1980-1984

Our History - (1980-1984)

28 FEB 1980 - National Board Meeting

Reg Leigh Smith who was the Public Officer in Queensland, was replaced by Ian Firth.
Correspondence was received re application for a Flotilla to be established at Ayr.
Correspondence received from Staff Captain Gray South Australia, re formation of a group in Tasmania.
Brian J. Doyle was appointed Public Officer for the Association in Canberra.
An application was to be made for a postage stamp to be struck in honour of Coast Guard.

1980 - NF7 Shellharbour
This Flotilla was formed in the early 1980's and began its operation from a caravan situated at Shellharbour Harbour. The area served is from Red Point Port Kembla in the North to Kiama in the South. Members used their own vessels for active duty until sufficient funds were raised to purchase their own rescue vessel. This was achieved mid 1980. This vessel was decommissioned in 1988. The current vessel is a custom build vessel "Shelly's Rescue" which cost in excess of $65,000.

Local Council restrictions state that their base must be portable, and the need for a bigger base was evident with an increase in membership. A 22ft. site office was purchased and refurbished to replace their caravan.

Sheila Robinson

1980 - Sheila Robinson appointed Public Relations
Sheila Robinson was appointed Public Relations Officer with the rank of Captain.

Charter was granted to VF6 Dramona. (now called VF6 Safety Beach)

Charter was granted to NF9 Swansea.

Correspondence re visit to America by an Australian Rowing Team to participate in the New York Harbour Festival on 4th July 1980 (Pan Am) was received. Nine Coast Guard members attended.

Consideration was being given to the formation of a Flotilla in Albany.

28 NOV 1980 - National Board Meeting

Preparation of a Coast Guard Year Book is to be initiated by Deputy National Commodore Menge.
National Training Commodore W. Henry is to proceed with the approach to AYF for affiliation.
Opening of the South Australian Headquarters.
Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser accepted position of Honorary National Commodore.

28 NOV 1980 - NF11 Port Stephens
A New Flotilla formed at Lemon Tree Passage, Port Stephens. Received Charter on 7th November 1982.

Ray Earle

4 DEC 1980 - QF21 Sandy Straits
Former Commander Ray Earle, later Sunshine Coast Squadron Commodore was instrumental in having QF21 set up. It was through a misfortune on one of his fishing trips in mid 1970 when the necessity for radio communication from ship to shore became apparent. Every effort had been made to attract someone's attention for assistance. None was forthcoming.

As a result of this, a radio group known as the Maryborough Hervey Bay Power Boat Club was formed. The inaugural meeting of this group was held on 4th December 1980.

In April 1982 the base moved from Hervey Bay to Boonooroo and operated from a private residence. An application for the Marine Radio Club to join AVCGA was lodged in February 1983, with all debts, assets and other property donated to Coast Guard. The first meeting of the Flotilla was held on 7th July 1983 with nine members present. Ray Earle was elected Commander with Sel Turner Vice Commander, and the Flotilla was to be known as QF21 Sandy Straits. The Flotilla Charter received on 31st March 1984 was presented by National Commodore Hardie.

In 1986 a demountable was purchased to house the radio equipment and operate as their Base until 1990 when their Headquarters was completed and officially opened by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services in Queensland, Terry Mackenroth. The first rescue vessel "Straits Rescue" a 6.5m Trojan was purchased in 1985 and based at River Heads. A second vessel "Pride of Maryborough" a 8.0m Stringray was commissioned on 6th June 1991 and based at Boonooroo. In 1992 "Straits Rescue" overturned and sank during a midnight rescue, with the cabin and superstructure totally destroyed. The vessel was back in service at the end of March 1992.

A 7.5m Pacific Craft "Ariadne"(named after the first migrant ship to enter the port of Maryborough was commissioned on 6th September 1996. A second "Pride of Maryborough" an 8.25m Fisher Offshore was commissioned on 19th January 2000.

31 JUL 1981 - QF24 Thirsty Sound
This Flotilla was initially established as a section of QF11 Yeppoon with a membership of 24. Until 1990 the section's 2-way radio facility provided the only effective means of communication with the "outside world" during times of disaster such as cyclones, floods and other emergencies as there was no telecommunication facilities available in the area. On 25th February 1995 a meeting was held between the local inhabitants to assess whether there would be enough support to justify the formation of a Flotilla. The positive support from that meeting saw the first Flotilla meeting held on 16th April 1995.

