| Meeting our Members: Don McKirdy Don McKirdy joined the lifesaving club as a 13-year-old in the mid-1940s at the suggestion of his boss at the local dry cleaners, who covered the 10-shilling membership fee. This was when the lifesaving club was at its previous location near the end of Dendy Street. Don has fond memories of training to become competent in the various skills needed to be a lifesaver. He was at the club a couple of nights each week to first undertake training under the supervision of John Worrall, and then to assist with the training of other members once he was qualified, after John left the lifesaving club to set up anew club at Anglesea. Once qualified with his bronze medallion as a 15-year-old,Don was able to participate in patrols of a weekend during summer and autumn and compete in life saving carnivals. He remembers that the lack of beach at the old club location made training for carnivals very difficult. As the water almost reached the bathing boxes, the club was limited in what competitions it could host. A combination of moving the location of the club after the origin alone burnt down, and pumping of sand to reclaim sections of beach made training and hosting carnivals much easier. The ladies team at the time were state champions and the men’s team were also very good – but could not seem to be at the team from the life saving club located at the Esplanade which had some terrific swimmers! Don introduced his wife Irma to the lifesaving club in themid-1950s – she loved to spend time at the beach as it was not something she was used to coming from inland Germany. Attending club dances dressed in their finery, with a carrier bag containing their drinks for the evening as it was BYO, is another fond memory Don has of his time at the club. Don and Irma’s participation at the lifesaving club reduced after they moved to Spotswood, but a visit to the club after the couple moved to Box Hill following acquisition of their house for the West Gate freeway rekindled Don and Irma’s involvement. After that time, Don and Irma were back at the club most weekends throughout summer. Don and Irma were involved in the club in various roles including on the committee (including Don serving as Vice President) and in the kitchen (Irma). After their time in official capacities at the club had ended, Don and Irma enjoyed popping into the club to catch up with friends and enjoy a cup of coffee and picnic on the beach. Don was awarded the Royal Life Saving Society recognition badge in recognition of valuable services rendered to the Society in 1983 and the Royal Life Saving Society Service Cross around the same time. Don remembers receiving the Service Cross very clearly as it required him to visit Parliament House to receive the award. Don also received various medals and awards as listed below:
- Bronze Medallion: 1947, 1948-49, 1949-50, 1950-51, 1952-53, 5th bar.
- Reel and line: 1949-50, 1950-51, 1952-53, 1953-54, 5th bar.
- Bronze star: 1948, 1949-1950, 1950-51, 1951-52.
- Intermediate star: 1954.
- Award of Merit. | 
