From Taperoo to North Haven, the origin story and our vision for the future…

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

A group of people gathered around a vintage car on a sandy, possibly beachside or desert area, with a tent on the right. Some people are standing and talking, while others look on. The background shows a flat landscape with some vehicles and distant
An old, weathered wooden building with a sign that reads "Caperoo Beach Surf Life Saving Club." The building has a sloped roof and appears to be in a rural or coastal area. The ground around it is grassy with some debris, and the sky is cloudy.
Interior of a metal shed with a raised roof, a door, and various items including a boat, a vehicle, and some boxes.
Small building with sign reading 'TABASCO BEACH SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB' on the roof, on a sandy area with sparse grass, under a blue sky with some clouds.
A vintage photograph of a small commercial building with a flat roof, three garage doors, and one smaller door, with four cars parked in front. Tall trees are behind the building, and there is an open grassy area in the foreground.
A white building with a flat roof, three garage doors, and several cars parked in front, surrounded by tall pine trees under a blue sky.
Small, box-like white shack with a brown door and windows, situated on sandy terrain with sparse bushes, under a clear blue sky near the coast.
Construction site of a house with a red roof, unfinished walls, and a blue sky with clouds.
Beach house with red roof on sandy beach, ocean in background, clear blue sky.
Beachside lifeguard station with a brick building and red tiled roof, sand dunes, and the ocean in the background.
The exterior of the North Haven Surf Life Saving Club building with two people standing outside. The building has a white facade, red-tiled roof, and a large glass window. The club's sign and logo are visible.
Beach with sandy dunes and sparse vegetation in the foreground, houses with red roofs and a mural on one building in the background, and pine trees under a clear blue sky.
A boat labeled 'North Haven' resting on land with grass and rocks, near an outdoor restaurant or cafe with tables, chairs, a large umbrella, a building with a mural and solar panels on the roof, and clear blue sky.
Logo for Taperoo Beach Surf Life Saving Club featuring a rescue board, a rolled towel, and an inflatable flotation device, with the club's name encircling the graphics.

8 March 1967

Brian Simpson and Mick Gregurke of Semaphore SLSC proposed to establish a club at Taperoo beach.

Cartoon illustration of a pair of white legs with brown socks and a cup of coffee as the torso.

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.

Black and white photo of five men in vintage swimwear and swim caps, standing on a beach, with a car in the background.

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

People standing around a vintage car on a muddy field, with some smoking in the background and a large tent on the right side.

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.

Black and white photo of a group of young women and men in swimsuits practicing on the beach, with cars parked in the background. The headline reads 'Practising Hard at Taperoo Beach.'
A newspaper article titled "Lifesaving patrols start Sat." about the Taperoo Surf Life Saving Club beginning patrols with minimal equipment, mentioning the club's equipment needs, the club's goals, and patrol schedule.
Seal emblem with text 'North The Haven Shore Living Club Est. 1967' surrounding a stylized image of seagulls flying over water.

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.

