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Newspapers : 1950.
1949
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1951
Introduction.
The Sun
Sydney, 6 January 1950, page 10.

Any hot weekend, Bondi Beach attracts more than Miam
By :
GEORGE H. JOHNSTON

AUSTRALIA'S most famous beach seems to be getting itself in the dog-house again.
Civic authorities and police are worried at the behaviour of certain people at Bondi.
Hardened surfers are disgruntled by the fact that they've scarcely seen a decent surf there since the early days of summer.
People in search of gentle relaxation rarely go to Bondi any more at weekend; aesthetes deplore the presence on the sands of
countless hundreds of portable radios; oldsters look down their noses at the antics of the Cornel Wilde boys and their bobby-soxer friends; Xenophobes talk cuttingly of . "too many foreigners"; and it seems that most of the people one meets are always saying, "You wouldn't get me down to Bondi Beach with a barge pole!"
Yet despite all this, Bondi persists in remaining the most popular beach in Australia and one of the most spectacular in the world.
Between now and the end of the summer, probably between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 Australians (and New Australians), and almost all our overseas visitors, will have made the trek out to Bondi.
In a given summer season, Bondi Beach handles considerably more people than Miami Beach (Florida), plus Waikiki Beach (Honolulu).
In fact, in terms of popularity, it is probably exceeded by only two beaches in the world— Coney Island and Jones Beach, both of
which cater during summer for New York City's heat-stricken millions.
Bondi is, of course, an infinitely better beach than either of these.
That is probably not surprising — as a beach, Bondi would be hard to excel anywhere — but what is perhaps surprising, at least to our nose-wrinkling aesthetes, is the fact that the built-up area of Bondi's background in spite of hideous rashes of flats and some of Sydney's most scrofulous architecture — is at least no more raucous and unlovely than either Coney Island or Jones
Beach.
It is probably, in fact, considerably better!
It has, in addition, the famous Bondi Promenade.
Comparing this with Coney Island's equally famous Boardwalk is rather like comparing caviare with corned beef.
It has also several less tangible advantages over America's  major beaches.
The first — and most obvious to the bulk of our foreign visitors — is the extreme physical beauty of so many of Bondi's beach-
lovers.
While admittedly one can see, at any week-end, 10,000 excellent living reasons why homo sapiens is a clothes- wearing animal, one can also see more magnificent-looking men and beautiful girls than you could find by dredging through all the lots of Hollywood.
The second is that the manners of Australian beachgoers, even at Bondi; are very considerably better than one will find on any
similar beach in the USA.
As an example, take a look at the fair spin always given at Bondi to toddlers and infants, even on the most crowded days.
A hot day at Coney Island, on the other hand, must be seen to be believed!
The third is that Bondi Beach is essentially a good-natured beach— a rare thing on any stretch of sand which absorbs large crowds.
And the fourth is that Bondi has powers of recuperation after a heavy day that are positively amazing.
Considering its size and I the number of people who use it, the sand is usually remarkably clean.
It is, in fact, in many ways, the cleanest beach we have in spite of contrary opinions.
During the summer, gangs of workmen arrive shortly after dawn; rubbish is gathered, and generally a bulldozer turns over the sand to a depth of nine inches.
Cleaning up the litter left by 50,000 people is no small task— but it is done.
This statement, of course, disregards the sewage outfall, which has been the bete noir of Bondi people for years, and the stormwater drain, which unaccountably spills its dirty water and rubbish across the southern end of the beach.
In time, perhaps, something will be done here also.
However, one is forced again to make the comparison with Bondi's rival beaches in point of size.
Medical reports have revealed that New York's beaches, because of sewage pollution, are much more dangerous to health than
Bondi.
Coney Island is washed by polluted water containing a high percentage of infantile paralysis and typhoid viruses.
Microscopic examination of water taken from there recently showed a pro portion varying between 2400 and 11,000 intestinal
bacteria to the mouthful!
It would be interesting to compare this with an analysis of the Bondi water.
Bondi Beach, in any event, still goes on being Bondi Beach.
Its history in recent years has been a series of minor crises — the sewage outfall, the French swim-suits, the larrikinism of visitors, the behavior of the Cornel Wilde boys, the stormwater drain, the menace of the surf-ski riders, the sweeping away of the
sands by fierce storms, shark scares, and the activities of perverts.
However, if it's a good weekend, there'll be at least 50,000 people on Bondi's sands tomorrow.
Most of them will have read and talked about this catalogue of perils and menaces/ but they'll still be there, any way.
You will see:-
The acrobats in their tight satin trunks doing their back-flips and hand stands with a calculated air of shy modesty.
The harrassed fathers standing at the water's edge vigilantly watching excited children.
The mahogany-skinned men who have worked twice as hard as necessary all through the winter so they can have a five months'
summer holiday and spend every sunlit hour of it on Bondi Beach.
The young holding hands furtively beneath an "igloo" or a "wigwam."
The swaggering, American-looking teenagers, with their Pompadour haircuts and their blue denim trousers rolled up.
And up and down the promenade will be endlessly strolling the pretty little chicks who look as if they've been poured into
their satin lastex moulds before leaving' home.
They'll be walking in a certain way, with a certain expression in their eyes.
They'll be playing the oldest game in the world— a game as old as Eve, and in a costume scarcely more substantial.
Bondi, for all that any body says, still has a curious habit of always being itself.
They've got everything at Bondi — sun, water, sand, youth, beauty, glowing health.
Shirley West, Norma Henderson, Jody Worrad find life good on the beach.

