The surf life saving movement in Australia is officially recognised as having begun in 1907, with the formation of a Club at Bondi Beach. Shortly afterwards, the local newspaper in Moruya reported on efforts to establish a Club at Moruya Heads, with Council officials expressing concern as to the care of any life saving equipment which might be provided.
This early effort to establish a Club locally appeared fruitless, for it was on 12 February, 1932 that a Public Meeting was called 'to discuss the formation of a surf life saving club, for the purpose of patrolling at Moruya Heads'.
Those present at that meeting were W.K. Ames, E.J. Tynan, L.R. Firth, C. Finucane, F. Donnelly, K. de Saxe, J. Thomson, G. H. Maclean, F. Chapman, G. Chewying, A.H. Weir, A.W. Constable, E. Cooper, A. Milne, W. Ball and L. Walker.It was unanimously decided to form the Moruya Surf Life Saving Club, and that the proposed Club would commence patrolling as from 1 October, 1932.
The initial office bearers were :
President : A.H. Weir
Secretary / Treasurer : F. H Chapman
Captain : L.R. Firth
Vice Captain : G.H. Maclean
Instructor : J. Thomson
Committee : L. Walker, A. Milne, W. Ball, K. de Saxe, G. Chewying, F. Donnelly
Of those foundation members, A.H. Weir, G.H. Maclean, A.W. Constable, J.N. Hill and G. Chewying, were later to be awarded Life Membership honour, with the latter occupying the position of Club Treasurer from 1946 to 1985, a period of 39 years.
The first President of the Club, A.H. Weir was a local Postmaster and at an Annual and Public Meeting on 23 August, 1932 he stood down from the position to assume the mantle of Secretary / Treasurer, whilst Charles de Saxe (later a Life Member) became the Club's second president.
In the initial stages, the Club did not have any member possessed of 'surf life saving qualifications' and Godfrey Maclean had obtained a copy of the movement's 'Blue Instructional Handbook' and commenced training members. It was not until 31 March, 1935 that an approved Examiner could attend at Moruya and on that date, 11 members attempted the Bronze Medallion examination.
The candidates were : Garnet Chewying, Ernest Cooper, Raymond Corbett, Cliff Donnelly, John (Jack) Emmott, Roland Louttit, Godfrey Maclean, Alf Milne, Raymond Staunton, Reginald Taylor and James Thomson. Messrs Milne and Thompson were unsuccessful, but obtained the award a week later at Mollymook. Of the initial squad, Jack Emmott still lives in retirement at Bodalla.
The Club's first Constitution, prepared by de Saxe, Maclean and Chewying was adopted on 5 November, 1935, the same year that construction of the Club's first club house was commenced. Builders, Messrs Brogan and Rolfe, intimated that they would supervise construction by club members and others, a course of action that has endured to this date; that is, self help.
In 1942, with World War II well under way, the Club was forced into recess; the late Garney Chewying was Secretary and Club Captain, and it was reported that he 'grabbed all club records and account books for safe keeping'.
On 25 November, 1946 the club records surfaced when moves were made to become an active club once again. Charles de Saxe was elected President, the position he held when the club went into recess. Garney Chewying became Treasurer, a position he held until 1985.
At the same meeting a young returned serviceman, Ron Chesher began a distinguished career in surf life saving and service to his fellow man; in 1947 he became Club President, stepping down the following year to become Club Captain.
In 1949, he was again elected President, staying on to complete a total of 26 years at the helm of the Club. He was instrumental in the erection of the Club's second club-house, on the dune in front of the existing building in the fifties.
In 1975 a young Bert Hunt became President and, with two able lieutenants in Colin Chesher and Peter Knight, the present club building became a reality, officially opened in 1978.
Moruya officials lay claim to being instrumental in the admission of female life savers into the movement, lobbying Branch officials in the early eighties, to make representations to the State and National bodies - it took some time, but it did happen.
