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History

‘Mullaloo’ an Aboriginal word meaning ‘Place of the Rat Kangaroo’ and ‘Kangaroo Watering Hole’ (thus Kangaroo in Club Logo), is located 20km North of Perth, within the City of Joondalup (previously Shire of Wanneroo).

During the early fifties, the population of the Shire of Wanneroo was only about 2000.

Mullaloo beach was relatively isolated and an unknown rural area, only accessible by bush track. As a result of the secluded nature, during the late sixties and into the seventies fisherman would build small tin shacks along the 4.5 km coastline from Pinaroo point to the Mullaloo beach. This group of pioneers would become the first residents of the area.

The person directly responsible for the idea to form the Mullaloo Surf Lifesaving Club was Tony Martin who was a local policeman and eventually the clubs founding President and Life Member. Historically when the idea to form a surf lifesaving club was announced the local community in Wanneroo objected to the idea, believing it would encourage a bad element that would cause trouble and concern.

During the sixties, Frances John Merrifield purchased the Mullaloo Seaside Gardens from Jack Williams, this area being situated on the grassed area to the left of the current Mullaloo SLSC. Mr Merrifield was a great supporter of the club and donated the first Surf Reel. His foresight was so correct when he predicted that Mullaloo would one day be a suburb of the future and should have a lifesaving club.

Margaret Cockman, (local pioneer) who was awarded the ‘Freeman to the City of Joondalup’ in 2007 recalls that Tony Martin, Jack Hastings, Ted Scott, herself and a cohort of other young people would frequent the beach as a social activity. When Jack Hastings, (retired Petty Officer) died in a road traffic accident in 1961, this group of individuals collected donations to create a memorial for their friend. Their plan was to build a water fountain in honor of a great mate. The success of their collections was enough to start the construction of the first clubrooms. In 1965 Mullaloo SLSC was incorporated with the West Australian Surf Lifesaving Association.

Since that time the Mullaloo SLSC has expanded in many areas, with major extensions in 1971 and a hall being built. In 1978 the boatshed and the Hall were finally joined together. In 1991 the City of Wanneroo built a new facility that was identified to take the club into the future. This was a modern building and reflected public need as Mr Merrifield stated long ago that the suburb needed a surf lifesaving club. At this point in time, the membership was 450 plus.

The final extension in 2000 was a combination of funding between the City of Joondalup, Lotteries Commission and the Surf Club. The building is now set to cater for a membership of over 2,000 individuals which remains an interesting challenge over the next five years.

Mullaloo SLSC continues to grow and is recognised as one of the premier surf lifesaving clubs in WA if not Australia. Why is this so?

We strive to keep our own identity.
We look for innovation.
We are an integral part of the community and proud of our volunteer commitment.

If you have any information, photos or memorabilia on any aspect of the Club since it began. We would love to hear from you. Contact the club with your details.

About Us

We are a dedicated volunteer organisation offering our members and community many services including surf rescue, water safety services, surf sports.

Life Members

Our club is proud of the many members in its history who have contributed significantly and achieved great results – warranting Life Membership.

Our Beach

Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club provides a water safety and rescue ready service to the public.

Opportunities for life

Be a lifesaver, build a lifesaver, enjoy connecting with your community.