70s 80s +

Sam Sadleir’s scrapbook

Sam Sadlier was born in Kalgoorlie WA and lived at the Cundalee mission till he was about six.  He then lived in Perth which is where he started surfing at age seven.

Sam won the first State Schoolboys Surf Championship in 1975 in the under 16 division. He won the same event ‘back to back’ in 1976. He was the only Aboriginal competitor and really the first Aboriginal representative surfer in Australia.

In the 1970s he was a popular member of Cottesloe Boardriders Club and surfed for Greirson Surfboards Surf Team.

Surfing isn’t the only sport at which Sam has excelled. He played Australian rules for South Fremantle for three years, making a number of A-grade appearances during that time. He also played football for the Sharks in Dampier in the Pilbara Region in the 1980s.

In 2007 Sam won the Men’s open division of the Wardandi Indigenous Surf Classic, held at Injidup Car Park near Yallingup.

Surfing is where Sam Sadleir’s heart lies. And as far as he’s concerned, he couldn’t think of a better way to spend his days.

Sam is married with two children and lives in Vasse in the South West. He works in the mining industry and is still a keen talented surfer.

Background information sourced from Sam Sadleir article November 30, 2007 Deadly Vibe Aboriginal media website.

This is a collection of Sam’s scrapbook photos.

1970s Sam at Cottesloe Beach
1970-80s Sam’s scrapbook surfing pics.
1978 Sam at Margaret River Rowing Regatta. Ric Chan pic.
Sam won the paddle race at the Regatta.
Early 1980s Sam at South Fremantle Football Club. Sean Cowan pic.
1980s Sharks football team from Dampier. Sam is second from left in the second row.
2015 Remnants of Greirson Surfboards 1970s Surf Team. Sam and Gary Grierson at Yallingup. Bruce King pic.
2020 Sam going for an Easter surf at Yalls. Jim King pic.
Yalls local yokels. Mick Marlin pic
L-R Rich Myers, Marty Chandler, Floyd Irvine & Sam Sadleir.

Thanks for sharing your story and pics Sam.

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