CLUB 'FIRSTS' -

 

 

THE FIRST BRONZE TEAM - Frank Porter (replacing Bill Fitch who was called up for National Service in the Army), David Presgrave, Dennis Conlin, John 'Tex' Kamprod, Barry Presgrave and Reg Hartshorne shown here with the Mayor of Henley and Grange (Don Newlands) and their instructor, Max Gamlin. On the day following their successful exam they all formed the first beach patrol of West Beach members.

Saturday March 2 1957.

 

THE FIRST BRONZE TEAM WITH LESS THAN THE FULL SIX CANDIDATES - Barry Maloney pestered me to put this in - honest! The first Bronze team with less than 6 members was actually the second team to be presented for assessment by the club. It consisted of Bill Fitch (whom the army had let out for the weekend), Dennis (Bull) Galpin, Mike Rainsford (who left on a slow boat to Sweden or somewhere before the awards were presented and actually got his from the Aussie Consul in some far off land), Dean Bradshaw and Dick Hammer. All I remember about the exam was that I was the one who had to lift Bull Galpin.

 

THE FIRST BEACH PATROL -  by qualified club members was on Sunday March 3 1957, the day after the first bronze team, shown above, passed their exam.

 

THE FIRST QUALIFYING CERTIFICATE TEAM - passed their exam on 9 March, 1957. They were David Ireland, Peter Craig, Brian Hartshorne, Barry Maloney and Ross Walker.

If there was any doubt about the value of 'the kids' to the club they would be dispelled by checking the 'CLUB CHAMPIONS' page for these names.

 

THE FIRST MEETINGS OF THE CLUB - The inaugural meeting was held at Joe Evetett's home and after the club was 'formed' the meetings were held in Quinn's shop on West Beach (functioning as a Mexican Take Away in 2005) until the shed was erected.

 

THE FIRST COMMITTEE - for the formation of the club were Messers G Footner, G Perry, A H Bean, W Maloney and E Quinn.

 

THE FIRST CHAIRMAN - Don Newlands, Mayor of Henley and Grange called the meeting which formed the inaugural committee.

 

THE FIRST PRESIDENT - Joe Everret was appointed by the inaugural committee and Jim Fisher was later elected as President for the formation of the club but on 26 May he became the club's FIRST RESIGNATION due to ill health to be followed by Mel Cameron, a prominent local resident and announcer on radio station 5DN.

 

THE FIRST ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT - Graham Footner.

 

THE FIRST SECRETARY - Mr D Thomas took the minutes at the inaugural meeting and Arnold Bean was nominated as the secretary for the formation of the club.  Barry Presgrave was the first elected secretary.

 

THE FIRST ASSISTANT SECRETARY - Dean Bradshaw.

 

THE FIRST TREASURER - Mr Bernie Fahey was the Treasurer nominated for the formation of the club and Jim Woods was the first elected treasurer from January 1957.

 

THE FIRST DONATION - made by the News Limited (the evening paper of the time) was for the sum of 100 pounds to go towards the purchase and erection of a club shed on West Beach.

 

THE FIRST CAPTAIN - Max Gamlin was nominated as the Foundation Captain by Don Newland, the Mayor of Henley and Grange and Frank Porter was the first elected Captain.

 

THE FIRST VICE CAPTAIN - Dennis Conlin.

 

THE FIRST JUNIOR CAPTAIN - David Presgrave.

 

THE FIRST CHIEF INSTRUCTOR - Max Gamlin was nominated as the Foundation Chief Instructor, confirmed by later election after the formation of the Club.

 

THE FIRST ASSISTANT CHIEF INSTRUCTOR - Bob Warhurst.

 

THE FIRST INSTRUCTORS - Max Gamlin (from Henley), Ian Tothill (from Glenelg) and Bob Warhurst. The first club members trained as Instructors were . . . . .

 

THE FIRST SWIMMING INSTRUCTOR AND TRAINER - Gordon Romain.

