The SLSA Australian 1950 - 1951 premiers : Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club

Date1951

Object number00005845

NamePhotograph

MediumSilver gelatin print, frame

DimensionsOverall: 274 x 327 x 20 mm, 0.9 kg

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from James Dempster

Terms

DescriptionA black and white photograph of the Dee Why Surf Life Saving Club Senior The Rescue and Resuscitation (R and R) Team after winning the SLSA national championship in 1951. The team stands behind a flag inscribed 'The SLSA Aust 1950 - 1951 premiers'. Team comprises of Tom Dalton, Harold Gee, Peter McKenzie, Hugh McKenzie, Hugh MacCallum, Cameron Copland and Joe ThoroughgoodHistoryThe Dee Why Surf Lifesaving Club was founded in 1912 and one of the earliest and most prominent members was George Dempster, grandfather of James Dempster who donated this photograph. The club grew out of a donation of land by the Salvation Army. The charity had come to Australia in 1880 and northern beaches church member Elizabeth Jenkins bequeathed 1740 acres of land from Dee Why to Mona Vale to the movement when she died in 1900. Part of this bequeath included land around Dee Why beach to which the Salvation Army used to organise visits to by poorer people from Sydney's inner suburbs such as Zetland. The surf club arose out of these visits and the 'Salvos' gave land for the club house to be built on in 1918 - 1919. SignificanceThis collection of material from the Dempster family is significant in showing the history of surf lifesaving in Australia in particular its evolvement into a sport as well as a community service.