The Formation of Mentone Life Saving Club 1920
This colourful story is taken from research done by one of the earliest members, Mr Jack Ellis. This is his story: -
Towards the end of 1920 a group of young men from the Mentone Cricket Club decided that Sunday activities on the beach were very limited. The endless Sundays of ‘Sandbank Tests’ grew tiresome and they looked for some other way to fill in the afternoon hours. Logically enough their thoughts turned to a little organised swimming. These thoughts were enlarged and to the untold benefit of generations to come, the idea of trying their hands at lifesaving came forth. With these latent ideas in mind, a public meeting was called to take place in the old Mentone Recreation Hall. The result of this meeting was the formation of a Life-Saving and Swimming Club. A committee for the newly-formed Club was duly elected, the members of this first executive being Mr. J. Angus Snr. – President; Mr. Jim Pyram – Secretary; and Mr Jack Ellis – Treasurer.
The inevitable conflict between the self centred interests of a swimming club and a service orientated life saving club became evident soon after and the swimming club relocated to the former Mentone Baths opposite Warrigal Road.
A boatshed, loaned to the club by Cr. Delves of the Moorabbin Shire Council, became our first dressing shed. This, however was only a temporary home, as Cr. Delves, later secured a shelter shed on the site of our first clubhouse. The Life Saving Club raised funds to build a new Clubhouse on that site and this was officially opened in December 1928 with the first Carnival Day of January 1929.
The Second World War
When the Second World War came along all the male members, except for those in reserved occupations, joined the Australian armed forces - either Army, Navy or Air Force, and it was left to the females of the Club to keep it running effectively for the years 1939-46. This fact was considered worthy enough for the world’s press to devote considerable space reporting this activity.
“Doing their bit on the Home front” (Extract Sydney Sunday Telegraph, Oct. 6 1940)
“Stepping into the men’s surf-belts are girl members of the Mentone (Melbourne) Life Saving Club. All men members of the Club have joined the fighting forces or are engaged in Munitions work, so the girls are taking their places. On Weekend leave, soldier-members come to Mentone to help the girls in their training. Life Saving is important work in keeping our beaches safe, so these girls carry on bravely.”
A new Clubhouse in 1963
Post the Second World War the club continued to grow, and a new club house was clearly needed.
The club conducted a competition for the design of the ‘new’ Clubhouse. Club member David Blanks’ design won and with only minor changes by the Council architects to the placement of the kitchen and stairs the building went ahead. “Uncle Bill” Spunner had left money in his will and this formed the nucleus of the new building fund. The Club had to contribute 2,000 pounds towards the 12,000 pounds cost of the new building. The new Clubhouse was opened in May 1963 as the W.A. Spunner Pavilion, and remained the clubs home until 2021. During its 60 year life many modifications were made as the clubs activity and role continued to expand. The Club took over more of the council space for First Aid Rooms, gear storage areas, and a special area to house the Club’s Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB)and other rescue gear.
Changes to life saving organisations and affiliations
The most significant organisational change to the Mentone Life Saving Club over the years was its dual affiliation with the Royal Life Saving Society and Surf Life Saving Association of Australia (Victorian Branch) in 1996. This required some major reorganisation of the Club and its operations. Most of these changes were in the awards required to patrol and operate the various types of patrol equipment. We also had to upgrade some of our equipment that we used as well as purchasing some new items such as a second motor for the IRB.
Victorian Life Saving took a major step forward when, in spite of opposition in some interstate branches of the RLSS and SLSA, Life Saving Victoria (LSV) was formed from a merger of the Victorian branches of the RLSS and SLSA, and Mentone was at the forefront of this change.
Mentone Life Saving Club today
During the early 2000’s the club experienced phenomenal growth in membership and activity. Not only did this require a highly active committee and strong leadership, it also became apparent that the 1963 building, despite its upgrades and changes, was inadequate.
With a steady membership averaging around 1200 members across all ages the club began the long process of seeking support from Life Saving Victoria and the City of Kingston for a new clubhouse. In May 2021 we used our old building for the last time and in October 2023 the new clubhouse, with much fanfare, was officially opened.
Today Mentone Life Saving Club is active across all aspects of a modern life saving club. It remains proud of its history as a pioneering club in Victoria and looks forward to continuing its service to the community and being an integral part of the life saving movement.
