Wye River SLSC celebrates its 60th

SIXTY years ago last month, five men came together and trained for their bronze medallion award and the Wye River Surf Life Saving Club was born.

On February 17, four of those five men and 175 past and present members came together to celebrate the club’s significant anniversary.

The celebration had something for everyone, including a lifesaving march past that included representatives from across the decades, a mock rescue from the Life Saving Victoria helicopter and rescue boat driving of great skill in the large surf.

There was even a real-life rescue, which came about after two swimmers were washed from the nearby rocks.

“This was a significant event in the history of this surf club,” Wye River SLSLC president Martin McIntosh said.

“There have been some difficult times recently for this community post-bushfire, and days like today really help the club and broader community move forward.”

Highlights from the evening dinner function were anecdotes shared by larger than life characters and club legends who shared tall tales about their days leading the fledgling club.

“It is through the hard work of men and women such as these that the club has been able to flourish and continue to ensure the beach remains a safe place for thousands of beachgoers to swim each summer,” Mr McIntosh said.