`Serious work but we had fun’ — WWII women lifesavers honoured

TWENTY-ONE of Australia’s first ever female lifesavers were finally honoured today with their Bronze Medallions nearly 75 years after they “answered the call” at a time of war.

Six-of-seven surviving members of Australia's first all-female lifesaving patrols received their long-awaited Bronze Medallions. (L-R) Joan Fogarty, Muriel Ogden, Dora Hatley, Trisha Berry, June Raynard and Norma Lawrence.

IT WAS a snub inconceivable by today’s standards.

But after nearly 75 years Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) had plenty of time to make amends and atone it did — today awarding 21 of the Commonwealth’s first female lifesavers with their Bronze Medallions.

In a red carpet ceremony, SLSA patron and Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove presented six of seven surviving women with their Bronze Medallions and awarded the remaining 15 posthumously to their families.

Dubbed the “biggest Bronze Medallion presentation Australia has ever seen” hundreds of invited guests packed Terrigal Surf Club while a marquee was broadcasting proceedings to the public outside.

Historic copy pic of some of Australia's first ever lifesavers from Terrigal SLSC. Picture: supplied.

His Excellency said while he was somewhat of an old hand at award ceremonies “this is something else again” and praised the trailblazing women for their selfless service at a time when the Terrigal community needed them most.

In 1942 when 72 of Terrigal’s 76 patrolling members were serving overseas during World War II a group of their wives, girlfriends, sisters and friends banded together to perform Australia’s first all-female patrols.

Despite earning their Bronze Medallions and patrolling the beach for three seasons the women were never recognised as lifesavers by a movement which did not accept women as full members until July 1, 1980.

His Excellency said they “answered the call”.

“They underwent the rigours of training, together they earnt their Bronze Medallions,” he said.

“They did all this without fuss or fanfare ... the time for recognition is due and deserved.

“Please wear these Bronze Medallions with great pride ... yours is an extraordinary story.”

Past and present. One of Australia's first all-female lifesaving patrol members Joan Fogarty, 95, back at Terrigal Beach talking to a current female life saver.

In a touching gesture linking the past with the present, the surviving women or their families were escorted on stage by current Terrigal SLSC members, many of them promising juniors, who owe so much of the modern movement’s inclusive values to this “bonny band” of ladies who bucked convention in order to save lives.

SLSA president Graham Ford said 110 years ago in 1907 there were just seven clubs, today there were 311 around Australia with almost a 50:50 split in male/female members.

He thanked Terrigal SLSC’s historian Cathy Cole whose research over the past 18 months found 35 women had taken part in the first all-female patrols.

Australia's first all-female lifesaving patrols at Terrigal Beach in 1942/43. Picture: supplied.

Ms Cole tracked down 21 of the surviving women or their families.

Sadly she said the surviving families of four women — Bessie Campbell, Dinki “Olive” Campbell, Dot Crick and Noreen Walsh — could not be found.

The presentation also saw an original 1944 newsreel shown in cinemas across Australia, the US and UK of the women in action.

The National Film and Sound Archive newsreel described the “shapely” female lifesavers as the “peaches of the beaches” and warned “boys” to get down to the beach quickly because “the trains from Gosford to Terrigal are booked solid for weeks”.

Joan Fogarty, 94, and Muriel Dibben (nee Snowdon), 97. Sadly Ms Dibben passed away recently before she could receive her Bronze Medallion.

The medal presentation heard at a time of war shortages the women had to make their own swimming costumes, however, one set of cossies made out of parachute silk had to be consigned to land events after becoming “transparent” in the water.

Accepting her Bronze Medallion and an iconic red and yellow cap, Norma Lawrence, 92, stepped up to the microphone.

“I would like to tell you it was very serious work but we had fun,” she said.

As she walked back to her seat she stole the show when she thanked her escort: “thank you so much, it’s not easy being pleasant all the time”.

At the end of the presentation His Excellency and Mr Ford unveiled a plaque commemorating the event while the surviving ladies, Trisha Berry, Joan Fogarty, Dora Hatley, Ms Lawrence, Muriel Ogden and June Raynard cut a cake.

A seventh survivor, Lois Campborn, lives in Brisbane and could not attend.

Australia's first all-female lifesaving patrols at Terrigal Beach in 1942/43.