Snapshot in Time: Origin story of Geraldton Surf & Lifesaving Club, its early success and internal challenges

In the summer months of 1930, the Geraldton Surf and Lifesaving Club had entered its second season of the State’s surfing carnival, with prospects of outstripping some of the other metropolitan clubs. This swift sense of progress inspired enthusiasm, bringing a surge of new members who joined both the men and women’s divisions. The club itself, which presumably started to form around 1928, would set their general meetings at the Kia Ora Tea-rooms on Marine Terrace (today we know this building as Cafe Fleur and Pollinators). In April of 1930, it was reported that the club faced a challenging period; a growing conviction that change is required in the executive management segment outlined in the constitution, as friction between club delegates began to increase, threatening the welfare of the sport and club spirit. The club was fortunate, however, to attract continuous support from the residents who willingly contributed towards the cost of events, such as the Murray Cup, and prizes. Today, the long-standing club continues its legacy with a broad range of educational programs, operating from nearby Back Beach, in Mahomets Flats.