Trove
 1950 'Any hot weekend, Bondi Beach attracts more than Miami', The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), 6 January, p. 10. (LATE FINAL EXTRA), viewed 01 Jan 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230702064
The Argus 
Melbourne, Wednesday 11 January 1950, page 5.

BRINGING BACK the surfboard, with two pretty assistants, at Lorne.


How to claim awards
An award of £5 will be made to the person nominated in "The Picture of the Day"
and an award of £2 will be made to all other persons whose heads are circled.











Trove
1950 'HAPPY PEOPLE HAVE FUN ON HOLIDAYS.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), 11 January, p. 5, viewed 7 April, 2013, 
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22803885
The Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday 1 February 1950, page 5.

ACTION BY SURFERS
Lifesavers Suspended

Judge Curlewis said last night that the N.S.W. Surf Life-saving Association would not tolerate "larrikinism or abuse of officials at surf carnivals."
Judge Curlewis, as chairman of the N.S.W.SLL.S.A., was commenting on the suspension of four surfers by the executive of the Sydney branch of the S.L.S.A.
F. Serge Denman (Bronte Club) was suspended until the end of the season for misconduct.
It was alleged Denman had thrown watermelons indiscriminately during the carnival.
Former Australian champion surfboard rider Keith Hurst (North Bondi) was suspended until January 31 next year for abusing officials and insisting upon competing in an event when he was told he was not entered.
Queenscliff junior membet, Trevor Horton, was charged for misrepresentation when he reported to the judges that his name was J. Lawrence, after the novice surf race at Freshwater on Monday.

RIGHT OF APPEAL
The fourth man was B. Lake, of Bondi, who had been charged with disregarding officials and not leaving the swimming area with his surfboard during the Manly carnival last Saturday.
Horton was suspended until January next year and Lake until September 30 this year.

Trove

1950 'ACTION BY SURFERS.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 1 February, p. 5, viewed 6 April, 2013,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18145843
The Daily Telegraph
1 March 1950, page 6.
MICHAEL WILDING'S ... life story, Part 4.
Australia was fascinating, especially the surf.

ANTHONY PELISSIER suggested that I should join him and his mother, Fay Compton, on their stage tour of Australia and New Zealand. (1937–38)
...
Always in love with swimming,- I found the surf bathing marvellous and like a fool I went way out to sea with the best bathers, who were body-surfing and disdained a surfboard.
Timing one of these breakers was a tricky thing to do and as I missed five out of six of them I ran a double risk from the sharks.

Trove
1950 'MICHAEL WILDING'S life story...4', The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), 1 March, p. 6. , viewed 12 Sep 2019,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article248686404
The Argus
Melbourne, Thursday 16 March 1950. page 3.

Jet board to speed surf saves.
SYDNEY, Wed.:
A. Dubbo man, Mr. Edward Wansey, has designed a jet-propelled surfboard for life savers to use in surf rescues.
Mr. Wansey said today that compressed air bottles would power the board.
Judge Curlewis, president of the Surf Life-saving Association, said tonight that the association was willing to test Mr. Wansey's suggestion.
He said: "Quite often seconds are the difference between life and death in surf rescues.
"If a mechanically propelled board could be rushed to a man threatened by sharks or in difficulties, the time saved would be invaluable."

