The Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc.

The History of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Inc.
In Chronological Order of Events

The following information, in chronological order, has been taken from the National Board Minutes, Squadron Commodores Reports and other documents and notes available to me.
Captain Connie Laurie, National Archivist

Chapter One - 1960 to 1964

Dec 1960	Following the meeting at the Beaumaris Yacht Club and an article appearing in the local newspaper concerning the United States Coast Guard, the group from the Yacht Club decided to take some action and form a similar organisation in Victoria. This was the beginning of the Australian Coast Guard, (now known as the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association Incorporated)
14th Sept 1961	The first order of Australian Coast Guard was drafted and a provisional Flotilla VF1 Melbourne (Ormond) was established
1962	Flotilla VF3 Frankston was the first Flotilla in the Association to be Chartered. The Flotilla is located forty (40) kilometers south of Melbourne, Victoria. In 1965 VF1 combined with VF3 and both became VF1 Frankston
	Coast Guard in South Australia
October 1961	What began as a friendly meeting on the Labor Day weekend in October 1961 while cruising the River Murray at Mannum, Frank Johns on his cruiser "Gideon" with his family and friends Ken and June Coffey were invited aboard a craft skippered by Ron Carr. It was here that discussion ensued concerning the formation of a volunteer coastguard in South Australia
Nov. 1961	A preliminary meeting of the Australian Coast Guard SA District was held following an advertisement placed in the Adelaide Advertiser Newspaper by Ted Madden, seeking interested persons to form a similar organisation in South Australia. At this meeting it was agreed to find suitable premises to conduct a Basic Seamanship Course. The first course commenced on 5th May 1962 at the Shell Building, North Terrace, Adelaide with Ted Madden from Victoria as lecturer. This course was so successful a second course was held immediately and as a result, two Flotillas were formed, Doug Tait being Flotilla Leader for a short time then Max Able became Flotilla Leader of No 1 and Eric Rump Flotilla Leader of No 2. In early 1963 Port Broughton, Flotilla 3 with Ray Bartlett as Flotilla Leader was formed with a Fourth Flotilla formed in Adelaide with Ron Brill as Flotilla Leader
	As a result of advertising for a suitable Basic Seamanship lecturer, William Nelson Henry, professional Compass Adjuster was selected and paid £1 (two dollars) each evening while conducting the course. Bill Henry very soon joined the organisation. Within a short period of time conflict arose between various members of the executive and all South Australian Board positions became subject to National Board edict
Aug/Sept 1963	"Operation Albury", the River Murray Trip, a cruise from Talangatta to Goolwa was undertaken by three twenty foot cruisers, 'Akroonah', 'Crusdaer' and FV59 belonging to members from Victorian Coast Guard Auxiliary, Commodore Ted Madden, and Rear Commodore Weston-Smith who set out from Albury in August 1963. The 1390-mile voyage along the Murray River was to commemorate the opening of the river to navigation by the Paddle Steamer Albury in 1855. Two cruisers from the South Australian Division commanded by Commodore Carr and Staff Captain Johns joined the Victorian boats at Bow Hill in September. The last stage of the journey across Lake Alexandrina proved the most difficult with strong winds, bad weather and drifting debris. The voyage ended on 12th September 1963 with a parade through the streets of Adelaide. (NOTE: A full report of this voyage is included in the "Historical Documents of Interest" File)
16th Sept 1963	The South Australian Unit was reconstructed under the leadership of District Captain Bill Henry with Frank Johns as Vice Captain, Sam Aukland, Training, Lance Newman, Staff Officer, John Cook, vessel Examiner, Ken Coffey, Stores. On 11th November 1963 a Certificate of Incorporation was issued to 'The Australian Coast Guard Auxiliary of South Australia'. The influence of Bill Henry, later to become the first S.A. Group Commodore was evident at State and National level for the next three decades. Frank Johns was selected to represent Coast Guard on the Government committee to investigate and make recommendations regarding the control and safety of power driven craft and the licensing of drivers, from which the Boating Act 1975, was formed
26th Sept 1963	SAF1 North Haven, SAF2, SAF3, SAF4 were in operation SAF3 Port Broughton ceased to be operational on 31stAugust 1972 but reformed in 1976.only to cease operation again on 31st December 1996 with members joining SAF1. SAF4 in Adelaide grew in numbers to allow for the creation of Flotilla SAF5 with Peter Baulderstone, (later Commodore) as Leader. Flotilla SAF6 Lonsdale was formed in the southern area of Adelaide and SAF7 made a brief appearance on Yorke Peninsula. Country Flotillas were established during 1990's at SAF8 Port Augusta, SAF9 Ardrossan and SAF10 Port Vincent. The first Flotilla Charter of the SA Group was issued to Flotilla No1 on 29th May 1968. The South Australian Squadron received its Charter on 15th November 1976
	Construction of the North Haven headquarters costing $195,000 began in 1980 and was officially opened on 22nd February 1981by the then Premier of South Australia David Tonkin who was made Honorary Commodore
	In 1986 the need for improved radio coverage was recognized. Land was procured at Myponga on the south coast and a UHF repeater Coast Guard Station was set up. In March 2001 due mainly to the untiring efforts of Vice Captain, Radio Logistics Andrew Newman, thirty-two (32) radio bases providing radio assistance were established
	SAF2 and SAF5 amalgamated with SAF1 on 21st July 2003
	Flotillas in operation in South Australia in 2006 were SAF1 North Haven, SAF6 O'Sullivans Beach, SAF8 Port Augusta, SAF10 Port Vincent, SAF11 Kingscote, Kangaroo Island
March 1964	The South Australian Ladies Auxiliary Club was formed, the first President was Mrs. S. Aukland and Secretary was Mrs. S. Bevan. The purpose of the Club was to raise money for the benefit of the Association
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