The beginning of Umina Surf Life Saving Club.
Umina Beach Surf Life Saving Club was formed 50 years ago after a walkout by a group of young members of the Ocean Beach club.
The group included members who held positions of treasurer, chief instructor, board and ski captain, and gear steward.
The younger members of the club had been called before the Ocean Beach committee to be reprimand for holding an unsanctioned party in Ocean Beach Surf Club clubhouse.
No penalty or suspension was given, just a rap over the knuckles and lecture not to do it again.
However, as a result, six key members (Max Tearne, John Breakwell, Les Wynne, Grahame Stockley, Jim Butt and Tony Collins) decided to try and form their own surf club at the southern end of the beach.
Known at that time to them as "the alley", they had always spent a lot of their time body surfing there as the waves were better.
At the time, many were current management position holders on the Ocean Beach Surf Club committee.
Max Tearne had been the chief instructor, John Breakwell the treasurer, Jim Butt the board and ski captain and Les Wynne was the gear steward.
With the support and guidance of Ocean Beach Caravan Park proprietor Jack Hogan, an initial meeting was held at the Breakwells' residence at 13 Albion St, Umina, where it was decided to form the new club.
John Breakwell, as secretary, was to write a letter to branch seeking approval to start the club.
John and Max Tearne attended the December branch meeting where the Umina Surf Life Saving Club was officially affiliated.
Jack Hogan also sent a letter of support to branch for the formation of the surf life saving club.
He and his wife Wyne were both tireless workers for the cause.
Not only was he instrumental in supplying accommodation prior to the clubhouse's first stage, he was also instrumental in acquiring land and control of club activities.
He also wrote articles in the local paper on behalf of the club,
The official inauguration of Umina Surf Life Saving Club occurred when the club became affiliated with the Central Coast branch on January 8, 1960.
The Central Coast branch donated patrol flags, caps and a reel.
The branch annual report of 1959-1960 stated: "Our 13th club was formed and affiliated, this being Umina, operating at the southern end of Ocean Beach, and this club has joined our other younger clubs, North Avoca Beach and Soldiers Beach-Norah Head, in solidifying their groundwork by industrious activities."
Foundation members were industrial chemist Max Tearne, school teacher John Breakwell, engineer Les Wynne, salesman Grahame Stockley, builder Jim Butt and Tony Collins who was with the Navy.
Jack Hogan was the foundation president and Dick Whitehorn was the patron.
Kevin Tagg, an ex-member of Ocean Beach, also offered his patrolling services for the initial season.
The first member of the club to gain his bronze was Adrian (Audie) Voormuelen.
In this inaugural year, Umina entered the "Catch a Shark" competition run at The Entrance beach.
Umina borrowed a boat from Avoca and members Max Tearne, Grahame Stockley, John Breakwell, Jim Butt and Audie Voormuelen managed to catch three stingrays.
Audie had to be taken to shore due to sea sickness.
Umina scored nine points in their first branch titles while John Breakwell won the Open Beach Sprint event.
Club membership consisted of seven active, three cadet and five other members.
Email, 27 Nov 2009
Kerry Armstrong-Smith, Umina SLSC