Updates 11 Dec 2019 Recollections from Ron Moss and Reg Gillard former partners in Gasworks Surf Shops.
Ron Moss – When I was age 17, I sold surfing stuff from under the City Beach Shop. Buying gear off Len Dibben and others. In those days we used to keep our boards under the shop or at Simmo’s parent’s place. This is before I got a car at 17 years of age. A green Morris Minor that was a side banger!
I met Nat Young when he came over here in 1967 and I took him around to metropolitan surfing spots. I took him to Trigg Point on a big day. Nat saw me surf and it was then he offered me the agency for Gordon and Woods Surf Boards. I took him home and my brother David was surprised to see Nat Young having a cup of tea with our mother.
I told Trevor about this and then we formed the Gas Works Surf Shops. I also; through Nat Young recommendation; secured the agency for Platt Surf Wear. I went to see Platts before embarking to go to Vietnam. I also met Gordon Woods when I came back from the funny farm (Vietnam) and secured the agency for Keyo Surf Boards. I also tried to get Les Purcell in Queensland; for the Gas Works to act for agent for him. Trevor did not want this. Les still is making boards in Queensland.
The first Gas Works Surf Shop was at the Floreat Forum. The shop was on the East side of the Forum. This shop had clothing footwear and boards.
It was me and Trevor Burslem that started the Gas Works surf shops. I was also a partner with TB in another company Surf line; which bought over the surfing films at the Regal. Cheers Ron
Postscripts
Speaking of TB; we remained good friends until he passed; in fact I saw TB at the Tree Top Walk (Tingledale WA) where he was manager at the time. Yep even had a cup of coffee with him a couple of weeks before he passed. I used to see TB at Claremont all the time and have a coffee with him when he came down from Darwin. He was a manager of bands up there.
I would like to know where all his photo’s went? When I saw him; at Walpole; he still had them as we had a few good laughs.
Nat Young was in Hawaii in 1968 and sent me some medallions from there. Nat also sent me a book “NATS CHAT” personally signed “to Ron from Nat”.
When I arrived back from the funny farm; I was just skin and bone; very light! Colin Cordingley made me a transition board to try out. The boards at that time were 9 foot to 11 foot and this board was 7 foot 1 inch. I rode this board and he watched me down at Scarborough.
I kept up my surfing in the funny farm with another mate Richard Serritt. Murray Smith knows him. In Vietnam all the OZ East Coast board makers sent up their latest boards and they were smaller than the West Coast boards at the time. Maybe I should write to you about my experience in Vietnam surfing. 😊
Reg Gillard – Alistair Norwood was a mate of mine from school (we played in the same soccer team together) and originally he owned Gaslight night club. Unfortunately the neighbour’s complained about the noise and sexual activities in the street and were pressuring the council to close him down, it was at that point he approached me about getting into clothing because he knew Gasworks had the Levi franchise and he was interested in doing something along those lines and from memory Trevor and I saw him together and helped him establish Gaslight Gear that operated okay for awhile and he got the taste for that Industry and started Jeans West. I was a partner in Jeans West (Trevor wasn’t) for two years or so but got the Royal order of get out of sideline businesses from my accounting firm employer and I duly signed out to him at that time. I trust that helps. Cheers Reg Gillard
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1960-70s Gaslight Gear and Gasworks Surf Shops
In the late 60s Alistair Norwood and Trevor ‘TB’ Burslem were partners in Gaslight Gear ‘New Directional Clothing’ shop in Sherwood Court Perth and Gasworks Surf Shops in Hay St East Perth, Floreat (Forum Floreat) and Hay St Subiaco. Later Reg Gillard (ex CP Bird & City Beach Surfriders) joined the partnership.
Gasworks sold ladies and gentlemen’s outfits and John Arnold Surfboards from South Australia. During the flower power hippy era of the late sixties, Gasworks sold popular surf wear like high waisted corduroy flairs and Russell Hughes’ ‘The Crystal Vessel’ floral Nehru-collared shirts.
Bruce King, Robyn Brockman (nee McDonald) and Lizzie Gooch (nee Tidswell) worked as Managers at Gasworks surf shops.