Trove
1950 'Jet board to speed surf saves.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), 16 March, p. 3, viewed 6 April, 2013,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22816588
The South Coast Express
Surfers Paradise, Queensland, 31 March 1950, page 7.
He Makes Surf Boards For The Champions

George Conway, of Severn Street, Maroubra Bay, who is visiting Coolangatta for the Australian Surf Lifesaving championships, made most of the surf boards that will be used by visiting and local champions in the surf board races at Easter.
George, who is a duco sprayer by trade, said yesterday that he began making surf boards as a hobby ten years ago.

Now lie is recognised as possibly the best constructor of boards in Australia.
He made the double board that Cartaar and Palmer used when they won the Branch championship for Greenmount recently.
He also delivered boards to Bob Barrett and Ritchie Johnson of Greenmount Club a few weeks ago.

He said yesterday that it took him three weeks to make a double surf ski, working only in his spare time.
He made two boards in a week, also only by spare time work.

The boards are made of coachwood and waterproof ply.
They have spruce or maple sides.

George and his wife drove to Greenmount in their Ford de Luxe utility, which George with his genius for woodwork has converted into a station waggon.

Trove
1950 'He Makes Surf Boards For The Champions', The South Coast Express (Surfers Paradise, Qld. : 1949 - 1951), 31 March, p. 7. , viewed 29 May 2019,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226282575
Smith's Weekly
Sydney, 6 May 1950, page 30.
"I say, old man, you'll have to take that into the surfboard area!"





Trove
1950 'No title', Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950), 6 May, p. 30. , viewed 12 Sep 2019,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235988274
The Sun
Sydney, 6 August 1950, page 59.
Summer fun takes toll of film stars
FROM GUY AUSTIN
HOLLYWOOD, Saturday.
SUMMER weekend sporting activities of the stars have been causing a heavy toll of accidents.
Peter Lawford was tossed off a surfboard riding the waves at Malibu.
He reported on the Royal Wedding set at MGM on Monday taped from the shoulders to the hips.
 .
Trove
1950 'Summer fun takes toll of film stars', The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), 6 August, p. 59. , viewed 20 Nov 2016,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230931126
The Newcastle Sun
7 August 1950, page 7.
WINTER CONTRASTS

Bob Tonsen tried out his new surfboard at Newcastle Beach.
He found the water 'extra cold.'






 Trove
1950 'WINTER CONTRASTS', The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), 7 August, p. 7. , viewed 20 Nov 2016,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157873150
The Daily News
Perth, Tuesday 5 September 1950, page 5.

Kangaroo Star Will Bring His Surfboards

HOLLYWOOD, Mon (AAP) :
Film actor Peter Lawford (pictured below) said today that he was looking forward to 'one of the best times of my life' on his forthcoming trip to Australia to star in the Twentieth Century Fox production Kangaroo.
...
The 26-year-old British-born actor said one reason why he was relishing the visit was that he had lived in Sydney for nearly a year when a boy and had kept in touch with many friends there.
...
The lean six-footer, who is a surfing fanatic, will take a couple of surfboards with him.
Lawford said he planned a month's holiday in Australia after the film was completed.
Shooting is scheduled to start in the middle of October and will take about four months.

Trove
1950 'Kangaroo Star Will Bring His Surfboards.', The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950), 5 September, p. 5 Edition: FINAL, viewed 6 April, 2013,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article84481836
The Sun
Sydney, 9 September 1950, page 30.
Lest we forget

A dead airman's surfboard will hang in Manly Surf Club as a memorial to former club members who lost their lives during the war.
The board was owned by Geoff. Cohen, who was killed in a flight over Europe.
It was presented to the club by his parents.
On the board the names of members of the club killed in action have been inscribed.
The board, one of the most unique honor rolls in any sporting club, was designed by club member Fred Notting.

Trove
1950 'SPORT - and those who make it', The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), 19 September, p. 30. (LATE FINAL EXTRA), viewed 20 Nov 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230472027
The Sunday Herald
Sunday 24 September 1950, page 5.

Surfboard Duo
(Photograph)

Katrina Schenken, of Killara, and Peter Wakefield, of North Bondi, took advantage of yesterday's sunshine to "shoot" a few waves at Bondi Beach on a surf-board.
But soon after this picture was taken a storm drove everybody from the beach.
The Sydney Morning Herald
25 September 1950, page 9.
 
