there where Golden Four Drive is now and the railway to Coolangatta further over where its now a four lane highway- how things have changed since well before my time.

A little history from 1956 era when a cyclone eroded most of the beach away and the old “old” clubhouse stood in front of where we are today – with the help of locals & members the building was shifted back some 50 feet ( 10 metres ) and Fred Goodchap & Ron Wilson did extensive renovations – worthy community spirit.

Swimming training was at Spring Hill baths 25 metre pool and some very fast times were recorded as it was an indoors. Later years we moved to Langlands Park Pool Stones Corner a 50 M monster open to cold and windy weather. Many a member had to hitch a ride to & from the coast from Mt Gravatt tram terminus so that was part of the culture of joining a surf club – nobody owned a car apart from George (Ned) Kelly a Mini which I’m sure held the record of holding us all stowed away during the coast run.

I could go all afternoon but that gives you an idea of a small part of life at Bilinga SLSC. Before I go however would you put your hands together for Paul Johnson who began the Nipper movement at Bilinga & Pt Danger Branch with the help of the local Walsh family. Thank you all.