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Four Corners: Surfies, clubbies and a changing way of life

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Old photo shows surf lifesavers marching in groups on beach
Four Corners: Surfies, clubbies and a changing way of life

SUBJECTS:  History

YEARS:  9–10


What effect did the rise of surfboard riding and its accompanying surf culture have on surf lifesaving?

In the early 1960s, surf lifesaving was regarded as a model of the values that underpin the Australian way of life.

This clip from 1964 explores the collision between the new surf culture and the traditions of the surf lifesaving clubs.


Things to think about

  1. 1.What ideals do you think Australia's surf lifesaving clubs represent? The Surf Lifesaving Association was built on voluntary service, teamwork and discipline. The surf could be dangerous and surf lifesavers gave up hours of their time to protect other members of the community. But the new surf culture posed a challenge to these clubs and their traditions.
  2. 2.According to the first man interviewed on the beach, for about how long had surf lifesaving clubs been losing members? What reasons does he suggest for this decline? According to Alan May, the surf club coach, how did the popularity of surfboard riding affect the lifesaving clubs? Which of these views do you find more convincing and why?
  3. 3.Several reasons are given in this clip for the decline of surf lifesaving clubs. It is suggested that teenagers now had money and mobility, and a thirst for new adventures. They were unwilling to take orders from older men. What elements of the boardriders' lifestyle might clash with surf lifesaving's ideals and demands?
  4. 4.Surf lifesaving clubs have a long and proud tradition in Australia and there is a vast amount of information about them in archives and books, and on the internet. Conduct research in order to report on the importance of the clubs in representing the values that have influenced the Australian way of life. Acknowledge your sources.

Date of broadcast: 1 May 1964


Copyright

Metadata © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia Ltd 2012 (except where otherwise indicated). Digital content © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). Video © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated). All images copyright their respective owners. Text © Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Education Services Australia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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