Vigilance and service Women in surf lifesaving in Australia
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Surf lifesaving was one of the last organisations in Australia to hold out against the women’s movement. Last year, Surf Life Saving New South Wales celebrated 40 years since women were allowed to actively participate in patrols and rescues along the state’s coast, writes Anne Doran.
SINCE THE FIRST VOLUNTEER LIFESAVING CLUBS were formed in 1907, women have been vital members in behind-the-scenes roles such as cleaning, cooking and fundraising. Many wishing for more physical involvement in surf culture eventually found ways to create their own competitions, such as swimming and rescue and resuscitation drills. Women from my former club, Helensburgh Stanwell Park, sought permission to form a distinct Ladies Surf Club in 1956, which was granted on the proviso that no reference be made to lifesaving in the title or in their activities. Women were banned from training for the Bronze Medallion, the passport to actively patrolling beaches. They were considered to be physically incapable of performing rescues, and the idea of female lifesavers went against the perception of an army of well-drilled, physically fit men keeping the beaches safe. There also was concern that female members would disrupt the status quo and the close bonds of mateship within the clubs.
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Signals 134 Autumn 2021
