60s 70s

Gavin McCaughey The Real McCoy

Gavin McCaughey is a colorful chap. In addition to his surfing background with the Scarborough Board Club in the late 60s, he was the inaugural editor of WA’s first surf magazine, Country Surf in 1971 and has been a musician on Perth’s entertainment scene.

Photo: 1968 Scarborough Board Club surf trip to Bunker Bay. Gavin (on left) with unidentified person. Brian Trainer pic.

1968 Gavin McCaughey Bunkers B Trainer pic

Photo: 1969 Scarborough Beach Board Club surf trip to Cowaramup Bay. Gavin second from right. Brian Trainer pic.

1969 Gavin McCaughey & Scarb boys at Cowaramup B Trainer pic

Photo: 1969 Scarborough Board Club meeting at Scarborough. Gavin is sitting front row with Hawaiian shirt. Brian Trainer pic.

1969 Scarb Bd Club B Trainer IMG_0003 (2)

Image: Late 60s Impulse band playing at King of Clubs nightclub in Northbridge. Gavin playing guitar second from right. Image courtesy of Gavin McCaughey.

circa 1968 Impulse band King of Clubs Northbridge - Gavin McCaughey 002

Photo: 1970 Gavin surfing Marg River Main Break on his 5’10 x 24 twinnie. Gavin McCaughey pic.

1970 Marg River Gavin McCaughey on 5'10 x 24 twinnie

Photo: 1970 WA State Surfing Titles at Yallingup. Ric Chan pic.

L-R Neil Sadlier, Brian Trainer and Gavin McCaughey.

1970 Yalls State Titles unknown, B Trainer & Gavin McCaughey - Ric Chan img099

Image: 1970 Media surf article about Kevin Ager by Gavin McCaughey.

1970 Newspaper article Shaping by Gavin McCaughey IMG_01

In 1971, Gavin McCaughey published Country Surf magazine. It was WA’s first surf magazine and cost 50c.

Gavin McCaugheyTom Collins came on board immediately after I produced number one, which was put together by me with the help of like-minded volunteers.

Like many teenage surfers of the time I used to devour east coast surf magazines featuring east coast surfers and east coast breaks and thought it would be nice to promote locals in some way. The problem (again like many other young surfers), was lack of funds which pretty well ruled out using pro photographers such as Greg Woodward.

Photos were from enthusiastic amateurs and I recall one of the younger Farris brothers (Rob Farris) being enthusiastically involved.

Quality of production improved on later issues thanks to a team organised by Peter Bevan including journalist Errol Considine, but unfortunately it was ultimately not a commercial success and died quietly.

Image: 1971 Country Surf Magazine staff list. Publishers Gavin McCaughey & Tom Collins.

1971 West Country Surf staff - Tom Collins NVE00094

Image: 1971 Gavin with his Jacko twinnie. Courtesy of Country Surf Mag.

1971 Gavin McCaughey twin fin - Country Surf Mag

Photo: 1976 Gavin the musician (on the left). Ric Chan pic.

1976 Perth Gavin McCaughey music - Ric Chan 017

Photo: 1980s The Real McCoy band at the Candy Store in Mt Lawley. Gavin on the right. Gavin McCaughey pic.

1980s Real McCoy Candy Store Mt Lawley - Gavin McCaughey 001

Image: 1980s OZ singer Colleen Hewett with the Real McCoy boys at the Sheraton. Gavin on the left. Media image.

1980s Colleen Hewett-Real McCoy at Sheraton - Gavin McCaughey

Photo: 2011 Gavin McCaughey and Brian Trainer (ex Scarb Board Club) at Dunsborough. Jim King pic.

2011 Gavin McCaughey & Brian Trainer ex Scarb Board Club IMG_2290

Thanks for sharing your images Gavin.

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