A group of children and adults gathered on a beach, wearing swimsuits and casual clothing, listening to a man in a striped shirt speaking, with some children clapping and smiling.
Group of people, some holding flags, standing in rows on a flat, sandy surface under a blue sky with wispy clouds.
Three smiling men standing behind a white food counter, wearing aprons, with one holding a pot and another flexing his arm. They are inside a rustic kitchen with a brick wall and shelves in the background.
Beach scene with a yellow utility vehicle carrying two women and supplies, while people swim and paddle in the ocean in the background.
Group of six people in swimwear standing next to a red rescue surfboat with a motor, near a wooden boat labeled 'North Haven' and a building, on a sunny day at the beach.
Group of young adults and a dog pose for a photo outdoors in front of a metal fence and planting bed.
A woman with blonde hair in a swimsuit and headband holding a large beach towel with red and white stripes with the words 'DICK'S' on it, standing on a sandy beach near the ocean with several people in the background.
A shirtless man in drawing shorts and a white cap standing outdoors on a sandy beach area with a barbell labeled 'TAPEROO BEACH' next to him, with ocean and sky in the background.
Group of five adults standing on a beach, smiling at the camera, with clear blue sky and sand in the background. Two men and one woman are wearing swim caps and sunglasses; two men and one woman are in casual attire.
Four men standing together in a bar or pub, smiling at the camera. Two of them are holding small trophies. The background includes framed pictures, signs, and a refrigerator.
Black and white photo of a young man standing in front of a banner with text, holding a camera, with water or sweat on his body, likely at a swimming competition or event in 1965.
Group of 11 people, including 9 in yellow surf rescue uniforms and 2 in blue shirts, posing in front of a North Haven Surf Life Saving Club banner at an indoor location.
Black and white photo of six men on a beach with a rowing boat labeled "Bullet Henderson Custom Cre". Three men are shirtless in swimwear, one in a white shirt, and one in a T-shirt and shorts.
A group of seven men dressed in vintage rowing uniforms with white shirts and black shorts, standing on a wide riverbank with overcast sky, next to a white rowing boat labeled 'RECYCLABLE GLASS'.
A white rescue vehicle with yellow and red checkered stripes parked on a sandy beach with the ocean and blue sky in the background.
Woman in yellow surf rescue shirt and red hat standing next to a surf rescue boat on a trailer near water, with a palm tree and city buildings in the background.
Woman in a black swimsuit and white hat pushing a large spool of rope on a beach, smiling, with the ocean and a bright sky in the background.
Black and white photo of a boat with the words 'Taperoo Beach' on the side, lying on dry ground with boat paddles across it, outdoor landscape with trees and open sky in the background.
Group of six people wearing wetsuits and helmets standing on beach near boats
A group of young people wearing vintage swimsuits and swim caps on a beach, with some preparing for swimming activities.
Beach with colorful kayaks and boats lined up on the sand, with people walking and relaxing nearby under umbrellas.
Two older men in black swim trunks and swim caps carrying a surfboard along a sandy beach with ocean waves and a dock or breakwater in the background.
Two smiling people with sunglasses at the beach, a woman and a man, with a wooden house and vegetation in the background.
Group of people standing on a sandy beach during a surfing event, with a large tent in the background featuring a surf life saving logo.
A large group of people gathered together, cheering and celebrating with drinks, in a room decorated with a clock on the wall. Some are making victory signs, and a few children are included in the front. The photo has a nostalgic vintage look.
Person standing outdoors on a grassy area near the coast, dressed in a black jacket, black pants, and pink slippers, holding a white surfboard with a helmet on their head, with outdoor chairs nearby and a sandy landscape in the background.
People dressed in black uniforms holding flags and standing in a line on a desert or salt flat, with a clear blue sky and distant mountains in the background.
Lifeguards in matching uniforms walking on the beach with a flag, holding hands, and the ocean in the background.
A group of eight men in swimsuits standing on a beach, posing with a trainer or coach in the middle, with ice skating equipment on the ground in front of them, during daytime.
People gathered near a red and white helicopter on a sandy beach during daytime, with a clear blue sky.
A group of men in swimwear and swim caps at the beach, with some holding a rescue boat marked 'ICE'.
People gather around a North Haven Surf Life Saving Club rescue boat on a city street during a parade or event. A white vehicle with a yellow surfboard on top is parked nearby, and buildings with various advertisements and banners are visible in the
A group of people, mostly women in black swimsuits, standing on a sandy beach with a clear sky, some holding a flag that says "The Lusitania".
Historic black-and-white photo of a group of women in swimsuits practicing surf lifesaving on the beach with a coach holding a flag.
Group of five male water polo players in black swimsuits, wearing medals, hats, and holding a banner and a flag, celebrating after a match against a blue sky background.
Group of people sitting on a concrete ledge outside a building with a sign that reads 'North Haven SLSC Penthouse'. Some wear sun visors and sunglasses, with summer clothing.
Group of seven people in yellow surf rescue team uniforms standing on the beach near boats, smiling and posing for the camera.
A group of people at the beach wearing swimwear and medals, celebrating an event.
Beach scene with a yellow maintenance vehicle, two women sitting on it, and people swimming in the ocean in the background.
Three men towards the beach, two are wearing wetsuits and swim caps, one is shirtless with swimwear, smiling and embracing each other.
Group of six men at a gathering, holding snacks, drinks, and lottery tickets, with a box of candies and treats in front of them.
Three female athletes standing outdoors with medals around their necks, wearing jackets and caps, holding certificates or awards.
A person wearing a yellow shirt, blue leggings, and a red cap is watering a rack of colorful kayaks with a garden hose outside near a white building.
A group of young boys standing outside a metal building, with some shirtless and others in casual clothing, and two bicycles leaning against the building.
A vintage photograph of nine young men with lean physiques in white swim trunks, standing around a vintage boat labeled "Custom Credit" and "North Haven" on the beach near the ocean, holding oars, with a clear sky and distant horizon in the backgroun
Three young boys in brown and white lifeguard uniforms with numbers 2, 3, and 4, wearing brown and white caps, standing on a sandy beach with a group of people in yellow life jackets in the water and a boat on the side.
Black and white photo of a group of people, including men and women, standing indoors against a brick wall with a scoreboard in the background.
Group of six men in swimsuits and hats posing on a beach next to a red rescue surfboard with an outboard motor, with a boat labeled 'North Haven' nearby.
Four young men in yellow sports shirts at an outdoor event, standing and sitting around a table with drinks, during the daytime. One person is holding a plastic cup of beer, others are visible in the background with some under umbrellas.
Woman holding a large beach towel or flag on a sandy beach with other people in the background near the water.
A shirtless man standing on a beach wearing a cap, with an old-fashioned weightlifting machine in front of him, and the ocean and horizon in the background.

