Age Does Not Weary Frank

By Duncan Horscroft on April 26, 2011 in News

Although it is debatable whether or not Bronte Surf Lifesaving Club started it all back in 1903, there’s no question as to who the longest serving living member of the club is.

That accolade goes to one Frank Conrad Norton (OAM, BEM) who has been part of the Bronte scene for 75 years and seen more changes than the women’s dressing room at David Jones.

Frank was recently recognised for his dedication to the club with the President’s Award from Surf Life Saving Australia and was also made Life Governor of the Bronte Club.

The club patron since 1976, Frank can still be seen every day walking along the promenade, politely tipping his trilby to all the females he passes before popping in to the club’s office to make sure everything is in order.

At a ‘youthful’ 91 years old, he is an encyclopaedia of the Bronte area and regularly regales the locals with tales of the bygone days.

He is very modest about the time he served in the army, with tours of New Guinea, Tarakan and Balikpapan during WWII, but is up before dawn every Anzac Day to remember his fallen comrades.

A lot of water has flowed across the sand since he caught the Bronte tram to start surf patrols at 6am as a 16 year-old.

But this living legend is proud of every moment and an absolute pleasure to be around.