Like a lot of surfers in the early days I became a member of both Kirra and Snapper Rocks Surfriding Clubs, at different times.
Looking back prior to joining these clubs I can remember how the ocean always had a special attraction to me, my grandparents, parents, and both of my brothers Phil and Rob.
And we would meet friends, on weekends and holidays.
We would spend most of the day surfing at either Kirra, Greenmount, or Rainbow Bay. D-Bah was out of the question as it was considered too dangerous before the re-direction of the Tweed River mouth with the extension of the rock walls. I especially enjoyed my times at Kirra for two reasons, one riding "Johnny Charlton's Surf 0 Planes" and the other was the friendship I shared with John and Esme's youngest daughter, Christine(Chrisy). Beauty ran in the Charlton family with their daughters, Carol, Robin, Denise, right down to Chrisy who even at eight was a real glamour.
During the 1960's I often hung in the rocks out at Kirra Point watching surfers like; Graham Black, Harry "Hacka" Allen, and his brother along with Laurie Pinniger, Mal Sutherland, John Standing, Al Balmer, Brian Woodrick, Brian "Fury"Austen, Joe Larkin, Bill Stafford Jnr and other fine surfers of the day.
They all surfed with such excitement on the waves, hot-dogging, hanging five and ten, on those huge boards was just sensational, the adrenaline would build up in me so much that I would quickly run around to the kiosk, grab a 'Surf 0 Plane,' (if there was one available), and hit the shore break and try to copy what I had seen, (money for the hire was no problem as being a local and a friend of John Charlton, I wasn't charged).
Another fond memory was the Doug Roughton's snow cones.
I remember how I wouldn't order until either Esme Charlton or Mrs. Sibley served me, as they would always put extra flavouring on, just for me.
My parents Laurie and Marge bought a milk bar cafe, it was situated between Pacific Hotel (Tweed Pub), the old Tweed Police Station and the Court House opposite the "Jack Evans BoatHarbour." Back then Twin Towns Services Club didn't exist, so my father and a few of his mates like Jack Evans, Bluey Ranson, Tom Burke, Mick Winders, Bill Grant Snr and other men would pitch a tent after mass on Sunday's and have a few beers, play ballgames and raise a few bucks towards the R.S.L.
At Christmas and Easter the sideshow would come to town and take up the area from the 'Border Camping Grounds' down to where Tweed Mall stands today.
During these times my father and grandfather would pitch a huge tent beside the café and stage fights just like 'Jimmy Sharman's Boxing Show' at the "Ekka".
There would be a plank platform out the front of the tent and locals such as; Tom Green, The Corawas and Morgans along with a few guys like Vince "Bluey" Soorley would all parade around to the beat of a drum with boxing gloves waiting to take on any and all challengers.
Somebody from the crowd, a Cane Cutter or "Cow Cocky", would start the excitement by shouting "I'll fight you for five quid" and every so often somebody would put in a bid to fight my old man.
I can remember the shout "What about Laurie, ten quid says I can beat you" Dad never turned down a challenge except if the opponent had just been kicked out drunk from the neighbouring pubs. I never saw Dad get beaten.
The morning of June 20th 1964, I awoke to find a birthday present at the end of my bed, pair of board shorts, the same design red and yellow that 'Fabian' wore in the surf movie "Ride the Wild Surf'.
They were custom made from 'His and Her's Surf Wear' at Coolangatta, ran by Syd Aspinall and Mr Lindsay.
They were fantastic, but I also had wished for what my brothers Phil and Rob were riding 9'ft 6'sJoe Larkin and Graeme Merrin's surfboards at the time and that's what I wanted more than anything, my own board.
I didn't know when I left for school my wish would still come true.
I arrived home that afternoon to find a brand new custom-made 7ft 6' Mick Carey, shaped by top Currumbin surfer Eddy Sawden.
It was unreal state of the art for 1964, as the shortest boards were 8ft 6", up to Johnny Charlton's Kirra Hire Boards" that were loft plus planks.
One night in early 1960's my mother Marge drove my brothers to a Kirra meeting that was held in the ladies toilets of the Kirra Kiosk.
She asked about membership for me and was told by Johnny Charlton and Len Flaherty that because of my age and the fact that -I couldn't swim very well, I was considered a bit of a liability, but would be considered as a type of mascot. Looking back that didn't worry me.
My Nan made me some new boardshorts in the club colours. Received a Kirra badge in a blue and orange diamond shape with the letter's KSC sewn on it, still have that badge today.
Mum and Dad would take it in turns taking us to Kirra contests in our Holden Station wagon.
