A Part of Buderim's History

Buderim and the Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club

Today Mooloolaba is one of Australia’s great surf life saving clubs, regularly producing national champions.  Its members come from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and many other places.  However in its formative years just after the First World War, it was almost entirely Buderim residents who started and manned the club.  Buderim continued to provide the majority of members through to the mid 1930s when increasing numbers came from Brisbane as the

Bruce Highway

improved.

‘Mooloolah Heads’ was a popular camping place for Buderim residents at Easter and Christmas in the 1890s and early 1900s.  This led to the formation of a Mooloolah River Sports Club in 1919.  William Bell, the son of one of Buderim’s pioneers, was the first president.  Club members were largely from Buderim with a few from nearby areas such as Palmwoods and Eudlo.  The club organised competitions including an annual aquatic carnival.  Following the example of Maroochydore, the Sports Club became a Surf Life Saving Club in 1923 with the hope of making the beach safer and thereby attracting visitors and development to the area.

The club entered its first competition on Easter Sunday in 1923 at Maroochydore and the team tied for first place in the Whalley Cup.  A photograph from about 1923 shows the first Mooloolaba surf lifesaving team comprising: W.F. Bell (beltman), Vince Crosby, George Newberry, Frank Newberry, Tom Irwin and Percy Jakeman. 

There were women members right from the start with a ladies surf life saving team from the early 1920s.  In 1930 eleven of the 70 club members were women and Miss Len Parkinson was women’s captain.  Belle Crosby was a prominent member. 

Buderim locals William Bell, Percy Jakeman and Vince Crosby remained important members of the club over many years.  Percy Jakeman was president from 1923 to 1950 and Vince Crosby was secretary from 1923 to 1941.  ‘Uncle’ Bill Bell is regarded as the ‘father’ of the Club and held positions such as Instructor of the Club and captain of the surf boat crew over many years.