Phil Coles, John Sayer, Tony Rule: North Bondi Surf Club legends celebrate decades of service
A three-time Olympian and road bike champion were among the men recognised for decades years of service to North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club. Find out how the club inspired an Olympic dream.
Wentworth Courier
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wentworth Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.
When three-time Olympian Phillip Coles AM joined the North Bondi Surf Club on April 12, 1949, he almost didn’t get in.
“When I first joined the club, you had to do a quarter of a mile in eight minutes or less,” Mr Coles told the Wentworth Courier. “When I did my swim I didn’t make it.”
Luckily the club captain at the time – a man named Frank Fox – said he was willing to give the bright eyed 16-year-old three weeks to shape up and try again.
“So I trained and trained and trained and came back in three weeks time and I did the swim [in time]. I’ve been with the club ever since,” Mr Coles said.
Mr Coles, who went on to compete at three Olympic Games in rowing, is an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee and is known for his instrumental role in bringing the Olympics to Sydney in 2000.
But the 91-year-old Bronte resident is also part of a proud cohort of club members who were honoured at North Bondi Surf Club’s annual reunion lunch held on Saturday.
Joining Mr Coles were John Sayer, 74, who was recognised for 60 years of service and road bike champion and NSW farmer Tony Rule, recognised for 70 years of service.
The small tight-knit group of men – women were not allowed to complete their Bronze Medallion until 1980 – have seen almost a lifetime of changes occur in the 70-odd years since they joined.
What has not changed is the reason the club continues to attract young recruits and holds a powerful place in the hearts of those who have served the community for decades.
Mr Coles joined the club almost 74 years ago.
“Why would I do that?” Mr Coles said. “Dedication. Mateship. The friends that I’ve made.”
Mr Coles met his wife through the club and believes the teamwork and rigour he learned through surf life saving drove him to become an Olympian.
“Being in the surf club committed me to competition,” Mr Coles said. “And competition got me to the Olympic Games as an athlete.
“I went to three games; ‘60, ‘64 and ‘68 – and I would never have done that [if not for the club.]”
John Sayer, 74, left school at the age of 15 and joined the surf club in 1948.
“I used to ride boards and all the Australian champions were all down here [at North Bondi],” Mr Sayer said. “It’s been my whole life” he said.
Tony Rule joined the club in the post-war years at the age of 14 at the urging of Mr Coles.
He said the dedication to the club goes beyond the competition on the waves.
“People spend a lifetime at a club because of the friendship,” Mr Rule said. “There’s something in that camaraderie that brought you all together.”
Mr Rule also revealed it was not necessarily true women did not enter the club until the 1980s.
“In those days a woman was not allowed in the front door. [But] being young and at night time … things sort of happened,” he said.
North Bondi Surf Club president Andrew Christopher introduced the event by thanking the dedicated members he said had helped it become one of the nation’s most successful.
“We don’t get opportunities very often to recognise extraordinary members of the club,” Mr Christopher said.
“Communities like surf clubs only survive and thrive because of the efforts that have gone in with the foundation of the club.” he said. “Some remarkable leaders, athletes, lifesavers, and a huge number of characters who are here with us today.”
Lowes owner lists Vaucluse home for $18m
The co-owner of Lowes Menwear has listed his Vaucluse home for sale with an $18m guide following an upgrade to a Rose Bay mansion that cost nearly $40m.
Former Fairfax exec lists luxury pad above Delta
A former Fairfax Media chief executive has listed his luxury apartment in the same block as where superstar Delta Goodrem owns.