A lifesaving legend of Wollongong: meet Leo Tobin
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Wollongong has a rich history when it comes to surf lifesaving. The North Wollongong Surf Lifesaving Club, founded in January 1908 at North Wollongong Beach, was instrumental in ensuring the safety of beach-goers and promoting the spirit of camaraderie that thrives in the region. allcare client Leo Tobin, a lifelong Wollongong resident, is a prominent figure within the Surf Club, embodying the values of courage, commitment, and community that define surf lifesaving.
Born in Wollongong in April 1938, Leo’s journey with the Surf Club began in 1952 at the age of 14, when he joined as a cadet. In his early years, Leo carried out the tasks assigned by the senior members, but he found his true calling in the water, where he spent most of his time swimming and surfing. It was his natural affinity for the ocean that would set the stage for an extraordinary career in surf lifesaving.
At 16, Leo earned his Bronze Medallion, a significant milestone in his surf lifesaving journey. In his first year as a junior, he secured the state title at the Surf Lifesaving Championship, cementing his local hero status. His expertise led him overseas to places such as New Zealand and Peru, where he taught lifesaving techniques and rescue craft training. It was in Peru in 1977 that Leo’s dedication and bravery gained global recognition with the World Lifesaving Special Achievement Award, earned for rescuing two individuals on two separate occasions in a single day—a truly exceptional display of selflessness.
In his years at the North Wollongong Surf Lifesaving Club, Leo engaged in numerous rescue missions along North Beach. He vividly recalls one of his most significant rescues took place on New Year’s Day in 1956 when he saved a man swept from Brighton Beach to the rocks near the Continental Pool. A surfer assisted the distressed man onto his board, and Leo, along with fellow lifesavers, reached the scene to save his life, a heroic act that made headlines in the Sydney Telegraph. Interestingly, it was Leo’s own family who were taken by surprise. His father returned from work, unaware of the rescue, exclaiming, “You didn’t say anything about being in a rescue yesterday, and I went to work, and they were all talking about it, and I didn’t know anything about it.” Leo responded, “I came home and told ya,” and his mother playfully quipped, “You did tell us, but you have one every day, so we didn’t take any notice of it.”
Leo’s lifesaving feats were so frequent that his family had grown accustomed to his daily acts of heroism.
The North Wollongong Surf Lifesaving Club has always been more than just a place of duty and responsibility; it has been a social hub for its members. Leo says, Sunday evenings were traditionally reserved for dances, with live bands and a DJ who had hundreds of records.
Leo’s contributions extended beyond his lifesaving feats. He devoted a significant portion of his life to the North Wollongong Surf Lifesaving Club, serving as its secretary for a decade. His dedication and leadership qualities led him to ascend through the ranks, eventually becoming the President of the Surf Club for three years, despite his humble claims that he assumed the position primarily because no one else wanted to.
The North Wollongong Surf Lifesaving Club, like Leo, has evolved over the years, adapting to changing times and ideals. Initially maledominated, the club embraced inclusivity in the 1980s, acknowledging that lifesaving knows no gender boundaries. The community itself played a pivotal role in the club’s evolution, with members taking it upon themselves to renovate and extend the facility in the early 1990s.
While Leo has taken a step back, his legacy continues to inspire the next generation of surf lifesavers, encouraging them to lead with their vision and values. Leo’s incredible journey and enduring commitment have left a lasting mark, embodying the spirit of courage, dedication, and community in the coastal haven of Wollongong. He offers sage advice to those who follow in his footsteps, encouraging them to lead the club in a way that aligns with their vision and values. In Leo’s words, the North Wollongong Surf Lifesaving Club is a reflection of its members, and its future is in their capable hands.