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Interview with Jack Trevan

When I spoke with Jack Trevan recently, I was interested to learn as to how a boy who grew up in Lismore became such an integral part of the Ballina lifesaving fraternity.

Jack was able to throw some initial light on this topic by telling me about his mother. Jack’s mother was a member of the Lismore Women’s Lifesaving Club during the 1920’s. Lifesaving in Lismore? Yes – there were a number of pontoons that assisted such important activity. They were located down under the Ballina Street Bridge in those years as many locals had no other choice but to swim in the river prior to any public baths being erected in Lismore.

Jack’s mother was to play another significant role where water was concerned in the years that followed. She was to raise the highest amount of funds for the Council in their efforts to actually build the first public memorial baths. For her efforts, she was to receive a gold watch and, in 1927, was allowed the honour of the being the first person to dive into the pool at its opening.

So, it seemed only natural for Jack to follow in his mother’s footsteps where both lifesaving and community involvement were concerned. It was to be the Manager of the Lismore Memorial Baths during the 1930’s period that became particularly interested in beach lifesaving. A Surf Lifesaving Club was started in 1933 in Ballina and the Club was to be primarily supported by Ballina members. However, there was no swimming pool in Ballina at this time and Ballina’s population stood at around 1,200.

Lismore, on the other hand, had many developing swimmers via the provision of a public swimming pool and a population of around 10,000 strong. Lismore desired to become part of the Ballina Lifesaving Club in 1936 … and so the bond began. The Club is still known today as ‘The Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Life Saving Club’. And, in the 1930’s, the Club was to boast an incredibly strong Rescue and Resuscitation team.

In 1944, Jack can recall the lifesaving training taking place in the park in front of the Lismore Memorial Baths. Every Sunday in Summer, the lifesaving club members would pay 2 shillings to travel across to Ballina on Clarrie Turner’s bus … a service that was provided especially for surf club members.

In 1955, the Surf Club did not possess one member from Ballina. Its strength was solely in its Lismore membership after the war. As Jack reflected as to why this was the case, it was thought that Lismore’s swimming pool and the associated friendships (via a common sporting interest) that developed … along with a greater number of jobs available in Lismore seemingly brought about this difference or imbalance in the Ballina/Lismore surf club membership. In later periods, the ratio would be ever-changing.

Due to the farmer’s visitation to Lismore, it became a hub town in the district. Jack recalls how the invention of the motor car impacted on life as his family knew it … considerably. He remembers catching the train out of Lismore and heading to Byron Bay more regularly than Ballina before the arrival of the motor car. Jack says “The motor car changed everything. For one thing, many more Lismore people were able to conveniently travel across to Ballina.”

So … that’s how a boy growing up in Lismore became increasingly involved in the surf lifesaving activities of both Lismore and Ballina. Jack was to move to Ballina in 1955. He built a house at Shelly Beach in 1958 … and still lives there to this very day! He remembers that there were cows milling about in Ballina’s main streets in the 1950’s. This is a man who has witnessed much change in our local communities and on our local beaches … not least, the bikini … ask him to tell you that story … and ask him if he can still remember the colour?! Rumour has it … it was light blue!

How was life as a Ballina-based lifesaver in the 1950’s and 1960’s? Jack emphasised the sense of community service associated with such an important role. He patrolled on weekends 9am – 5pm after working a 48 hour week. When the boys weren’t on their 8 week patrol schedule, Jack says that they would still visit the beach in Winter and throw a baseball around.

Jack commented that “The Sun Girl Competitions were vital in terms of providing an income for the surf clubhouse. Apart from these monies, club income derived from associate members who paid a total of one guinea in those days!” Other beach memories that Jack recalls include the first woman surfer in Ballina during the 60’s (a woman known as “Freckles”).

Some more serious incidents also remain with him, particularly those directly aligned with his and his mate’s many rescue efforts. He recalls pulling a newly married man from the waters of Lighthouse Beach – the wedding had taken place only the afternoon before. A shaking young wife approached him and asked, “Are you the man who pulled my husband out of the water?” Upon replying “Yes” … that he was in fact this man … she extended her hand and offered him one pound as a reward for his efforts, stating that this was a donation for the Surf Club. 

Jack Trevan received a meritorious award for his rescue services and he also went on to become President of the Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Life Saving Club for many years.

He is a Life Member, Life Patron and Life Governor of the Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore Surf Lifesaving Club.