A Brief History of Bridport

Bridport is a picturesque, seaside town on the north east coast of Tasmania which originally evolved as a port for the early timber, agricultural and (tin) mining industries and soon after became a favourite place for family holidays. One of Tasmania’s unique sea ports, Bridport is located on the North East Coast of Tasmania. Only 50 minutes drive from Launceston and central location for  day trips to the gemfields, the Trail of the Tin Dragon, the Mountain Bike Rail Trail and other tracks, walking, fishing, 4WD tracks and other great land based activities.

Today the village and wharf retain their original seaport atmosphere complete with working fishing boats. The Matthew Flinders ferry, provides a regular service from Bridport to Flinders Island and Melbourne.

With over 10 km of popular swimming beaches, each summer the town swells from a resident population of 1350 to over 6500 in seasonal semi-permanent residents (shack owners), day trippers and tourists.

 

History of Bridport SLSC

Life saving in the early days of Bridport

During the 1930’s life saving classes were run by Brian Mattingley in Bridport. Training was held at various places including the river channel and at Mattingley’s Beach. David Mattingley was about 9 years old at the time and can remember his older brother, Brian,  starting the classes in 1933. The drowning death of Angela’s Moases’ brother, David Roberts and Ian Wardlaw, in1935 had an awful, eerie coincidence when Angela’s son, also named David was taken and drowned by a freak wave (since listed as a Tsunami in scientific reports) in 1953.

Local historian, Jeff Jennings spoke to David Mattingley, Brian’s brother, (Nov 2012), and confirmed that the classes started a year or so before the 1935 drownings. Angela’s daughter and her family became foundation sponsors of the revitalised club 77 years later.  The original 1930’s Life Saving Club at Bridport thrived for a number of years, before disbanding.  More information will be added to this site once Jeff Jennings is able to assist further.

Season Summaries

See the original Steering Committee, and Committees since

 

A new beginning:  2009

During 2009 Scottsdale High School was fortunate to have a teacher, Sean McCarthy, on staff. Sean had been involved in Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club in Southern Tasmania and, during the year, he ascertained a keen interest by a number of the students to do their Surf Life Saving qualifications. As the year passed and the students completed their training, the word spread and a number of other families expressed a keen interest in developing a club at the nearby seaside town of Bridport where a number of these students lived.

Season 2009/2010

Sadly 2010 saw McCarthy’s job take him back to Hobart just as the concept of a club was gathering momentum, but he left a Steering Committee in charge of the project, and three “Come and Try Surf Life Saving Days” were planned and run over the summer.  This saw a fantastic participation of up to an estimated 120 young people and adults, and many more families attending as spectators on each of the days.  Attendance included a balance of locals and non-permanent residents including shack owners, caravan park users, as well as short-stay visitors and other people happy to travel the from out of town or Launceston to attend each session. The wonderful response to the “try” days indicated a strong potential for a club with a good initial membership to be developed in Bridport and the surrounding communities. The Club’s first Club Championships were run at the end of 2009, however the club operated under the banner of Surf Life Saving Tasmania, as it was not incorporated until the following year.

 

Season 2010/2011

In January 2010, Geoff Lyons, President of the Launceston Surf Life Saving Club contacted the Steering Committee enthusiastically offering the Launceston Club’s  support to nurture a satellite club at Bridport.  The support from the Launceston SLSC and loan of equipment provided a wonderful kick-start to the fledgling Bridport club,

The Steering Committee received fantastic support from local businesses people drove each week from Launceston, 1 hours drive away to support the club. The Bridport Sailing Club loaned their unused storage area at Croquet Lawn Beach during 2009/2010 as a first aid and equipment storage area in the club’s first year and a possible partnership at Croquet Lawn was discussed. Unfortunately the beach at Croquet Lawn was not big enough to run large scale events or Nippers Training and the cove did not provide a good lookout view of the entire bay. Additionally, the size of the car parking area that would be required once the club grew was problematic in regards to access and coexistence with the caravan park and local beach goers.

During the 2010 the Bridport Surf Life Saving Club was officially founded with overwhelming the support of the local community and businesses as well as the State Labour government and Dorset Council entering some preliminary discussions.

The Steering Committee had a constitution and the club became incorporated on the 6^th July 2010.