 

THE FIRST MEMBER TO STAND UP ON A BOARD - Barry Maloney. (Did you know that he carried a little pile of seaweed on his board as a head rest when he was trying to do head stands? Did he ever succeed?)

 

THE FIRST BOAT CREW -

at the launching of the 'W Maloney' - Dennis Conlin (sweep), Dean Bradshaw (stroke), David   Ireland (second stroke), Barry Maloney (second bow), Reg Hartshorne (bow).

the first competing 'A' crew - Fred Green (sweep and coach), Dennis Conlin (stroke), Bull Galpin (second stroke), Dean Bradshaw (second bow), Graham Hallendal (bow).

the first competitive Junior crew - Fred Green (sweep), Barry Maloney (stroke), David Ireland (second stroke), Bill Hoyle (second bow) and Peter Craig (bow).

the first competitive 'B' crew - undefeated at Carnivals in 19?? (See the Photos page.) - Barry Maloney (sweep), Dean Bradshaw (stroke), Robin  Stevens (second stroke), Reg Hartshorne (second bow), Kenny Baker (bow).

 

THE FIRST BOAT CAPTAIN - Reg Hartshorne.

 

THE FIRST GEAR STEWARD - Cec Ireland.

 

THE FIRST CLUB HANDICAPPER - Jim Woods.

 

THE FIRST DELEGATES TO STATE CENTRE - Frank Porter (Captain) and Barry Presgrave (Secretary).

 

THE FIRST MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - Bill Maloney, Clive Perry, Gordon Romain and Tom Williams.

 

THE FIRST PUBLICITY OFFICER - Joe Everett.

 

THE FIRST MEDICAL OFFICER - Dr B Gillam.

 

THE FIRST AUDITOR - R Hand.

 

THE FIRST WOMENS AUXILLARY MEETING - was on March 4 1957. Officers were; Nancy Fisher (wife of Jim Fisher, club President for a brief time), President, Mrs Everett Vice President, Jill Porter Seretary and Shirley Weinert Treasurer.

They were responsible for the following 'firsts' -

 - - - These ladies didn't let the grass grow under their feet and raised many pounds, shillings and pence for the club.

 

THE FIRST MOST IMPROVED MEMBERS - Dennis Galpin, Senior; Richard (Dick) Hammer, Juniors and Barry Maloney, Cadet.

 

THE FIRST AGGREGATE WEEKLY SWIM TIME WINNERS- Barry Presgrave (Seniors), John (Tex) Kamprod (Juniors) and Peter Craig (Cadet).

 

THE FIRST WATER POLO TEAM - Barry and David Presgrave, Bill Fitch, Dennis Conlin, John Kamprod, Barry Maloney, Dick Hammer, David Ireland.

 

THE FIRST INTERCLUB FOOTBALL MATCHES - were against Glenelg and Henley Beach during the off season in 1958.

 

THE FIRST EVENT WINNER(S) AT ANY CARNIVAL - . . . . . . . ?

 

THE FIRST STATE CHAMPION TEAMS FROM THE CLUB - (in the order that the events were held on the 22 February, 1959) - March Past, Junior R & R, Junior Boat, Cadet Relay.

 

THE FIRST STATE CHAMPION INDIVIDUALS FROM THE CLUB - (also on February 22, 1958) - Wayne Mitchell, (Beach Sprint), Brian Hartshorne, (Junior Surf Ski).

 

THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN CHAMPION FROM THE CLUB - Geoff Ellis, Pillow Fight.

 

THE FIRST 'AWAY' CARNIVAL CONDUCTED BY WEST BEACH - Boomer Beach, 1960.

 

THE FIRST JUNIOR R&R TEAM.

Bill van Bronswijk, David Ireland, Peter Craig, Bill Hoyle, Brian Hartshorne, Barry Maloney.

Bob Warhurst is almost hidden behind Peter Craig.
 

 

 

Do you know of any other 'firsts' that we can record? Get in touch with us through the 'Contact us' button on the first page.