LIFESAVERS MAKE READY

 The roof of North Bondi Lifesaving Club was a busy spot yesterday morning as members prepared equipment for the surfing season.
 Club captain H. D. Murphy (right) is holding a belt and line as it is reeled in by K. Richards.
 In the background G. Turnbull paints another reel while F. Pike spins the drum for him.

 Trove
1950 'LIFESAVERS MAKE READY', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 25 September, p. 9. , viewed 19 Nov 2016,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18180479
The Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday 2 November 1950, page 1.

Actor Arrives To Shouts Of "Isn't He Lovely"

Two hundred "bobby soxers" cheered and mobbed Peter Lawford, the Hollywood actor, when he arrived by air from the United States last night
to play the leading role in the 20th Century Fox film "Kangaroo."

Excited teenage girls waved frantically as Lawford, wearing a full beard, walked down the gangway from a B.C.P.A. airliner and into the Customs room.
...
Lawford brought a light surf board, which he hopes to use at Bondi before going to South Australia, where the film will be made.
He expects to stay three or four months in Australia.

["I do a lot of board riding in California, and I've heard it's quite a big sport here," he said.
Barrier Miner, Broken Hill, Friday 3 November 1950, page 2]

Trove
1950 'Actor Arrives To Shouts Of "Isn't He Lovely".', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 2 November, p. 1, viewed 28 March, 2013,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18184253
The Sun
Sydney, 2 November 1950, page 9.
ACTOR'S SIDEBURNS STEAL THE SHOW

Hollywood actor, Richard Boone, 33, looking villainous in side-burn whiskers, which stretched from behind his ears to a heavy moustache, stole the show from visiting film star Peter Lawford, 27, at a Press conference today.
Mr. Boone was surrounded by admiring women reporters, impressed by his quiet charm.
Both actors arrived from the USA last night by plane to play in the 20th Century-Fox production Kangaroo, which will be filmed in South Australia.
Both men said they had been at a party last night, Lawford sipped milk.
"I had a heavy, night," he said.
After a quick breakfast of toast and orange juice, the two men shaved off their beards later in the morning.
Australian film star Chips Rafferty, who will also play in Kangaroo, produced a photograph of the immense beard and long locks he had worn in Eureka Stockade.
"You blokes couldn't do as good as that," he said.
Lawford then produced a photo of himself wearing an impressive beard.
Lawford, who slipped away from the party to show a surfing enthusiast his surf board, said, he will be surfing at Bondi "first thing" tomorrow morning.
"You got a guy here called Bob Dyer,, who is a champion big-game fisherman?" he said.
"Guess I'll look him up too."

Trove
1950 'ACTOR'S SIDEBURNS STEAL THE SHOW', The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954), 2 November, p. 9. (LATE FINAL EXTRA), viewed 19 Nov 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230348633
The Mail
Adelaide, Saturday 4 November 1950, page 2.
3,000 TEEN-AGERS WRITE TO STAR

Sydney, Saturday. —
Since Hollywood actor, Peter Lowford, arrived in Australia three days ago he has had more than 3,000 letters from teenage fans.
Lawford has been mobbed by teenagers every day since he arrived.
It has been estimated more than 15.000 girls between the ages of 12 and 18 have made special trips to catch a glimpse of either him or fellow actor Richard Boone, who arrived with Lawford.
Both actors have received dozens of offers of marriage.

Lawford and Boone were bearded when they arrived by air at Mascot, where they were mobbed for the first time.
They shaved off all except their moustaches and side burns before their press conference on Thursday.
'He's got a beard, but I'd love him, anyway,'1 screamed one excited girl,- nearly falling over the rails of the visitors' enclosure, when Lawford first stepped from the plane at Mascot.
The 27-year-old actor will play the .role of an English villain, who goes to an out back station and reforms, in the 20th Century-Pox Film 'Kangaroo.'
Boone will take the part of a gambler.
Lawford said he had been growing the beard for two months and had to shave it off a few days before he left for Australia, because MGM wanted to retake a portion of the film, 'Royal Wedding.'
It had just begun to grow again when he received a radio gram to shave it off the day before his arrival.
Had 'heavy night'

