Australia’s Centenary of Australian Surfing Photography 1911 – 2011 Exhibition

The Yamba Museum has the privilege of hosting and celebrating Australia’s Centenary of Australian Surfing Photography Exhibition commencing from the 3rd December for two months.

The exhibition has taken 18 months in the planning and has over 70 Australian professional and amateur photographers contributing their work to form the historic collection (100 images) that will be gifted to the Yamba Museum at the end of the exhibition.

Coordinator Debrah Novak says, “I am very happy with the extent of the photographic contributions. Some of the many highlights include:-

• First female surfer Isabel Letham with the Duke at Freshie
• The headless McTavish
• Andy Irons, Layne Beachley and Kelly Slater
• Kamikaze photographers at Cyclops and Shipsterns
• Classic Bobby Brown and a very stylish John Skipp
• Blood and Guts with the Byron Bay wharf intact circa 1963, shot on a box brownie
  Contribution from an 11 year old

Also a display of vintage and retro camera gear and cover photos from 1st Surfing World and Surf About Magazines”.

The newest museum display Ride the Wild Surf coincides with the exhibition A Click in Time. It depicts the local surfing scene from the 1960s, an amazing period that tested the conservatism of a small fishing village to becoming mainstream and part of our beach culture.

It began when a young and rebellious generation infuriated surf club officials, disappointed parents, captivated the media with their bad attitudes, fiberglass boards, rock ‘n’ roll, cars and drugs.

Part of the appeal was that surfing was a new sport that was enjoyed individually with the convergence of adrenaline and skill while hanging out with friends and adopting a very social and unique lifestyle. For many surfing was a way of life.

Very few museums or individuals are dedicated to preserving surfing’s history, therefore finding surfboards and related material to help preserve our own beach culture and surfing history was challenging until local surfer Trevor Skinner agreed to loan a portion of his collection to the museum for this display. Each photograph and surfboard has its own special memories and history that represents the beginning of the golden era to ride the wild surf.

Open:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am-2pm Saturday and Sunday 2pm - 4.30pm

Exhibition Entry:
$5 proceeds will be donated to the Yamba Museum and Disability Surfers Association.