"Memory Lane" Killcare 1946-48

For a young city slicker from LAKEMBA those weekends with Killy surf club were close to “Utopia”, we would leave Central on  the electric and change to the steamer at Hornsby the next 11/2 hrs  with other members for company was always something different. A game of cards, a bottle of “Dirty Annie” (beer) the coal cinders with every tunnel what a way to start the weekend.

Woy Woy station was always a relief, then on to the  ferry for another much cleaner 45 minutes; if we went via the Creek it was another 10 mins. Killcare wharf at last, pick up a few provisions at Moore’s store,  then the hike up that pebbly hill and down the other side to the clubhouse. A dark night, no footpaths, poor street lights, civilisation was yet to reach Killcare.

The clubhouse door was never locked, and by now the hurricane lamp was lit and the bunks (three double) looked inviting, the sound of the surf and a few sleeping potions soon lulled us off to sleep. Saturday morning , bright ,some were, and early it was over to the Beach Shop for breakfast.

About 9-30 or 10.00 Don Whiting was there for boat training, this was seriously hard work in that clinker built tub called “BLUEBOTTLE” the crew of Allan, Syd, Don, Ken and myself would sometimes row round to the bay for training in the “RIP”, no half measures with Don.

The afternoon if there was no carnival could be taken up with R. & R. training, here Georgie Dodd starred in the belt, healthy, why these boy’s could hold their own with any club on the coast, and often did. Saturday night, with female distractions (these day’s called Groupies) a trip to Woy Woy or a concert night on the ferry was most enjoyable.

Sunday was club events, swims, beach events, cracking the occasional boomer in the boat, it was all part of that wonderful time of youth at Killcare, a time of growing up, of friendship, competition and the making for a better man.

I’m sure that many things have changed, but for those of us that are left, these were times to be treasured, many met their wives at Killcare, and some family members still tread our golden sands. Unfortunately the sands of time are running out, so stop and listen those proud echo’s  of the past for they will  always be there, a reminder of the better things in life.

DON GINNS
22/08/2003