Plaque which honours passionate surfer and environmentalist Tony Harrison unveiled at Middleton Beach reef

A new sign which details tribal law — the rules of the waves — at Middleton Beach also honours Tony Harrison, a driving force behind the new surf reef and a passionate surfer and environmentalist. The sign was unveiled by Mr Harrison, Albany Mayor Greg Stocks, and Granny Grommets Bev Voss and Margaret White at a ceremony near the boardwalk to the surf reef on Friday, August 29. It details the etiquette surfers should follow and has a dedication to Mr Harrison and also to the Middleton Beach Group which donated funds for its purchase when the group disbanded. Mr Harrison was a driving force behind the new surf reef and also a founder of the Granny Grommets, the over-50s women’s group which meets every Friday for surfing and socialising. Mr Harrison said he was delighted with the new plaque which was in an ideal spot. “Thanks for putting it where we wanted it, well almost where we wanted it,” he said. “There are two spots left now, one for me and one for Jodie Cooper.” Cooper is a champion surfer from Albany who reached No.2 in the world rankings and won 13 international titles. Mr Harrison said previous signs from beaches around the coast had been stolen but hoped this would stand the test of time, bedded in with 30 bags of cement. The Grommets started in 1999 and now have 98 members. Grommet Sandra Shakespeare said Mr Harrison was a welcome honorary member of the group. “He helped set us up as a reason for older women not to feel they’re too old to do something energetic and exciting,” she said. “He has given his all to youth and older folk to know the great joy of surfing and the sea.”