From Taperoo to North Haven, the origin story…
The origins of the North Haven Surf Life Saving Club come from the formation of the Taperoo SLSC. The history of the club has it’s roots in the Semaphore SLSC, and it is there that we will begin our journey……….
“… I’m not sure about the date – sometime in April 1967 – but Dave and Mick visited L.R. “Casey” Cooper at his home in Exeter. Casey was a well known sportsman in the Port Adelaide District, being a coach, an umpire, on several committees as well as a tally clerk and work associate of our fathers. He agreed to be the inaugural President of Taperoo Beach SLSC. They also visited Ted Charles, local North Ward Councilor, to ask him to support their proposal.” – Tony Nelson, Life Member of North Haven Surf Life Saving Club
8 March 1967
Brian Simpson and Mick Gregurke of Semaphore SLSC proposed to establish a club at Taperoo beach.
1 May 1967
A letter was sent to the Adelaide Branch of Surf Life Saving SA advising them of the wish to establish a Club at Taperoo Beach and requesting the appointment of a Liaison Officer to guide them through the correct procedures.
The Club colours of brown and white were chosen by Dave Nelson, Barry Farmer and Mick Gregurke.
3 October 1967
President elect Casey Cooper, and interim Secretary David Nelson attended the Adelaide Branch meeting. At that meeting, P. Higgs moved, and was seconded by K. Burton, that Taperoo Beach SLSC be formally affiliated.
22 October 1967
The first public meeting of the Taperoo Beach SLSC was held at the Taperoo Osborne Youth Centre (Osborne House, Victoria Road). The meeting opened at 2:40 pm to a gathering of approximately 60 people.
0ffice holders elected to the first committee of the Taperoo Beach SLSC were:
President - Casey Cooper
Vice President - Jack Lahne
Honorary Secretary - Dave Nelson
Treasurer - Barry Farmer
Club Captain - Mick Gregurke
Vice Captain - Bob Morrow
Chief Instructor - Bob Morrow
Members Representative - Gavan Farmer
Gear Steward - John Gardiner
Boat Captain - Ray McKechnie
Publicity Officer - P Webster
Committee Members - Gavan Farmer and R Kennedy
Honorary Auditor - Allan Nelson
NOTE: Don Henderson was elected to the Committee in December 1967 and Patrick Critchley was appointed Publicity Officer in February 1968.
Founding Members:
John Gardiner
Michael Gregurke
Ray McKechnie
Anthony Nelson
David Nelson
Kevin Nelson
LR “Casey” Cooper
Jamie Coull
Jock Coull
Patrick Critchley
Barry Farmer
Gavan Farmer
25 November 1967
A tent was erected for Club members and the first patrol commenced at Taperoo Beach comprising Mick Gregurke (Captain), John Gardiner, Mick Scanlan, Kevin Nelson, Peter Allen and Graham Rowe.
Becoming North Haven SLSC
1979
A major opportunity emerged with the State Government’s establishment of the North Haven Trust. Tasked with developing what would become the suburb of North Haven, the Trust approached our club early in the process—they wanted to promote the new area as having a safe, patrolled beach. Their offer was simple: if we adopted the name North Haven Surf Life Saving Club, they would fund our relocation to the new development.
1984
For the first few years, the club operated from an ATCO hut positioned in the corner of what is now the car park. True to its word, the Trust went on to construct our first proper clubrooms, which today form the foundation of our current building.
This history of the establishment of Taperoo SLSC & North Haven SLSC has been based on an original text supplied by Life Members of North Haven SLSC, Don Henderson & Elaine Farmer.
