Waverley Council Lifeguards – 100 Years And Going Strong

By John Ruffels and Kimberly O’Sullivan on April 14, 2013 in Other

Photo: Waverley Library

The Waverley Council area is home to Australia’s busiest beaches: Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama. Each year approximately 600,000 local residents and Australian and international visitors use them. Bondi is the world’s busiest beach with approximately 2500 rescues each summer. There are more rescues on Bondi Beach than at any other beach in the world.

Arguably the most recognisable figures on the beach are the Waverley Council lifeguards, formerly known as Beach Inspectors (or ‘Beachies’), who will this year celebrate 100 tireless years of keeping beachgoers safe.

It was in 1913 that Waverley Council employed its first full time professional lifeguard to protect swimmers on Bondi Beach. The lifeguard in question was a bloke named Dennis (better known as ‘Dinny’) Brown, a Bronte local and competent waterman. The provision of permanent lifeguards – who would determine safe bathing areas on a daily basis depending on currents, rips, and weather conditions – was an entirely new concept in surf safety. It quickly caught on though, and a lifeguard service for Bronte and Tamarama followed soon after the appointment of lifeguards at Bondi.

Roosters tragics will be pleased to know that Dennis Brown’s son was Dave Brown, the famous Eastern Suburbs footballer. It seems that sporting prowess ran in the blood.

Shortly after Dinny started his patrols at Bondi, Waverley Council welcomed its second lifeguard, a man who became known as the ‘King of Bondi’. Stanley ‘Mac’ McDonald is remembered for his powerful physique – he was often described as looking like a bulldog – possibly a legacy of his former years as a boxer.

After retiring in 1933, McDonald remained on the beach, setting up Mac’s Beach Hire, which rented out deckchairs, surf-o-planes, towels and sun shelters, as well as providing an extremely popular a sun tan lotion spraying service. He is buried in Waverley Cemetery and on his headstone is a small bronze figure of a surf lifesaver, standing with a miniature reel, line and belt.

After Dinny Brown retired, he went back to his ‘home’ beach and ran the dressing sheds as a business on Bronte Beach.

The most dramatic day of rescues for Waverley’s lifeguards occurred on Bondi Beach on February 6, 1938, an infamous day now known as ‘Black Sunday’. On the day in question, a freak series of waves hit in rapid succession, catching the crowded beach off guard. In the aftermath, approximately 250 swimmers required assistance from lifeguards and lifesavers, of which 150 were rescued, 60 suffered near drowning, 35 were rescued unconscious and 5 unfortunate souls drowned.

Today you can see the Waverley Council lifeguards in action from the comfort of your own lounge room on the multi-Logie-award winning television show Bondi Rescue, now broadcasting its eighth successive season.

They’re far more handsome in person though so be sure to say g’day next time you see the boys in blue strutting their stuff on Waverley’s beaches.

If you would like to learn more about the colourful of history of the Eastern Beaches area you can call Waverley Council Local Studies Librarian Kimberly O’Sullivan on 9386 7744 or send her an email at kimberlyo@waverley.nsw.gov.au.