by Elizabeth Taggart-Speers

The lifesaving club movement in Australia arose from Australia’s strong beach culture. As beach activities grew in popularity, the dangers of the surf also became apparent. Small groups of surfers began to form lifesaving bodies to assist those who required rescuing. As these clubs grew in size, so too did the need for a united effort to raise funds. The New South Wales Surf Bathing Association was first formed in 1907.