Dan O’Brien: Victor Fitzhenry Royal Life Saving Soc. Aust.
Posted on: Mon 27 Mar 2023
There’s no doubt about the important role Surf Lifesavers have played and continue to play in service to Australia!
Victor was a youthful member of South Bondi SLSC and later a volunteer rugby league coach. Interviewed by Daniel O’Brien OAM, he recounts many stories about the early days of surfing including when Waverly Council put a yearly fee on every surfboard that was used in their district – Bronte Beach, Tamarama, and Bondi! Many a board was confiscated when the licence sticker fell off the board.
Victor’s great-uncle CHARLES EDWARD FITZHENRY who enlisted under the name of William Doyle, died in France 22 August 1918 left his inscription on the wall of a cave in France that is revered and preserved by locals.
Main image: South Bondi SLSC Bronze Squad 1976; Brad Mayes, Mick Gibson, Gary Bostock, Victor Fitzhenry, & Nick Cain. Photo provided by Victor Fitzhenry and used with permission.
