The women who marched anyway: trailblazing team celebrate 50 years

THEY were the heartbeat of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club and though they could not compete, these women still chose to march.

The Women’s Auxiliary of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) worked tirelessly supporting the men of the club through the 1960s and 70s.

They organised events, hosted other competing teams and were the best caterers on the coast.

Not allowed to be formal members – and certainly not allowed to compete in any SLS competitions – they were not about to miss out on the fun.

Noela McKenzie was among the original members of Torquay SLSC’s unofficial women’s march past team – a 12-person ceremonial surf lifesaving event involving choreographed, military-style drills with traditional rescue gear. The team formed 50 years ago.

“We decided we’d have a march past team; the boys could have one,” McKenzie said.

“It wasn’t official, so we’d go down a couple of times a week after work or school, we’d all get in our cars – funny little cars we had – and we’d go down to the beach and practise.

“How could you not have a good time? It was a fun time.”

It was an act before its time, but soon enough women were allowed to formally join the club and eventually began competition in the 1982-83 season.

Today, McKenzie believes it is still women who uphold clubs, both behind the scenes and in competition.

What has not changed, she said, is the sense of community. For as long as the club has existed, it has relied on tireless volunteers and fundraising to keep it going.

She remembers the efforts that went into rebuilding the club after fire tore through it.

It is all part of the story of a club that has served Torquay for nearly eight decades.

Just eight of the original marching ladies are still alive, but together they were proud to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of their forming and the continued legacy of the Torquay SLSC.