By the end of season 2010/11, the club had 137 financial members including 91 Juniors & 46 members over 15yrs; had attended 3 major rescues; 15 preventative actions; and 10 First Aid incidents – all  while on only modified patrol hours. The club was demonstrating an excellent and growing capacity and was heralded as the best first year club set up that Surf Life Saving Tasmania had ever witnessed.

The club had 19 Bronze Medallion and SRC members in its first official year, and had an increased capacity to respond to major incidents, as gradually equipment and resources were sourced. The original first aid, oxygen, defibrillator and rescue equipment provided by the Tasmanian Community Fund and Rio Tinto Alcan, and the IRB provided by the Rotary Club of Scottsdale with a motor loaned by Launceston SLSC.

Unfortunately the club was unsuccessful in securing a State government, Sport & Rec Grant for a gear trailer to store and transport equipment, as the club had no storage facility. During the season however, the State’s Labor government, in recognition of the difference a facility could make to the north east, pledged $150,000 to build stage 1 of a Clubhouse and storage facility for Bridport SLSC.

 

Our Volunteers

There is no doubt that the huge success that Bridport Surf Life Saving Club experienced in its first official operational season since being resurrected is due to the massive enthusiasm and motivation the club raised in its Committee and Volunteers.  There is also no doubt that without the fantastic support the club received from Sponsors the club would not have had time to raise the funds necessary to provide the service it was able to provide in Season 2010/2011.  Note that the service operated on Saturdays for Nippers and Tuesday evenings for Swim the Pier.

 

From 2011 onwards see the Season Summaries below. Only major club developments will be logged in addition on this page. For details of the club’s accomplishments click here to go to BPSLSC’s yearly Annual Reports.

 

Season Summary: 2010/2011

Season 2010/11

Financial Members (total)	Juniors Nippers 5yrs>14yrs	Adults 15yrs+		Silver Medallion	Bronze Medallion Patrolling		Surf Rescue Certificate	Award Members Eg: first aid Comm’ns	Volunteers (non- Patrol)	Rescues & Incidents	Club Champs
137	91	46		7   IRB0   Beach	29		11	2	14	3 Rescues* First Aid* Incident	49 entries
Rescue Overview			Details still to be logged.
Nippers Instructors & Assistants			Every single one of the 29 Patrolling Member instructed Nippers this year, attending even when it wasn’t their patrol.  Many parents stepped up to assist with the activities, BBQ or Admin.  At least 10 were regulars.
Courses Run* or Attended			Bronze Medallion Course:L1 Coaches Course:L2 Coaches Course:Silver Medallion:			29nilnilPaul Hawkins, Brett Williams, Danny Crichton, Andrew Wallis, Nathan Karas, Jayson Tawes, Amanda MayesAlready Qualified:  Geoff Lyons
Trainers & Assessors			Bronze Medallion Trainers: Andrew Wallis, Anne Maree Coombe,  Amanda Mayes,  Paul Hawkins
Patrolling Members			BRONZE:Shane Wooden, Geoff Lyons, Brett Williams, Jaculyn Williams Paul Hawkins, Kath Hawkins, Greg Presland, Danny Crichton, Michelle Crichton, Amanda Mayes, Andrew Wallis, Anne Maree Coombe, Rebecca Blundstone, Toby Cruickshank, Tom Laverack, Sally Morgan, Geoff Howell, Sean Vinar, Nathan Karas, Anita Street, Jason Street, Brian Grant, Michele Grant, Khyle Stewart, Josh Barnett, Tameka Painting, Jayson Taws, Matt Presland, Victoria Moore.BRONZE TRAINEE:Jobi Harper, Tayela Petterwood, Jade Petterwood (SRC).SRC: TBC
Committee			See Committees Link
Annual Reports & Season Achievements			Link to Annual Reports PDF’s ( including Season Achievements)

