Newport's Centenary is closer than we first thought!
It has been discovered recently that Newport SLSC was formed in 1909 and not 1911 as first thought. This came to light in a recently published book Bathing, Drowning and Lifesaving in Manly, Warringah and Pittwater by Shelagh and George Champion.
This book detailed correspondence between the Club and Warringah Shire Council, as noted in Council minutes dating back to 1909.
George and Shelagh Champion also scanned old newspaper articles at the Mitchell Library one from the Daily Telegraph noting that "The surf club at Newport was firmly established by December 1909. Mr E Trevor Jones presided at a meeting at which some important business was transacted. The question of the erection of dressing sheds was discussed at length, it being decided to erect a woman's enclosure as an addition. [Newport was the first club to have female members] Authority was given for the purchase of life saving appliances.
Mr Leighton Scott was elected caption and Mr W Boulton vice caption for the ensuing year. Councillors Quirk and Powell attended the meeting and received requests for further aid. With a view to ensure as much as possible the safety of bathers a life saving class was to be formed to do duty during bathing hours.
As Newport was a private beach owned by a Mr Farrell the club patrolled the beach from a club house across Barrenjoey Rd [then just a sandy track] near Neptune Street. Because it was so far from the beach it was named La Solitaire. After the beach was resumed by council in 1912 and renamed Newport Beach the club continued to be housed at La Solitaire until the Council built our second club house in 1915.
The club has gone on to win many titles and awards including best club in the Sydney Northern beaches Branch 2007.
The club is only 2 years younger than Bondi SLSC and two years older than Manly Life Saving Club. Newport also boasts the second highest membership in the Sydney Northern Beaches and has the potential to have a very competitive team on the beach in the coming season in particular from our Nippers and juniors.
Newport was also one of the crews competing in the very first surf boat race, in one of five boats donated to Freshwater, Dee Why,Collaroy Narrabeen Beach [now Nth Narrabeen] and Newport Clubs in 1915 by Warringah Shire Council.
Newport's third club house built in 1935 is currently being renovated and extended to house our growing membership.
The club is also appealing to past and current members or members of the public to join our Centurions club to help with financing a soon to be published "History of Newport Surf Life Saving Club" and the 100th year celebrations in 2009.
The centurions will be asked to donate $100 per year for 5 years.
For information contact Ian Storey on 99189498.
If any past members or members of the public have any photos or anecdotes pertaining to the history of Newport Surf Life Saving Club would you please contact Col Maclean on 99975959 or email here. Some we have to date can be viewed here...