Our Future

Beachside restaurant and activity center with outdoor seating, paddleboards, kayaks, and fitness equipment, overlooking the ocean. 
Please note: this image is AI generated and should not be taken as an actual depiction of any future facilities

A Small Club with a Big Vision for North Haven

North Haven Surf Life Saving Club may be a small club today — but our vision for the future is bold, exciting, and built for our community.

North Haven is changing. Once known as a quiet coastal haven, our suburb has transformed into a vibrant, diverse, and fast‑growing community. Families are choosing North Haven for its safety, lifestyle, and spectacular coastline. With the Oceanic and Fort Largs developments selling out and the shipbuilding industry set to expand significantly over the next decade, North Haven is on the cusp of becoming one of South Australia’s most sought‑after coastal destinations.

With this growth comes opportunity — and responsibility.

Our community deserves a surf life saving club that can grow alongside it. A club with the volunteers, facilities, and rescue capability needed to keep our beaches safe, support our members, and create a welcoming space for everyone who calls North Haven home.

So what does the future look like?

We imagine a vibrant, inclusive beachside precinct — a place that brings people together and celebrates our coastline:

  • 🌊 An accessible, welcoming beachfront precinct for the whole community

  • 🚻 Publicly accessible toilets and changerooms to better support beach users year‑round

  • 💪 Outdoor fitness and activity spaces that encourage healthy, active lifestyles

  • 🏠 A modern surf life saving facility overlooking North Haven Beach — giving our patrol members a safe, elevated base to operate from in all weather conditions, while enhancing our ability to monitor the harbour and beyond the breakwaters

  • 🌱 An environmentally sustainable design, built with natural and recycled materials, that respects and protects our coastal environment

This is more than a building. It’s a hub for safety, community connection, health, and pride — a place where volunteers are supported, families feel welcome, and beachgoers feel safe.

Be Part of the Vision

This vision can’t come to life without the support, passion, and ideas of our community. We want you involved. We want to hear your ideas. Together, we can create a beachside precinct that serves everyone — now and for generations to come.

North Haven is growing. Let’s build a surf life saving club and community space that grows with it.

Join us. Shape the future. Own the vision.