Season Summary: 2011/12

Financial Members (total)	Juniors Nippers 5yrs>14yrs	Adults 15yrs+		Silver Medallion	Bronze Medallion Patrolling	Surf Rescue Certificate	Award Members Eg: first aid Comm’ns	Volunteers (non- Patrol)	Rescues & Incidents	Club Champs
114	75	39		6	25	2	1	10	9 RescuesFirst Aid5 Incidents	61
Rescue Overview			Club members also attended to a broad range of events over the summer which saw us utilising our skills; including 9 water rescues including dehydrated exhausted kayaker, children blown out to sea, 5 swimmers in difficulty and treatment of a number of injuries over the season including CPR & Resuscitation of a school student, from a visiting high school, who had a heart (heart attack, no heart beat) on the beach with life support provided until the Ambulance arrived. Student has made a full recovery. Great effort by one of our youngest Bronzies! A snake bite in the Caravan Park in conjunction with an off duty paramedic until Ambulance support arrived, dislocated shoulder broken Femur (senior citizen snapped femur at the hip replacement join site, on isolated Adams Beach and evacuated by IRB to waiting Ambulance, elderly lady with a broken wrist along with the general less serious injuries, cuts sprains and strains. A number of extra patrols were also performed for a number of schools, the Edmund Rice Foundation (a camp for a wonderful group of disadvantaged young people), Scouts Jamboree, Fewcha (Dorset Youth Advisory Group), and the Bridport Splash which saw nearly 3000 people on the beach on Australia Day.
Nippers Instructors & Assistants			Most of our Patrolling Member instructed or helped out at Nippers this year, with some attending every week.  We had only 2 semi-regular volunteers (around work commitments) this year, as many of last year’s volunteers had upgraded to become Bronzies.
Courses Run* or Attended			Bronze Medallion Course:  XXL1 Coaches Course:              3 – Paul Hawkins, Kath Hawkins, Geoff HowellL2 Coaches Course:              1 – Paul HawkinsSilver Medallion:                   9 –
Trainers & Assessors			Bronze Medallion Trainers: Andrew Wallis, Anne Maree Coombe,  Amanda Mayes,  Paul Hawkins
Patrolling Members			BRONZE:Paul Hawkins, Kath Hawkins, Geoff Lyons, Brett Williams, Jaculyn Williams, Greg Presland, Danny Crichton, Amanda Mayes, Andrew Wallis, Anne Maree Coombe, Toby Cruickshank, Sally Morgan, Geoff Howell, Anita Street, Jason Street, Brian Grant, Michele Grant, Khyle Stewart, Josh Barnett, Tameka Painting, Jayson Taws, Matt Presland, Tayela Petterwood,New BRONZE Patrolling:  Ross Smith, Peter Caldwell, Richard Von Steglitz, Peter Barron, Matt Ranson, Dave Moir, David Lietzau, Amanda Carlile,Emily Green, Brad Coulson, Russell Hibbs,Alana Barnett, James Fell,   New SRC:   Jade Petterwood, Janie Boyd,BRONZE TRAINEE:Jade Petterwood (SRC).SRC: TBC
Committee			See Committees Link
Annual Reports & Season Achievements			Link to Annual Reports PDF’s ( including Season Achievements)

Season summary 2012/2013

Financial Members (total)	Juniors Nippers 5yrs>12yr	Cadets 13-15yrs		Adults 15yrs+	Volunteers non-patrol	Silver Medallion	Bronze Medallion Patrolling	Surf Rescue Certificate	Award Members Eg:1st Aid Communication	Rescues & Incidents
145	75	8		41	11	6	31	5	9	9 RescuesFirst Aid   5 Incidents
Rescue Overview			Rescues / Incidents included: A resuscitation of a young child by an off duty patrol member, lady injured by a tent-pole, a Board rescue – 200mtrs out, 3 rescues on one very windy day of children blow out to sea on inflatable’s by off-duty member and son,  a number of swimmers in difficulty were assisted during events, treatment of  3 separate stinger bites over summer. The club also assisted Dorset Council to do an awareness raising campaign around treatment for Stingers. Regional Rescue Service Deployment was deployed as follows: 10 July 2012: Bridport SLSC Off Shore Rescue Service deployed by Tasmania Police when two recreational fishermen got into difficulty off East Sandy Cape. The fisherman called for help, when their 14ft fibreglass boat suffered mechanical problems, as they were concerned that they were being blown further out to sea, and the wind had changed direction unfavourably..  24 November 2012 Bridport Jet Rescue Boat crew rescued and towed a 5.2m recreational fishing vessel to safety during an evening training patrol. The fishing vessel ran out of fuel and the crew member was found attempting to walk the craft back along the beach to Bridport in Andersons Bay. After the boat and crew were returned safely to Bridport the Jetboat returned to Anderson Bay to pick up the skipper of the vessel who had left some hours before to get help, he was picked up 1km east of the river. All personnel were unharmed and returned safely to shore. Other: The Bridport SPLASH was run the same day at the Bridport Gold Multi-Sport Event with inclement weather affecting participation. 29 October to 04 November 2012: Members of Bridport SLSC represented SLST to provide support for the filming of the US reality adventure TV Show “72 Hours” which was filmed on Flinders Island18th and 19th May, 2013: Around a dozen Bridport SLSC Life Savers attended the Marine Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) will be conducted in the Coles Bay/Swansea areas  with other SLSC and VRM groups, in conjunction with Tasmania Police.  The Club’s Official Photographer, Janie Boyd’s photos of our Life Savers in action, featured in a Country Song by the band O’Shea called “Thank You Angels” which entered the Australian Country Charts and debuted at #24 climbing to #3 behind Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. The Club launched a new website at www.bridportslsc.org.au which superseded the old website.
Nippers Instructors & Assistants			Most of our Patrolling Member instructed or helped out at Nippers this year, with some attending every week.   A number of volunteers are stepping into more operational roles
Courses   Attendedby members			Bronze Medallion CourseTrainers Course: Cert IV Trainer/Assessor Upgrade Course: Silver Medallion: Surf Coach Surf Officials Advanced Resus:

