Ernie Philip

Ernie Philip was the son of Tamarama SLSC Foundation President, George Philip.  Ernie must be the longest serving member Tamarama SLSC ever had - I stand open to be corrected on this point - but Ernie "joined" Tamarama as it was in 1906 at the age of 8 years old.  We can't judge this statement by today's standard, as a standard did not exist in 1906.  Ernie was active in some capacity (Vice Captain, Secretary, President, Patron and more) from 1906 through to his passing as Club Patron in 1977. 

In this article I have included Ernie's Report to Sydney Branch to mark the 50th Anniversary of Tamarama SLSC, with a specific focus on notable events and rescues. 

I have also include "Vale - Ernie Philip" as written by another Tamarama great, Rob Buist.

Guy

Report to The Surf Life Saving Association of Australia 

Sydney Branch Season 1956-1957

Golden Jubilee Annual Report

50th Year of Operation

The Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club

By E.G.Philip, Esq. President 1946/57

The Club was founded in 1906, with a limited membership of fifty. The Foundation President was the late G.B.Philip, Esq.

In 1908 with funds raised by subscriptions from Members, the Club's first rooms were built. At about this time, Tamarama Beach was condemned as unsafe for bathing by the Surf Bathing Committee. Outcast from the S.L.S.A., and the Surfing fraternity, the Club carried on with members who held Royal Life Saving Certificates. This state of affairs existed until 1927, when an S.L.S.A. Delegate visited the Club with a request that the Club affiliate with the S.L.S.A. This the Club did, and thus paved the way for a new era in the Club's history. In 1928, with an active Membership of twenty-five, thirteen Members gained their Bronze Medallions. In 1929/30, three Members, Messrs. W. Weir, B. Weir and R Shapcott were awarded Meritorious Awards in Bronze for their part in a very daring rescue. The Club competed for the first time in an inter-Club Carnival in 1930/31.

Mr G.B. Philip retired in 1938 as President, after 32 years in office. His successor was another foundation Member, Mr. E.E. ("Pop") Weir.

During the 1939/45 World War, the Club carried on under great difficulties, with fifty out of sixty active Members serving in the armed forces. The Club was presented in 1947/48 with its first standard size surf boat, by Sir E. Hallstrom. From this season on, Membership increased steadily, and at this date stands at about 170, 111 of these being active Members.

The Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1956, with a dinner at the Sheridan and a presentation of a gold statuette was made to our patron and sole surviving Foundation Member, Mr E.E. ("Pop") Weir.

During fifty years of faithful service to the public, no lives have been lost at Tamarama during rostered patrol hours.

The Club has gained five Meritorious Awards, numerous Metropolitan and State Titles, and this year gained its first National Title when Mr J. Annand won the Beach Sprint.

At Tamarama Beach. The late Geoffrey Wellesley Hyman was drowned at Tamarama Beach (near Bondi) on 22 January 1930 while gallantly attempting to rescue a girl in difficulties in the surf, and great bravery was displayed also by Bernard Weir, Wilton Weir and Raymond Shapcott, young lads who gave valuable assistance in that occasion.

During the early afternoon on that date mentioned, a girl, Miss Bernie, while bathing at Tamarama Beach, was carried seaward in a channel. Her plight was noticed by Geoffrey Hyman, one of a few who were on the beach at the time, and though he was an indifferent swimmer, he bravely swam to her assistance.

Hyman reached Miss Bernie, only to be swept away from her by a wave, and was immediately in difficulties himself.

The trouble was witnessed by three lads, Wilton Weir (aged 13 years), Bernard Weir (14) and Raymond Shapcott, who fortunately had some knowledge of life-saving, gained from the Tamarama SLS Club. Wilton Weir, who was first on the scene, donned a belt and bravely swam out to Miss Bernie. Hyman was some distance away at this time, apparently too exhausted to swim to the line on the rocks.

Weir and Miss Bernie were hauled ashore safely and then Bernard Weir entered the water from the rocks and swam to Hyman, who was a long way out. Weir assisted Hyman until Shapcott reached them with a line from the beach. Unfortunately while the three were being hauled in by some women, inexperienced in line work, they were dragged under the water and became separated. Hyman disappeared, Weir was washed away from the line and Shapcott, who could do no more owing to his leg being entangled in the line, was hauled to shore exhausted.

Meantime, another reel was requisitioned and Arthur Lamont, a qualified life-saver, swam from the rocks with a line to Weir and both brought safely ashore.

About 20 minutes later the body of Hyman was recovered on a sandbank at the southern end of the beach by members of Bronte SLS Club but resuscitation efforts were fruitless.

The Meritorious Awards Committee of the Association found that Geoffrey Wellesley Hyman, a poor swimmer and with no knowledge of life-saving methods, showed the greatest possible bravery in attempting to rescue Miss Bernie, and in awarding the Silver Meritorious Award, the Associations highest distinction, the deepest regret and sympathy are offered to his relatives for his untimely end.

With regard to Wilton and Bernard Weir and Raymond Shapcott, the lads displayed great bravery and presence of mind and set a fine example for other young Australians. They did their utmost, and it was not their fault that the incident did not have a happier conclusion. The Bronze Award is awarded to each of these lads with the heartiest congratulations of the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia.

Mr Arthur Lamont and members of the Bronte Life Saving Club have also been congratulated by the Association for their efforts on connection with the matter.

Through the efforts of Neville Carroll, a member of the Tamarama SLS Club, Mr W. Ballingall was saved from drowning at Tamarama on 21 August 1933.

Messrs Ballingall and the late J. Clunie, in a small boat were capsized near the rocks at McKenzie's Bay. Fruitless attempts were made to save them by fishermen throwing a life belt attached to a line, but Carroll, coming on the scene, swam without a line towards Clunie. Before Carroll reached him Clunie sank and did not reappear. Carroll returned to the rocks and donning a belt which had been brought from the Tamarama Clubhouse, he swam out to Ballingall who by this time was exhausted. The waves made matters difficult but eventually Carroll was drawn to the rocks with his charge.

Eye witnesses were all agreed as to Carroll's plucky efforts in what is regarded as a very dangerous area both on account of sharks and broken water on the reef.

Awarded Certificate of Merit.

A Certificate of Merit was awarded to the Tamarama SLS Club in recognition of the mass rescue made by members of the Club at Tamarama Beach on 22 January 1946.

A medium sea was running in the afternoon when a plane crashed into the sea about 300 yds from the beach. Many bathers immediately swam towards the plane, some to help the pilot but many souvenir hunters. Soon over 50 people were in difficulties, mostly within 100 yards of the beach.

The Club only had available three reels and three surf boards and the following rescues were effected by Club members:

In addition rescues were effected by members of both Bronte and Bondi SLS Clubs who arrived during the progress of the rescues.

In addition congratulatory letters were sent to the individual members of the club mentioned and to the Bondi and Bronte Clubs in connection with the above rescues.