Torquay SLSC stalwart Charles Lyne passes away

FORMER Torquay Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) president Charles Lyne passed away on Friday last week. He was 86.

Mr Lyne was a central figure in lifesaving both locally and nationwide. He received life memberships from Torquay SLSC, Life Saving Victoria (LSV) and Surf Life Saving Australia. He would also be recognised with the Order of Australia for his contribution to lifesaving.

Mr Lyne earned his bronze medallion at Torquay SLSC in 1966. A little more than a year afterwards he helped launch Torquay Nippers.

Torquay SLSC president Tiffany Quinlan said this initiative defined Mr Lyne’s strong leadership.

“He was at the forefront of lifesaving. There was a lot of criticism around that (introducing the Nippers program) at the time. People said ‘we don’t need these little kids at the club’ but he could see that it was where we were going to get the next generation from.

“Today we’re nearly at 500 Nippers and if it wasn’t for Charles, we wouldn’t be there.”

Mr Lyne became the club’s president in 1970. He would spend three years in the role, later returning to it for another year in 1978.

During his first stint as president, he would play an instrumental role overseeing the rebuilding of the clubhouse after it burnt down.

He was awarded a life membership from Torquay SLSC in 1981 but would continue to serve the club for decades to come.

Ms Quinlan said she often sought out Mr Lyne for advice during her presidency, and said he was a great presence at the club.

“I’d describe him as one of life’s true gentlemen. Just a gorgeous personality. He was a big, imposing looking fella, but just a big teddy bear.”

Mr Lyne would help LSV in several roles throughout the early and mid-1980s.

In 1987 he then became president of LSV, a role he would hold until 2000.

Ms Quinlan said despite the many demanding roles he filled, Mr Lyne was always happy to offer help. “He had time for everyone. He was just a delightful man and we’re really going to miss him.”