Committee			See Committees Link
Annual Reports & Season Achievements			Link to Annual Reports PDF’s ( including Season Achievements)

Committees

Original Steering Committee (Pre AGM)

Shane Wooden (Chair), Tammy Butt, Missy Thompson, Kath Hawkins, Paul Hawkins, Brett Williams, Jaculyn Williams, Greg Presland, Julie Presland.The first Steering Committee had only two nominal positions:Secretary:    Greg PreslandTreasurer:    Missy ThompsonWe also recognise valuable early input from:  Mike & Susan Tyson, Theresa Scott, Arie Van Asch (Bridport Sailing Club) Geoff Lyons (Launceston SLSC & MP) & the original convener of the Steering Committee, Sean McCarthy (Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club).

 

BPSLSC Committee 2010/11

President: Geoff LyonsDeputy President: Paul HawkinsDeputy President: Greg Presland (then Andrew Wallis)Secretary: Tammy Butt* (then Greg Presland)Treasurer: Michele Crichton*(then Michele Grant)*=Resigned position during year.

General Committee Members:Shane Wooden,Kath Hawkins,Danny Crichton,Michelle Crichton,Tammy Butt,Jaculyn Williams, Brett Williams, Matt Presland, Anne-Maree Coombe, Andrew Wallis.

 

BPSLSC Committee 2011/12

President: Geoff LyonsDeputy President: Paul HawkinsDeputy President:Andrew WallisSecretary: Greg Presland Treasurer: Michele Grant *Resigned during the year, or lapsed** attendance.

General Committee Members:Kath Hawkins, Danny Crichton, Jayson Taws,Michelle Crichton, Brett Williams,Jaculyn Williams, Nathan Karas*, Anne Mare Coombe, Amanda Mayes, Khyle Stewart, Tameka Edgerton, Sally Morgan, Geoff Howell, Jason Street, Anita Street,  Victoria Moore*, Chris McFadzeon**, Janet Wooden.

 

BPSLSC Committee 2012/13

President: Geoff LyonsDeputy President: Paul HawkinsDeputy President:Brett WilliamsSecretary: Janet Wooden Treasurer: Michele Grant

General Committee Members:Kath Hawkins, Greg Presland, Anne Mare Coombe, Amanda Mayes, Danny Crichton, Jayson Taws,  Brett Williams, Jaculyn Williams, Tameka Edgerton, Sally Morgan, Geoff Howell, Jason Street, Anita Street,  Janie Boyd, Russell Hibbs, Paul Smith, Brian Grant.

 

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Media [ newest to oldest]

 

ARTICLE: 1953

Tsunami Drowning in Bridport, 1953

BOY SWEPT TO DEATH BY FREAK WAVE AT BRIDPORT

Article from the Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 – 1954) Monday 16 November 1953 p 1 Article

NINE-YEAR-OLD David Moase was drowned when a huge freak wave engulfed three children playing on the sand at Mattingleys Beach, Bridport, on Saturday afternoon.

The boy’s uncle, David Roberts, was the same age when drowned near the same spot 20 years ago. David was named after him. The other two children had narrow escapes. The elder scrambled from the foamy water and the second was rescued by his fully clad father. The child drowned was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey Moase, of Bridport.

