Milburn joins SLSA Hall of Fame

A FIRST for Torquay and a first for Victoria, one of Torquay SLSC’s own, Peter Milburn, has been selected by the directors of Surf Life Saving Australia in Sydney, for the Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) Hall of Fame.

“It is a great honour, and I am very humbled to be given the selection in the Hall of Fame,” Milburn said.

“Torquay SLSC has taught me some great life lessons and it’s been an integral part of moulding who I am today and this selection.”

Milburn started as a cadet member at 13 years of age in Torquay, his hometown club, where as a patrol captain, Tony Fraser’s team went on to win three club patrol competitions. A record that still stands today in 2022.

In Surf Life Saving competition at the National Championships Milburn won 11 gold medals, six silver and six bronze competing against 300 clubs nationally.

His first medal, competing as a junior, was a bronze medal bought home from the Aussie Championship’s Junior Iron Man race at Ocean Grove in 1970.

Milburn specialised in the craft arena for the next 15 years, where he travelled state-to-state and then of course to national competition.

The accolade column is extensive with Milburn responsible for bringing 66 individual gold medals at Australian Championship level and 11 Victorian State Titles to Torquay.

Milburn no longer lives in Torquay due to work obligations travelling across the country in several roles at Surf Live Saving Australia located in South Australia and New South Wales.

However, the current Torquay member still manages to get down to his original place of residence at least two times a year to visit the club, but also to revisit his lifelong friends.

“It’s a wonderful place, I love getting down to it and there are a number of memories there that I cherish,” Milburn added.

“Among my favourite memories at Torquay SLSC, I would have to say surfing in my early days ranks up there, remembering some of the big waves there, as well as some of the characters you’d meet.”

The Surf Life Saving Australia Hall of Fame commemorates and recognises members and teams who have achieved outstanding accomplishments and exceptional contributions to the development of surf lifesaving.

“The contribution you have made to surf lifesaving has been outstanding and your achievements and dedication remain highly valued by the organisation.

The honour of being inducted into the SLSA Hall of Fame is justly deserved,” a SLSA statement said.