The Flotilla operates within a 50 nautical mile radius from Plumtree in the Shoalwater Bay/Broadsound area encompassing Cape Townsend, Marble Island, the Percy Isles and Hexham Island. The Flotilla occupies a metal-clad building which it owns on a leased block of land which is adjacent to the boat ramp at Thirsty Sound. Members used their own vessels for rescues and training until the Flotilla purchased its own rescue vessel "Thirsty Sound Rescue" a 9.6mNustar. The Flotilla received its Charter on 28th March 1996.

The term of office for Flotilla Commanders is to be one year.

Work caps bearing the words Australian Volunteer Coast Guard were approved.

2 AUG 1981 - National Board Meeting

National Board approved the formation of a provisional Darwin Flotilla Northern Territory Flotilla 1. Mr. Ian Birbeck was appointed chairman of the Northern Territory Volunteer Coast Guard and Mr. E.J. Simmons was appointed Flotilla Staff Office. This appointment was withdrawn on 5th March 1982.
Motion passed that all elected and appointed Flotilla Officers, after election or appointment, are to be encouraged to attend an Officers Training Course.
The principle of Long Service/Good Conduct Award is accepted. A silver anchor for 10 years service and a gold anchor for 20 years service.
The Illawarra Squadron name was changed to Southern New South Wales Squadron.

1 SEP 1981 - Fee Increase
CAPITATION FEES were increased to $6

30 SEP 1981 -Southern New South Wales Squadron Chartered
The Southern New South Wales Squadron (previously Illawarra Squadron) received its Charter as a Squadron of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc.

The Band

5 MAR 1982 - National Board Meeting

National Board agreed to the formation of a Provisional Flotilla by Sunshine Coast Squadron whose duties will include the formation of a Band under the direction of Flotilla Commander Noel Sieman.
It was suggested that all Squadrons appoint an Historian with the view to ultimately combining all information to produce a document of recorded Coast Guard history.
Commodore Hardie received Life Membership of the Association.
The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc. financial year begins 1st October and ends 30th September.
VF11 Hume was granted its Charter.
Waves magazine was produced by Captain Christine Lowe for the New South Wales Squadron.

5 MAR 1982 - The formation of the Far North N.S.W. Squadron

A delegate is to attend the Air Sea Rescue Association of Australia meeting.
Commodore John Pearson will replace Commodore Menge as RNLI Liaison Officer.
Donald Isaacs received Honorary Membership of the Association.

23 MAR 1982 - Governor accepts office of Honorary Commodore

Rear Admiral Sir Brian Murray K.C.M.G.., A.O., Governor of Victoria accepted office of Honorary Commodore of the Victorian Squadron.

20 JUL 1982 - SAF6 O'Sullivans Beach
SAF6 O'Sullivans Beach was formed and held its first meeting with nine members present and two visitors. The venue was Christies Beach Football Club. A radio van (caravan) situated at Marino was used as their radio room. The first caretaker chairman was Gordon Cathro followed by Brian Harding. In July 1983 SAF6 received its status and Dennis Lynch was elected Flotilla Commander. In the first few years the Flotilla spent most of their time fundraising, training, attending community events and setting up their own static displays in malls, at schools and other locations. They were also very active out on patrols each weekend. The Flotilla also had a Ladies Auxiliary.

The Flotilla received its Charter signed by National Deputy Commodore Les Swift in February 1984.

In November 1984 the Flotilla held the commissioning ceremony of their rescue vessel CG 03.

In April 1985 the radio van appeared to be causing interference with the Sea Rescue group and VF6 were given direction to move the van. The new location was the top of the O'Sullivan Beach boat ramp and permission was granted to erect a garage to house the rescue vessel. The general operational area is from Hallett Cove south to Port Noarlunga. At this time Basic Seamanship courses were held at the Noarlunga College of TAFE.

Chris Lowe

6 NOV 1982 - National Board Meeting

An Instructors Register was submitted for the Board's approval by Commodore Henry together with a Register of Vessel Examinersand approved Instructors.
Three new publications were presented by Commodore Les Swift. Revised Members Guide, By-Laws and Officers Guide.
Associate member decal was approved.
National Training Orders shall form part of and be incorporated in the By-Laws.
Waves magazine as produced by New South Wales Squadron to become the National magazine, edited by Chris Lowe. Suggested date for the first issue was July/August 1983.
On 12th November 1988 Chris Lowe was unable to continue as editor because of work commitments.

