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Billy – a step back in time. Coalcliff – 1964

Mollymook beach,mollymook,beach,ocean swimmers,Coalcliff,1964

1964 – the way it was….

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Coalcliff SLSC

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The occasion: Peter Lozan’s 21st birthday (Pic – centre front row). Billy Rushton was on the scene to capture this group photo of the club members.

NOTE: The dress / fashion for that period: All the young men in their late teens – early twenties dressed in a suit and tie. That’s the way it was.

Back in this period the feature social event each Saturday night was a ‘Sand Dance’ held at the old surf club with some parents keeping an eye on proceedings. The old surf club was later washed away in the huge storms of 1974-1975.

Some of these youngster have aged gracefully over the ensuring 50 years as they came together for a 50th celebration, early November 2014 that Bill help organise at the Gerroa Fishermans Club.

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Poem by Ross Taylor

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We have gathered here today to celebrate old friendships that are unique,
Friendships, formed as kids by a common bond of sun, surf and the beach.
We used to congregate at Coalcliff, down by the seaside blue.
For around sixty years, give or take, we have known each other true,
But when we come together like this, old friendships to re-kindle .
Enabling us a chance to talk and laugh, a few beers, a toast,
Or just a wine to sip.

How often we recall what we did when younger and now we find,
For just a moment, lets just reflect those long gone years of perfect days at Coalcliff.
So let me pose this question when we all rode our Malibu’s,
Does any of the following sound familiar to you??

“The waves, though steep,
Were a sheer wall of green?
The type of waves,
Which were seldom seen?

Mollymook beach,mollymook,beach,ocean swimmers,Coalcliff,1964

1964 Surfing Scene

Take off was idyllic,
If a little extreme,
Was of what we often dream.
His right hand held the rail,
Then he thrust away’

The position was held,
For a moment or two,
Then the board was leveled
At the rider change of stance,

Like a second chance the board was stalled,
As he edged back to the tail
Some drops and turns,
Cutbacks were a must.

Leaving a long white trail,
The rider was in heaven,
As he headed back towards Coalcliffs sandy Shores.

Well if you enjoyed your ride, a trip back in time,
we have again shared some moments’
Tall stories one or two?

Lets not wait so long before we gather to make more fuss,
Before we know it there will soon be less of us.

Mollymook beach,mollymook,beach,ocean swimmers,Coalcliff,1964

Midget visits the South Coast – 1964

This afternoon we’ve all laughed and had some fun,

Coalcliff, ….. now millionaire’s row,

WAS OUR PLACE IN THE SUN:

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Other notable events in 1964

The Beatles hit musical “I want to hold your hand”, followed by their next hit “Can’t buy me love” which was later followed by “It’s a Hard Days Night’, each shot straight to No 1 on the charts, one after the other. The Beatles were to later make their 1st appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, that recorded 73 million viewers.

Richie Benaud retired after a 63  Test Cricket career. The 78th Wimbledon Men’s Tennis championships saw Roy Emerson defeat Fred Stolle 6-4, 12-10, 4-6, 6-3. The 1 st Ford Mustang is unveiled by the Ford Motor Company. The movie “Goldfinger” with Sean Connery’s begins its 1st day of shooting / production. The ‘Beachboys‘ “I Get Around” reaches No 1 on the musical charts. “Gilligan’s Island“, starring Bob Denver, debuts on CBS.

That’s the way life was, for us youngsters at Coalcliff back in 1964

Article submitted by Mollymook ocean swimmer Bill Rushton, formally of the Coalcliff Surf Club.

Mollymook beach,mollymook,beach,ocean swimmers,Coalcliff,1964

Billy-Rushton-2014

Mollymook beach,mollymook,beach,ocean swimmers,Coalcliff,1964

Poet – Ross Taylor (left) with Euan Poulton-2010

Mollymook beach,mollymook,beach,ocean swimmers,Coalcliff,1964

Coalcliff 2014

Mollymook beach,mollymook,beach,ocean swimmers,Coalcliff,1964

Coalcliff 2014

Mollymook beach,mollymook,beach,ocean swimmers,Coalcliff,1964

Coalcliff 2014

Mollymook beach,mollymook,beach,ocean swimmers,Coalcliff,1964

Coalcliff 2014