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Material relating to Joseph Palmer

Date1914 - 1968

Object numberANMS0550

NameArchive series

MediumPaper

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Marjorie Graham

Terms

DescriptionThis archive series numbered [001] - [014] consists of material relating to Joseph Palmer, a prominent member of the Newcastle Surf Club and Life Saving Brigade. It includes a booklet from the Newcastle Surf Life Saving Club; two letters to Joseph Palmer from boatbuilders George and Norman Towns; five newspaper clippings from the Newcastle Sun; four from the Newcastle Morning Herald; one from the Newcastle Herald and Miners Advocate; and one from the Daily Telegraph Pictorial.HistoryJoseph Palmer (1893 - 1964) was a prominent member of the Newcastle Surf Life Saving Brigade and led the team when they won the NSW championship in 1922. Joseph was an avid surfer and may have met the famous Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku during his Australian tour in 1915. He kept a postcard of "The Duke" and greatly admired the man who won three world records at the Stockholm olympics in 1912. Joe Palmer was instrumental in introducing surf lifesaving to Newcastle in 1908 and was credited with introducing the coloured march past costume to the world's beaches in the mid - 1920s. Joe also introduced the beach girl contest to carnivals as an added attraction. Joe served in France during World War I and was made a life member of Newcastle Surf Lifesaving Club in 1927. After World War I Joe instigated the reformation of Newcastle Rugby Union and in 1924, with a small group of men reformed the code. Joe is responsible for the present lifesaving premises on Newcastle beach and was most energetic in raising one thousand pounds towards its final cost of three thousand pounds. It replaced the old shed which was used until 1926. He held every position (except president) in the Newcastle surf club and was a life member of Newcastle rugby union.SignificanceThis collection of material is significant in documenting the Australian surf life saving movement in the 1920s and 1930s.