APR 1983 - NF14 Port Kembla
NF14 Port Kembla was formed and was granted its Charter as a Flotilla of the Southern New South Wales Squadron in July 1985.

The NF14 Base on Hill 60, Red Point Port Kembla, is a Radar, Radio Marine rescue Communications Base, operating seven days a week and on call twenty four hours a day with a hand over Base at Bulli. The Base is on a World War 2 Pill Box, 210 feet above sea level with a 360º view of thirty miles to both north and south and a full view of Lake Illawarra. The elaborate equipment gives the average height of waves in metres, the average distance of swell in seconds and the largest wave each hour from 10KM at sea . The weather updates enables the Base to give very accurate observations from Hill 60 every 3 hours.

30 JUL 1983 - NF17 Iluka/Yamba receive charter
NF17 Iluka/Yamba. This Flotilla was first known as the Clarence Flotilla and received its Charter on 30th March 1984. The Flotilla was renamed Iluka/Yamba on 9th November 1986. The first Commander was Gus Kreffer with N. Fisher as Vice Commander. The area served is from Evans Head north to Brooms Head south.

31 JUL 1983 - Formation of Air Wing
Consideration is being given to the formation of an Air Wing. Squadrons who showed interest were Victoria, South Queensland, Central Queensland, North Queensland, New South Wales. It was resolved that an Air Wing was not warranted (31st March 1984) but a central register of Aircraft Pilots is to be maintained.

10th November 1984, it was accepted that Pilots possessing a coxswain rating could wear the wings of their qualifying flying institution.

31 MAR 1984 - National Board Meeting

The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association is to accept the invitation to join the Air Sea Rescue Association of Australia. (Name to be changed). Name was changed to Marine Rescue Association of Australia 7th March 1986.
The constitution stating its aims and objects was registered on 24th February 1988 in Canberra.
A Members Agreement for Development of Volunteer Marine Rescue Capabilities was signed by National Commodore Clarke on 21st October 1992.

31 MAR 1984 - Safety by all means
COAST GUARD MOTTO - "SAFETY BY ALL MEANS" was accepted, community service being the motivation behind the motto. A song written by L. Tanto was also accepted.

1984 - QF 20 Keppel Sands Flotilla
The inaugural meeting of QF20 was held at Keppel Sands State School on 11th March 1984 with fifteen people present including Squadron Commodore Neil Jones and Commander and Vice Commander from QF11 Yeppoon. QF20 was formed and accepted a role in the National Organisation, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc. In the first year a radio watch was run from the home of Flotilla Commander Gordon Ohl. Members kept their own boats at the ready for rescue work. The area served is Zilzie to Cape Capricorn including the northern end of Curtis Island and inshore of Wedge, Divided and Peak Islands. Land on the Southern Bluff at Keppel Sands was leased and building of the Command Centre began in 1987, almost solely by volunteer labour. A 20 metre tower was also erected. The building was completed in 1991 completely free of debt. An aluminum vessel, named "Beryl Dowling" was purchased and modified to rescue standards. This vessel was replaced by a 7 metre Catamaran in May 2001 and officially named "Keppel Sands Rescue" on 1st November 2001. Call sign of the station is VMR 471. The Flotilla received its charter on 23rd July 1993.

1984 - Long Service Award
Long Service Award for continuous active service (over ten Years) was to be struck, a silver anchor emblem to be worn on the right breast.

1984 - SAF6 Noarlinga Chartered
SAF6 Noarlinga, South Australia chartered.

1984 - lost his life during a rescue mission
Past Flotilla Commander David Waddell, NF10 Ballina lost his life during a rescue mission on the Ballina Bar. The Commodores Gold Award was awarded posthumously to David's family and Crew members Norm Sturgeon and Peter Kerkenzov also received the Commodores Gold Award for their courageous action leading up to and following the loss of the vessel "Centaur" on 29th March 1983.

21 JUL 1984 - Ballina Radio Room
NF10 Ballina Radio Room was opened.

10 NOV 1984 - National Board Meeting

Registration of the Association in Tasmania and Western Australia had been completed.
Commodore Graham Clarke was awarded Life Membership of the Association.
A sample card bearing the Pledge of the Association and record of acceptance as a member was circulated.
The New South Wales Squadron oversights 19 Flotillas and some 450 members; Southern New South Wales exercises responsibility for six Flotillas and some 120 members between Stanwell Park and Tathra on the far South Coast.

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