He was unconscious when taken from the water and failed to respond to artificial respiration. The wave, estimated to be eight feet high, formed without any warning and instantly engulfed the three children.

Martin Anstee (10), Launceston, was near his mother, Mrs. Kathleen Anstee, when the wave struck. He was washed out to sea but man- aged to scramble on to some rocks. Swept Out David Moase and Randall Trethewie (5), son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Roy Trethewie, Blessington, were swept out to sea in a few minutes. Brought to the beach by the screams of his wife and Mrs. Anstee, Mr. Trethewie dashed in to the water. He reached both boys but David threw his arms around his head and Mr. Trethewie had to push him away. Mr. Trethewie grabbed the other boy and had brought him ashore before he discovered he was his son. He was unconscious but responded to artificial respiration.

Just at this time Messrs. E. Bennett (Bridport) and A. J. Wilson (Launceston) arrived at the beach. They brought David ashore. He was unconscious and failed to respond to treatment. He was rushed to the Scottsdale Hospital by Mr. Bennett and placed in a respirator, but failed to respond.

About a year ago Mr. Bennett saved a boy from drowning when he got into difficulties in the Brid River. Mr. Moase, a chemist, has just taken a position at the Royal Hobart Hospital. The family was to have moved to Hobart in a few days.

Freak Wave

Bridport fishermen gave a vivid description of the freak wave. It appeared at the mouth of the Brid River about 4.30p.m. with a load roar and travelled at a speed of 10 m.p.h. It took a zig-zag course up the river as it hit first one bank, and was deflected to the other. The three-quarter mile distance to the fish cannery was covered in a few minutes.

On its way the wave picked up a fishing boat, held it against the jetty, destroying about 12ft. of the structure. The boat was not damaged. As the wave reached the cannery it broke the moorings of several boats, some of which were left high and dry but undamaged. The tide was a third part in and making when the wave struck. The water under the bridge on the Scottsdale- Bridport road rose about 6ft. and lapped the planking. Mr. M. McGillivray said the first wave was followed by two smaller waves. The wave appeared to lift out of the sea.

At Eastman’s Beach, Bridport’s most popular beach, the wave travelled about 40 yards, climbed a three-foot breakwater and spread over the lawn. It was about five minutes before the Brid River resumed the placid course which it has followed for as long as Bridport’s oldest resident can remember. An inquest was opened yesterday morning by the coroner (Mr. H. E. Spotswood), and after evidence of identification the inquest was adjourned until next Friday.

ARTICLE: 1953
FREAK WAVE SWEEPS BOY OF NINE TO HIS DEATH

From The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954) Monday 16 November 1953 p 1 Article

A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy was drowned when a freak wave swept him and a playmate 80 yds. into the sea at Bridport on Saturday.

The boy, David Moase, of Bridport, had been playing on some rocks with two other boys when the wave swept up out of a choppy sea and carried him and five-year-old Randell Trethewie, of Blessington, away. The third boy, Martin Anstee (12), of Bridport, managed to hang on to the rocks until the wave subsided.

Randell Trethewie was rescued by his father, Mr. Henry Roy Trethewie, who made an heroic attempt to rescue both boys, but was able only to save his son.

Mr. Trethewie, who is convalescing from influenza, had been staying at Bridport with his wife and two sons, Randell and Richard (2½). On Saturday afternoon, the family with Mrs. J. Anstee and Martin and David Moase went to Mattly’s Beach, Richard Tre- thewie stayed near his parents.

The sea was choppy, but as the rocks where the boys were playing were some distance from the water’s edge, it was thought they would be quite safe. When the wave swept up, Mrs. Trethewie ran to Richard and carried him to safety.

The wave swept on, covering the rocks and breaking on the beach yards above the high- water mark. Mr. Trethewie dashed into the water to try and save the boys, but they were unconscious and he was unable to carry them both back to the shore.

In the swirling water, he was unable to tell which boy was which, but he dropped one and staggered to the beach with the other, his son. Then he turned to go back again, but was too exhausted and two men who had just arrived were already swimming out to try and find David Moase.

The men, Ted Bennett and Bob Wilson, were hindered in their search by logs of wood which had been drawn back into the water by the receding wave. Underwater, they looked as if there could be a body.