The top part of the tail gate was always up, with surfboards sticking out the back, three brothers and any members who needed a lift, but as I said I was considered as too much of a risk to compete and I only had enjoyment trying to save boards from getting smashed on the rocks.
late 1964 the word was out that Tweed Board manufacturer Graeme Merrin, Peter Turner and some other locals were starting a new club called Snapper Rocks. There was a vibe in the air from surfers who lived in the back woods of South Tweed, Fingal, and Kingscliff, who preferred not to go past Coolangatta to surf.
I remember my first meeting at the newly formed club that was held at Dance Land (later Micas Pool Hall and Jack Meekins Jet Club), which was situated between "Gerald Conaghans Capital Picture Theatre", "Gerald's TV Shop" and the" Diamond Room' a classy restaurant for those days.
The meetings went straight over my head but the committee and members who would frequent our shop would keep Mum and Dad informed.
My brothers Phil and Rob were members of Kirra Surfriders and I, now a traitor, being member of Snapper.
After meetings members from both clubs would come back to Gills Cafe eat hamburgers, drink milkshakes, shoot pool and play the pinball's.
Snapper just like Kirra had its stars, Robye & Wayne Deane, we all know what a great surfer Wayne has always been, but some people wouldn't know that Robye was just as good, along with Jeff "Bully" Arnold who had a special Merrin Surfboard model named in his honour. Many years later while competing in the QLD Titles at Alexander Headland on the Sunshine Coast, I came across one of these old boards at a BBQ. I Explained to the owner, Rob Caldow how I knew" Bully's and offered him money to buy the board.
Bob and his wife Jan were nice people and gave me the board to present to Bully. When I arrived home Bully was stoked by the gesture and we celebrated over a beer. I also remember guys like Rod Everson, Rodney Goober Barnes, Tony White, Terry "Weeny"Baker, Neil and Peter Turner, Robbie Pearce, George Hopkens, Bruce Perriott, Bill Bolman, JohnWale, Dennis Gawler, Jim Gawler, Dennis Yates, Billyand Peter Grant, Larry Bache, Bruce Glazebrook,Peter and Tim Bryant, Peter Dory, Greg Celladoni,Warren Markwell, Alan Miscamble, Ross Suter, Scott Carter and many of the fine surfers.
And not to forget the lovely ladies of Kirra. The Charlton sisters with Carol going on to take honors at State and National level, while Snapper had the very talented Phyllis O'Donnell who won a World Championship, also the beautiful Cherie Yates would have blokes paddling in circles, Josette was another fine athlete and Rhonda surfed unreal also.
1972 saw six of Qld's top schoolboy board riders compete in the National Titles in Sydney.
.It was during this time I entered my first State Titles at the age of eight at Burleigh Heads, I was still riding my birthday board of which I had trouble carrying. In the past "Rabbit" or some of my mates would grab one end or I would fold a towel and get mum and dad to lift it onto my head.
Rodney Severson a very talented surfer and fisherman was the mate that helped me carry my board across the Burleigh Rocks at the State Titles so I could paddle out with the rest of the competitors. My swimming had improved, thanks to the help of Jack Evans who trained me at his old porpoise pool at Snapper Rocks. I didn't make it into the final but was congratulated by Snowy McAlister, I was very popular with everyone after being presented with a 24 block box of Ampol Wax.
In Kirra I witnessed a very fiery meeting in the ladies change rooms at the Kirra Kiosk. It was over election of offices, on one side of the room there was champion surfer Peter Townend running for Presidency, naturally Peter had a good following, as did another champion the legend Michael Peterson, who I don't think really wanted the job but ran just for the joy of beating Peter.
There was a lot of animosity between both sides, a few joints had been smoked and a few beers swilled, some punches were thrown and scuffles broke out. In the late 1960's Kirra was considered one of the strongest Surfriding Clubs in Australia and possibly the World due to the fact we had Michael Peterson, Peter Townend and Wayne" Rabbit" Bartholomew all on the same surfing team, not to forget other strong members and up coming young champs.
Today It's Thursday 21st September 2000 and I have just received a phone call from a good friend George Hopkins telling me of the passing of my old mate Johnny Charlton, it was a call I knew was coming, with tears in my eyes, I find it hard to keep writing, I try shaking my head drying my eyes, but to write anymore is impossible all that enters my mind is fond memories of Johnny.
John Charlton who has gone to his beloved Esme and other very fine people of his time, including my mum and dad.
I look back as far as I can remember,
I see them all, a hidden treasure that the ocean and waves has unveiled for a time,
a treasure I will remember until my time comes.
Kerry Gill