We may be a life saving club, but over the years we have had plenty of interesting sports, from rugby and squash teams to pillow fighting champions. Recently we received a note from the daughter of a past member, John Bellden.
His daughter said
“here is a scan of the certificate. My father is the wrestler who has his arm around the other wrestler’s neck, in the photo which has been stuck on the certificate (obviously a newspaper cutting of the event). I have also attached a scan of a photo of my father. I apologise that I do not have a photo of my father in his surf lifesaving bathers. However, I hope that you will be happy with the photo of Dad in his Australian Army uniform in 1942, instead. “
A dig through our member cards showed that John got his Bronze on 25th April 1931.
We haven’t determined who won the tournament!
John Bellden – aged 19 years – Bondi Surf Life Saver – Wrestling tournament 1931
John Reginald Bellden – 1942
Jack Bellden Member card – front
Jack Bellden Member card – back1931 – Wrestling