Bruce King – The first Gasworks shop was located Hay street East Perth. That’s where I got my first job as a so-called Manager.
Robyn Brockman – I worked at the Floreat (Floreat Forum) and Subi (Hay Street) stores. Honestly, there were not a whole lot of memorable moments there….I spent a lot of time at the Subi store talking to the ‘Farris boys’. Sold clothing, wetsuits, boards (probably a lot bigger than now) and met lots of people, loved it as a fill in job. TB would pop in from time to time, and that’s about it 👍😊
Lizzie Gooch – I worked in the Subiaco Gasworks, but unfortunately don’t have any photos of the time nor many memories. The Blues Music playing in the shop is one of my most notable memories. I really can’t even remember who my boss was, I was so young!
This is a collection of Gaslight Gear and Gasworks images……….
Item: 1968 cutting from Trevor Burslem’s On the Board Walk surf column in the Sunday Times.
Image: 1968 Gasworks pass out card at Surf Cabaret held at Spectrum Nightclub Perth.
Image: 1973 Dunno boys modelling corduroy flairs in Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough. Peter Mac pic.
L-R. Steve ‘Blue Nicholson, Ian ‘Prive’ Morris, Micko Gracie & Rex Biddle.
Image: 1968 John Arnold Surfboards South Aust advertisement.
Image: Late 60s Russell Hughes’ Crystal Vessel shirt. Courtesy Shane Surfboards NSW
Image: 1971 Gasworks advertisement in surf magazine.
Gaslight Gear and Gasworks Surf Shops ceased operations during the late 70s.
In the 80s Alister Norwood went on to create Jeanswest one of the country’s best known clothing stores. When he sold the Jeanswest chain in 1990, it had 116 stores.
Updates 11 Dec 2019 Recollections from Ron Moss and Reg Gillard former partners in Gasworks Surf Shops.
Ron Moss – When I was age 17, I sold surfing stuff from under the City Beach Shop. Buying gear off Len Dibben and others. In those days we used to keep our boards under the shop or at Simmo’s parent’s place. This is before I got a car at 17 years of age. A green Morris Minor that was a side banger!
I met Nat Young when he came over here in 1967 and I took him around to metropolitan surfing spots. I took him to Trigg Point on a big day. Nat saw me surf and it was then he offered me the agency for Gordon and Woods Surf Boards. I took him home and my brother David was surprised to see Nat Young having a cup of tea with our mother.
I told Trevor about this and then we formed the Gas Works Surf Shops. I also; through Nat Young recommendation; secured the agency for Platt Surf Wear. I went to see Platts before embarking to go to Vietnam. I also met Gordon Woods when I came back from the funny farm (Vietnam) and secured the agency for Keyo Surf Boards. I also tried to get Les Purcell in Queensland; for the Gas Works to act for agent for him. Trevor did not want this. Les still is making boards in Queensland.
The first Gas Works Surf Shop was at the Floreat Forum. The shop was on the East side of the Forum. This shop had clothing footwear and boards.
It was me and Trevor Burslem that started the Gas Works surf shops. I was also a partner with TB in another company Surf line; which bought over the surfing films at the Regal. Cheers Ron
Postscripts
Speaking of TB; we remained good friends until he passed; in fact I saw TB at the Tree Top Walk (Tingledale WA) where he was manager at the time. Yep even had a cup of coffee with him a couple of weeks before he passed. I used to see TB at Claremont all the time and have a coffee with him when he came down from Darwin. He was a manager of bands up there.
I would like to know where all his photo’s went? When I saw him; at Walpole; he still had them as we had a few good laughs.
Nat Young was in Hawaii in 1968 and sent me some medallions from there. Nat also sent me a book “NATS CHAT” personally signed “to Ron from Nat”.
When I arrived back from the funny farm; I was just skin and bone; very light! Colin Cordingley made me a transition board to try out. The boards at that time were 9 foot to 11 foot and this board was 7 foot 1 inch. I rode this board and he watched me down at Scarborough.