Brought To Beach

The boy was eventually found by Bennett and brought to the beach by Wilson. Meanwhile, Mrs. Anstee had run to the home of Mr. Norrie Turner, about 200 yds. away, and contacted Dr. T. Ick and Mr. and Mrs. Moase.

Wilson and Dr. Ick ap- plied artificial respiration for about 10 minutes and then decided the boy should be taken to the Scottsdale Hospital. They left immediately by car while the Scottsdale ambulance was phoned and asked to meet the car. Wilson worked on the boy until he was transferred to the ambulance, and then ambulance officers took over. At the hospital he was put in an iron lung, but the boy could not be saved.

Randell Trethewie was unconscious for more than 20 minutes, but though shaken and shocked, was not seriously affected by the tragedy. He was taken to Launceston yesterday by his parents.

Bridport residents said yesterday they had never seen a wave such as the one which swept the boys away. It was a freak both in its unexpectedness and its size, they said.

For Mrs. Moase, the tragedy was a repetition of one in which her brother, also named David, was drowned 20 years ago. He was swept off rocks a Bridport, near to those on which the boys were playing on Saturday. He also was nine at the time.

ARTICLE: 1948

“SHIPS LIFTED AND GROUNDED” Tidal waves surge into King Island port

Article from The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1956) Wednesday 17 November 1948 p 1 Article Illustrated

SHIPS in the harbour at Currie, King Island, were alternately lifted and grounded by a remarkable series of minor tidal waves which persisted regularly for two hours yesterday. Currie, the principal town and port on King Island, is on the central west coast. Shortly before 5pm the wind, which had been blowing at gale force from the east for three days, switched suddenly to the west, and drove a big body of water into Currie Harbour. After reaching a high level the water receded to such an extent that, within three min- utes, the harbour was almost empty, and all the craft in it, including a 300-ton vessel, were aground, some high and dry.

MAP SHOWING KING IS. and its relation to Melbourne.

In a series of bores, the harbour filled and emptied regularly every four minutes until 7pm.

“Wall of water”

“Each time the harbour began to refill there was a wall of water at the mouth of the harbour,” said Captain J. Liddly. “This wave came rushing toward the shore with a noise like a strong waterfall. But it found its own level by the time it reached the beach, and no dam- age was done to property.”

No reports were received from any other parts of King Island, and Currie Harbour was apparently the only area affected. It is believed a similar tidal disturbance occurred in the harbour to a lesser degree about 35 years ago.
ARTICLE: 1933
THREE BOYS LOSE LIVES – Two Fall From Rocks
30 Dec 1933 – The Argus – p13

HOBART Friday – David Roberts aged 11 years and Ian Wardlaw aged nine years were drowned in the channel at Bridport on the north-east coast today.  It is believed that they were fishing off a rock and fell in. The bodies were recovered but efforts at resuscitation failed.

William Wilcox aged 71 years of Huonville was drowned in the Huon River. He was playing on the Glen Huon jetty and slipped into the water.

ARTICLE: 1933

Surf Clubs
The Advocate, Monday 30 January, 1933

Among the correspondence received by the honorary secretary of the Devonport Surf Life-Saving Club is a letter from a resident of the Scottsdale district. Ho wrote asking for particulars regarding such matters as the cost of reels and bathing costume regulations. The writer stated that it was desired to make some provision for the safety of bathers on the beaches at Bridport, which ‘ is becoming a very popular picnic resort. Mr. Betts stated at a meeting of the local club on Friday night that he had replied, giving the information asked.  Mr. B. D. Doyle, deputy-president of the Surf Life-Saving Association of Australia, who was present, suggested that, in the event of the Bridport people desiring to form a branch of the association, the Devonport Club might render useful service by sending a representative to give advice. The suggestion was unanimously adopted, members present expressing their willingness to do anything possible in that direction. A visitor from, the East Coast who was in the town” recently stated that there was a strong feeling among patrons of the Bridport beach that something should be done in the direction of forming a lifesaving club in that locality. Among those who visited that spot were a large number who had “no experience in regard to surf bathing, and many children who were unable to swim. He had often heard the wish expressed that bathers at Bridport could indulge in the pastime with the sense of “security which could only be given by the knowledge that competent swimmers were patrolling the beach in readiness to go to the rescue of anyone who got into difficulties.