EARLY HISTORY OF FAIRHAVEN SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB By Keith West, Historian, Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club
Who could have predicted that a beach tragedy in 1937 was to become closely linked to the formation and growth of a successful community organisation in future years? Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club is an integral part of the network of similar community clubs along the Victorian Surf Coast. It was officially formed in 1957, following a lengthy period of community meetings and local consultation, and joined the Australiawide surf life saving movement. The club began beach patrol operations at Fairhaven, and has proudly contributed to the community for more than 60 years. However, there is more to the Fairhaven story. While 1957 is recognised as the year that Fairhaven SLSC started, it is of historical interest to relate an incident that occurred 20 years earlier. In 1937, a tragic event happened at Fairhaven beach that will always remain a significant part of the club’s history. Fairhaven, at that time, was a beautiful, rugged, sparsely populated place on the south-west Victorian coastline. Amy Patterson was a young school teacher at Korowa Church of England Girl’s Grammar School. In the summer of 1937, Amy and some friends rented accommodation at Fairhaven for a holiday weekend. Coastal weather was poor and the sea very rough. However, Amy, who was a fit and competent swimmer, decided to try the surf. In a short time she began to struggle and could not cope with the big seas and strong currents. Amy was swept out beyond the breaking waves and was unable to return to the beach.
distressed Amy to be brought to shore. Tragically, the ordeal was too great, and despite all efforts, Amy Patterson died on the Fairhaven beach. Following Amy’s tragic death, her devastated family and friends purchased a life saving reel and line from the West St Kilda Life Saving The first life savers of Fairhaven. The reel in the shed can be seen Club and placed it in in the dunes behind (1957). a small shed in the Local meetings were held and the dunes at Fairhaven in memory of their decision to form the Fairhaven Surf loved one. Life Saving Club was eventually made The reel and line has been recognised in 1957. as a traditional and iconic item of surf rescue equipment since the early 1900s. Young men who had restored the reel in the shed began training and gained The reel was regarded by Amy their Bronze Medallion. David Carr Patterson’s family as a fitting tribute became the first Club Captain joining and a potential lifesaving aid for beach Michael Devonport, Norman Luff, users in future years. A small iron shed Chris Holland, Russell Hughes and in the Fairhaven dunes hosted the life Euan Pollock as the first active saving reel and line for many years, patrolling members at Fairhaven beach, including the passage of the Second early in 1958. World War and its aftermath. Time, weather and the harsh beach environment took their toll over the years and the reel fell into a state of disrepair. By the mid 1950s, Fairhaven and Aireys Inlet, were small, quiet coastal communities on the Great Ocean Road that were growing in population and as holiday destinations.
The alarm was raised and rescue efforts were mounted. Attempts to save the young teacher from the heavy surf were long and arduous with Mr Marwick and Mr Cowan, from the nearby boarding house ‘Fairhaven’, being involved.
There was significant local interest in the formation of a life saving club. Some beach-loving young men, led by local David Carr, also became interested in surf life saving and starting a club. They restored the dilapidated reel in the shed and returned the family tribute to full working order.
A clothes line and some strong, courageous swimming by Mr Marwick eventually enabled an exhausted and
The life saving ambitions of the Fairhaven - Aireys Inlet community continued to develop.
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From those early beginnings Fairhaven club experienced continual growth and development. Through the ensuing years, beach life saving services, a widely acclaimed nipper program, training of many young lifesavers and a strong social focus continue to be among the many features of a popular and successful volunteer community organisation. The reel in the shed, affectionately known as “The Amy Patterson”, was used by early patrols at Fairhaven and is now, fully restored and proudly displayed in the clubhouse. The story of the early tragedy and reel in the shed should be remembered as an important prelude to the history of the Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club. 25