Lawford and Boone were met by the director of 'Kangaroo' (Lewis Milestone), the assistant producer (Robert Snody), and actor Chips Rafferty.
They attended a party on Wednesday night and both admitted next morning they had had a 'heavy night.'
Lawford brought with him from America a 10-ft. solid balsa surf board.
He said he intended to try it out at Bondi.
'You got a guy here called Bob Dyer, who is a champion big-game fisherman
Guess I'll look him up. too,' he added.
The actors will be in Sydney for a .month before they go 'on location' to Port Augusta.
Their stay in Australia will probably last three or four months.
When asked about rumors suggesting a romance with Sharman Douglas, daughter of the former US Ambassador to Britain, Lawford denied he had proposed to her.
He said: 'We are just good friends. I've known her family a long time."

Trove
1950 '3,000 TEEN-AGERS WRITE TO STAR', The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), 4 November, p. 2. , viewed 19 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55852544
Kiama Independent
Wednesday 15 November 1950, page 5.

FOR SALE-
One large red Cedar Table, Kitchen Dresser, large rubber surf-o-plane, doll's stroller.
 - Apply E. Parrish, Tullock's Farm, Phone Gerringong 56.

Trove
1950 'Advertising.', Kiama Independent (NSW : 1947 - 1954), 15 November, p. 5, viewed 7 December, 2013,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100829122
The Sydney Morning Herald
Monday 13 November 1950, page 1.

SURF EXPERT MAKES THE SPORT LOOK EASY
[Photograph]

Beach inspector, John Carter, made surf-board riding look easy as he rode a breaker at Bronte.
Perfect balance and steering were needed to guide the board to the beach.

Trove
1950 'SURF EXPERT MAKES THE SPORT LOOK EASY.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 13 November, p. 1, viewed 6 April, 2013,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18185946
Mirror
Perth, Saturday 25 November 1950, page 9.

'Don 't Want To Be That Poor Guy Flynn '

They say they're just pals — nothing more.
Pictured above are Honolulu girl Jeanne McDonald and film star Peter Lawford snapped in Sydney this week.
Lawford has been showing the sights of the Bridge City to pretty, vivacious Jeanne, who is a reporter on a Honolulu newspaper.
Aged 20, Jeanne has accompanied Lawford to night spots and to surfing beaches but denied that she came to Australia specially to see him.
She says there is no romantic link between them.
Lawford agrees, 'Jeanne is a wonderful girl and good company but we're no more than good friends.

'I don't want to be like that poor guy Flynn who gets tabbed every time he takes a girl out,' added Lawford, who is in Australia to play the male lead in the 20th Century-Fox film 'Kangaroo.'

Trove
1950 'Don't Want To Be Like That Poor Guy Flynn'.', Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 - 1956), 25 November, p. 9, viewed 6 April, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75614508
The Australian Women's Weekly
Saturday 25 November 1950, page 17.

Peter Lawford learns two-up for film role
...
Looking very fit, with his dark hair streaked with gold, Lawford said his favorite sport was surfing.
"I don't care what the local boys here say, I'm going to give my balsa board a ride in your surf," he said.
"I've been working so hard, I haven't had a chance yet.
The only day we went to Bondi the sea was flat as a pancake."
Lawford said the night spots, beaches, and beautiful girls in Sydney reminded him of America.

Trove
1950 'Peter Lawford learns two-up for film role.', The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), 25 November, p. 17, viewed 6 April, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article55191613
The Australian Women's Weekly
Saturday 30 December 1950, pages 24-25.

At the Sea

HONOLULU BEACH WEAR brought back from abroad is worn by Mrs. Ian Potter and her daughter snapped on beach near Sandringham. Vic, when they come ashore from their 46ft. launch, Nordecia.
...
SOUVENIR OF HOLIDAY at Honolulu are the colorful shirts worn by Mr. and Mrs. John Carr (right), which they wear at Palm Beach.
...
ENJOYING THE BREAKERS. 
Judith Ann Ingoldby (right [page 25]) with her surfboard at Moana Beach, S.A.
Judith has recently returned from trip to Europe and England.


Trove
1950 'By the Sea.', The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), 30 December, p. 24, viewed 6 April, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47806297
1949
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1951
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home catalogue history references appendix
Geoff Cater (2011-2016) : Newspapers : 1950.
http://www.surfresearch.com.au/1950_Newspapers.html