Our Club
Our story, Our community
Elliott Heads Surf Life Saving Club was established in 1965 by an enthusiastic band of volunteers led by local man John Cox, who developed a man-made beach between two rock groynes just north of the Elliott River mouth.
Over the years the club has grown and developed, and its clubhouse has recently undergone its fourth stage of building and extension to accommodate the growing needs of members. The clubhouse, which is nestled between sand dunes and a popular coastal caravan park, is at once a training centre, gear storage facility and second home to generations of lifesavers.
Many things have changed about surf lifesaving in that time too. Where once we competed events that seem hard to believe now – such as pillow fights and chariot races – and women were not allowed to be members until the 1980s, lifesaving has developed into a modern movement that celebrates volunteerism and healthy lifestyles, and nurtures resilience and leadership skills.
Elliott Heads SLSC has built a reputation for being a friendly, family-oriented club, with several generations of some families filling a variety of roles across the club. We also have many long-serving members and office bearers, and we have proudly presented 18 prestigious life memberships in recognition of people who have made great contributions to our club. Several of our members have also been recognised with life memberships at state and national level, recognising their contribution to lifesaving more broadly.
The club has also enjoyed a variety of sporting successes over the years, with our teams and individuals winning state and national medals in beach and water events, IRB events and surfboat events, and Champion Lifesaver and patrol competitions. One of our members even became a Winter Olympian, believe it or not!
Regardless of the changes in both the lifesaving movement and some faces over the years, one thing never changes – and that is our members’ determination to collectively protect our beautiful beach and the people who use it.