I kept up my surfing in the funny farm with another mate Richard Serritt. Murray Smith knows him. In Vietnam all the OZ East Coast board makers sent up their latest boards and they were smaller than the West Coast boards at the time. Maybe I should write to you about my experience in Vietnam surfing. 😊
Reg Gillard – Alistair Norwood was a mate of mine from school (we played in the same soccer team together) and originally he owned Gaslight night club. Unfortunately the neighbour’s complained about the noise and sexual activities in the street and were pressuring the council to close him down, it was at that point he approached me about getting into clothing because he knew Gasworks had the Levi franchise and he was interested in doing something along those lines and from memory Trevor and I saw him together and helped him establish Gaslight Gear that operated okay for awhile and he got the taste for that Industry and started Jeans West. I was a partner in Jeans West (Trevor wasn’t) for two years or so but got the Royal order of get out of sideline businesses from my accounting firm employer and I duly signed out to him at that time. I trust that helps. Cheers Reg Gillard
————————————————————
1960-70s Gaslight Gear and Gasworks Surf Shops
In the late 60s Alistair Norwood and Trevor ‘TB’ Burslem were partners in Gaslight Gear ‘New Directional Clothing’ shop in Sherwood Court Perth and Gasworks Surf Shops in Hay St East Perth, Floreat (Forum Floreat) and Hay St Subiaco. Later Reg Gillard (ex CP Bird & City Beach Surfriders) joined the partnership.
Gasworks sold ladies and gentlemen’s outfits and John Arnold Surfboards from South Australia. During the flower power hippy era of the late sixties, Gasworks sold popular surf wear like high waisted corduroy flairs and Russell Hughes’ ‘The Crystal Vessel’ floral Nehru-collared shirts.
Bruce King, Robyn Brockman (nee McDonald) and Lizzie Gooch (nee Tidswell) worked as Managers at Gasworks surf shops.
Bruce King – The first Gasworks shop was located Hay street East Perth. That’s where I got my first job as a so-called Manager.
Robyn Brockman – I worked at the Floreat (Floreat Forum) and Subi (Hay Street) stores. Honestly, there were not a whole lot of memorable moments there….I spent a lot of time at the Subi store talking to the ‘Farris boys’. Sold clothing, wetsuits, boards (probably a lot bigger than now) and met lots of people, loved it as a fill in job. TB would pop in from time to time, and that’s about it 👍😊
Lizzie Gooch – I worked in the Subiaco Gasworks, but unfortunately don’t have any photos of the time nor many memories. The Blues Music playing in the shop is one of my most notable memories. I really can’t even remember who my boss was, I was so young!
This is a collection of Gaslight Gear and Gasworks images……….
Image: 1970s Gaslight Gear Trend Show. Ric Chan pic.
Image: 1970 Gaslight Gear advertisement in Surf Mag.
Image: 1972 Gaslight Gear / Gasworks Surf Shop Advertisement in surf magazine.
Item: 1968 cutting from Trevor Burslem’s On the Board Walk surf column in the Sunday Times.
Image: 1968 Gasworks pass out card at Surf Cabaret held at Spectrum Nightclub Perth.
Image: 1973 Dunno boys modelling corduroy flairs in Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough. Peter Mac pic.
L-R. Steve ‘Blue Nicholson, Ian ‘Prive’ Morris, Micko Gracie & Rex Biddle.
Image: 1968 John Arnold Surfboards South Aust advertisement.
Image: Late 60s Russell Hughes’ Crystal Vessel shirt. Courtesy Shane Surfboards NSW
Image: 1971 Gasworks advertisement in surf magazine.
Gaslight Gear and Gasworks Surf Shops ceased operations during the late 70s.
In the 80s Alister Norwood went on to create Jeanswest one of the country’s best known clothing stores. When he sold the Jeanswest chain in 1990, it had 116 stores.
Click on this link to view 1960-70s Trevor Burslem surf media & promotion published October 2014.
Reg Gillard went on to have a successful career in the Finance industry.
Thanks to my brother Bruce, Robyn & Lizzie for assisting with research on this SDS post.
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