Young Dalkeith surfer Peter ‘Dyso’ Dyson started surfing down south in the early 60’s. In 1966 he become a member of the Yallingup Surf Board Club and purchased a beach shack on the hill at Yallingup.
These are Peter’s 1960s Down South recollections and photos.
Beach Shack Yallingup
In the mid 60s I rented a beach shack on Elsegood Road Yallingup from the Bonser family. In Feb 1966 they sold me the property for $3,000. The shack was one of five beach shacks built on the hill in the early 50s by Yallingup pioneer Ting Hammond & family.
Photos: Late 1960s Yallingup Peter Dyson’s shack with his Holden HR panel van. (Bottom right) View from Peter’s shack across Valley Rd and Yallingup Caravan Park. Peter Dyson pics.
My shack had power but no scheme water or sewerage. Lance Bevan (my first wife’s brother) and I dug trenches in the limestone cap rock (which is the prevalent rock in the area) for the sewerage system. We were assisted by Peter Bothwell who later bought the Ferguson shack a couple of blocks north of me.
Photos: Late 60s Peter Dyson and Lance Bevan digging sewerage trench at the beach shack. Peter Dyson pics.
Photos: Late 60s socialising at Pete’s shack. Peter Dyson Pics.
Top: The Braesch family & kids holidaying at Peter’s place.
Bottom: (Left) Postcard image of Yallingup Beach. (Right) 1970s Unidentified, Ian ‘Prive’ Morris and Ross ‘Mahdu’ Anderson in the kitchen of Peter’s shack. Andy Jones pic.
Photos: Late 60s beach girls at Pete’s shack Yalls. Peter Dyson pics.
Left: Robin Jebb (later married Spook Bothwell). Right: L-R Niobie Pericles, Jan Bevan, Robin Jebb & Mari Paterson.
Photos: Late 60s beach boys at Pete’s shack Yalls. Peter Dyson pics.
Left: Ken Dyson (Peter’s dad) at the shack. Right: Peter enjoying a ‘King Brown’ beer in stubby holder with surfer Alex Chobanoff.
Photos: 1960-70s SW images courtesy of Peter Dyson.
Left: 1960s Peter at Rocky Point with pintail surfboard. Right: 1970s Tony Harbison and Peter with big kingfish caught at Big Rock. Pic taken at Harbo’s house at Hideaway Homes Yalls.
Surfing in the SW
The inaugural State Surfing Championships were held at Yallingup in 1964. Contest officials erected a judge’s stand on the reef to give the judges an uninterrupted view of the action. It was a good idea, but the scaffolding stand was washed away by waves before completion of the competition.
Image: 1964 Peter Dyson winning 4th heat in the Junior division of the first State Surfing Championships held at Yalls. Image courtesy of WA Newspapers.
Photo: Mid 60s Dyso’s Kombi at Rocky Point. Photo courtesy of Peter Dyson
L-R John ‘Blue’ Burridge, Peter Dyson (on step ladder), Kevin Ager, Mick Maddren, John Balgarnie & Charlie Roper. John ‘Ned’ Franetovich is sitting on the roof.
Photos: Late 1960s Pete surfing in the SW. Peter Dyson pics.
Top: Peter surfing the Farm at Bunker Bay.
Bottom: Peter surfing main break Yallingup.
Photos: Late 1960s Pete’s surfing mates. Peter Dyson pics.
Left: Albany Surfing Comp officials include Dave Condon, Rod Slater & Colin Cordingley. Right: John Staley celebrating his 21st birthday in Bunbury.
Photo: 1970 Yalls State Titles. Ric Chan pic
L-R Greg Laurenson, Peter Holzman, Ron Waddell, Bruce King, Robin Sutherland, Peter Dyson, Rod Slater, Giles Geiger, Steve Cockburn & John Balgarnie.
Yallingup Surf Board Club
Photo: 1965 Yallingup Surf Board Club members at Yallingup (pre Dyso). L-R Mark Waddell, Fred Lochowitch, Bill Oddy, John Pozzi, Peter Bothwell, Terry James, Craig Brent-White, Kim Woods, Geoff Berry, Trevor Baskerville. Photo courtesy of Sonny James.
In 1966 I was invited to join the prestigious Yallingup Surf Board Club. My YBC membership was probationary for 12 months and subject to review for any serious misconduct during that period. I was required to resign from my former board club Cottesloe Board Club and register with WASRA.
Images: 1966 Yallingup Surf Board Club memorabilia courtesy of Peter Dyson.
Left: YBC invitation letter to Peter signed by Club Secretary Bill Oddy. Right: Peter’s YBC membership card.
This photo shows my Kombi loaded with surfboards parked outside the ‘No Parking’ sign in front of the Yallingup Surf Board Shack at Caves House Yallingup.
Photo: 1960s Yallingup L-R Peter Dyson, Kim ‘Dish’ Standish, Kevin Ager, Guy Laylor, Michael Bibby and 2 unidentified lads. Peter Dyson pic.
BONUS PIC
In the 1990s Peter Clauson, Don Hancey & I were partners in the Surfside tenancy at Yallingup. I wore snake skin boots and added a karaoke machine to Surfside’s amenities. Turn-over picked-up and Surfside became a strong music scene with local musicians Vance Burrows, Gina Pannone, Leon Thomasian & others playing at the venue. It was a vibrant night spot and rivalled Caves House in entertainment.
I then sold my share in Surfside to Neil Anderson.
Photo: 1990s the five Peter’s at Surfside Yalls L-R Peter Clauson, Peter Kidd, Peter Shearer, Peter Dyson & Peter Davies. Neil Anderson pic.
I still enjoy surfing, singing & sex…..those activities get my endorphins pumping!
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