Historic day for local surfing community
Ballina Mayor Phillip Silver, National Surfing Reserves founder and chairman Brad Farmer (blue jeans, sitting), NSW Minister for Lands Tony Kelly (holding booklet) and surfing legend Michael Peterson (blue Rip Curl shirt) with some of the local surfing crew at the Lennox National Surfing Reserve dedication day.
History was made last Saturday at Pat Morton Lookout at Lennox Headland when the Lennox National Surfing Reserve was dedicated as the largest in Australia.
New South Wales Minister for Lands Tony Kelly made the announcement when he joined National Surfing Reserves founder and chairman Brad Farmer, Ballina Shire Mayor Phillip Silver, local surfers, surfing legends and community members in declaring the area from the south side of Flat Rock through to Lennox Main Beach as the Lennox National Surfing Reserve.
“Lennox’s natural beauty and surf breaks rank it alongside Bells Beach and Angourie National Surfing Reserve as Australia’s best-known surf destinations, so it’s fitting it should be protected as a National Surfing Reserve,” Mr Kelly said.
Mr Kelly said the reserve stretched 7.5km from Flat Rock to Lennox, and included about 400 hectares.
The original proposal put forward last June was for the world-famous Lennox Point to be declared a surfing reserve. But local surfing ‘elders’ wanted the area from Flat Rock to Lennox Main Beach included because those breaks were surfed before Lennox Point.
The National Surfing Reserves committee and the NSW Department of Lands accepted the revised proposal, much to the delight of the local surfing community. The decision means that Lennox National Surfing Reserve is the third region in Australia to be declared a surfing reserve.
The threat of rain failed to deter a large crowd from attending Saturday’s dedication ceremony at Pat Morton Lookout at Lennox Point, which began with a Welcome to Country by Bundjalung Elder Aunty Bertha Kapeen and an Aboriginal dance performance by Ballina High School students.
Cr Silver took the opportunity to continue the Sorry Day theme of the Australian Parliament last Wednesday, saying that if Federal Parliament could apologise to the Stolen Generations at a national level, there was no reason he could not apologise at a local level. It was a move which was warmly greeted by all in attendance.
Speakers at the ceremony included Ballina man Barry Regan, who is regarded as one of, if not the first, to surf Lennox Point. He and his mate Peter Bannister visited Lennox Head in March 1958. They paddled their old-fashioned ‘matchstick’ wooden boards out in front of where the Lennox pub now stands, and then, noticing a good eight-foot surf at Lennox Point, paddled over to headland and continued their surfing.
Other speakers included Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, who is head of the ASP World Tour and a former world champion; Chris Brock, a surfer at the Point for 30 years; and National Surfing Reserves founder Brad Farmer.
A bronze commemorative plaque at the lookout was unveiled.
Also launched on the day was a commemorative booklet which is available online from the reserve website www.lennoxsurfingreserve.com
Although the area has now been dedicated as a National Surfing Reserve, it’s not the end of the matter. Brad O’Connell, who headed up the group which organised the dedication day, said a trust would now be formed and it would have input into the management of the area.
The trust will be established after negotiations between the State Government, Ballina Shire Council and the local community.
Some of the hundreds of people who attended the dedication day and (below) Aboriginal dancers from Ballina High School perform.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
My good mates Baz Cheadle, Fast Eddie Stanfield, Brett “Bodge” Maher, Sparra and Col Mulholland, Wayne Laidlaw, Brad and Phil Myers, Peter “Dean” McBirney and many others to numerous to mention enjoyed what i believe to be the golden years of surfing Lennox from the early 70’s to the mid 80’s and the memories are with me forever. congratulations to all those involved in getting the reserve declared and to see the web site and read the book was a truly moving experience.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
The committee of the Lennox National Surfing Reserve would like to thank all involved in the dedication day on February 16.
The response from the public was great, considering the weather.
We must recognise the work James Brideson and the council boys put in on the day with the help of the Lennox Longboard and All Girls Club.
The co-operation we received from Mayor Phillip Silver and General Manager Paul Hickey was great.
Phillip’s speech of how that area was the last place he surfed before a car accident put him in a wheelchair, touched everybody there.
To Aunty Bertha and the Aboriginal dancers, you really made the day special, in a week that saw the Labor government say sorry to the Stolen Generation. It was also good to see the Mayor confirm our committment to that apology as well.
To Dennis Nattruss for his superb music at the Point and later at the club with members of the Broken Heads, and Mal and the Longboarders, and to newly formed original rockers Stone Mountain, you guys really turned it on, thanks guys.
To the manager and staff of the Lennox Bowling and Recreation Club, thank you for your support.
To Barry Regan, you are a true gentleman of our sport and every young surfer should take the time to speak to Barry, as he is an historic figure in surfing and doesn’t mind a chat either.
Wayne ‘Rabbitt’ Bartholomew, thank you for speaking on the day, you have a long-time connection to the area and confirmed your friendship and commitment to our area by being there. Cheyne Horan was also there showing his support for suring in our area, Cheyne has also experienced the delights of our area over many years.
The legendary MP, Michael Peterson, one of the greats of all time who spent a lot of time surfing Lennox beack in the 70s, made a rare appearance on the day as well, MP you’re a legend.
To Brad Farmer and Professor Andy Short, we thank you for getting the whole reserve movement off the ground which is just the start as we hope to work with Lands Minister Tony Kelly through Lands Department reps Graeme Harding and Dave McPherson to form a trust to look after the area.
We thank Minister Tony Kelly for opening the reserve and for his down-to-earth nature.
To Barry Cheadle, Joy Ford and Chris Brack for their work on the book and to all who supplied the photos.
To all the local boardriding clubs for their support.
We intend to move hell and highwater to get this trust set up and work together with local bodies and concerned Landcare groups to help protect the coastline.
We had a few knockers along the way but take great heart from the support of the people who have backed us.
This was never going to be about anybody’s personal gain and our committee made sure of that and will continue in that direction.
To us is is about the protection of one of the world’s greatest pieces of coastline and the Labor Government of the day has seen fit to recognise what this stretch of coast means to us.
There are no new rules hindering anybody from doing what they normally do in the reserve area, so we wish the knockers would finally realise this and come on board to help in the protection of the area for future generations.
To the local press, radio and newspapers and TV, thanks for your support all through this, and we hope to continue with government, Ballina Council and concerned local groups to respect, share and preserve our surfing reserve.
Check it out on our fantastic website supplied by Dave Beck, thanks Dave, http://www.lennoxsurfingreserve.com
The Lennox National Surfing Reserve Committee