In the 1950s, pioneering South West surfers were known as ‘weekend warriors’. They travelled from the city on weekends and holidays in search of pristine beaches with bigger, better waves. They camped under the melaleuca trees on the Yallingup beach front and embraced the raw beauty of the untouched coastline.
These 50s surf pioneers opened the door for those following. Surfers started migrating to Margaret River in the early 60s and Yallingup in the late 60s. The main influx occurred in the early 70s when metro, inter-state and international surfers moved to the region, to live, work & surf. The coastal lifestyle and sense of community among surfers has created a unique subculture and marked the beginning of a vibrant and enduring legacy that continues to shape the region’s identity today.
Pioneer surfer/photographer John Budge of Trigg WA snapped these photos of surfers camping at Yallingup in 1956.
1956 Yallingup beach front. Unknown & John Budgelistening to Trad Jazz music on wind up gramophone record player.
1956 John Budge’s Morris Minor loaded up with wooden Toothpick and Okanui surfboards in the unsealed Yallingup beach car park.
1956 Yallingup beach boys. L-R unknown, Bernie Huddle, Don Bancroft, Cocko KIllen, Rob McNab, Bill Prately, Dave Williams, unknownx2, Tony Harbison, Garth Hammond, John Budge, Artie Taylor & unknown.
1956-57 Yallingup camp site. L-R Tony Burgess, unknown, Red Abbott (in hammock), Bernie Huddle, Alan Hamer, unknown x3.
1956-57 Yallingup lookout. Keith Kino, John ‘Red’ Abbott & Bernie Huddle with melaleuca trees in the background.
1956 Yallingup melaleucatrees Dave Williams (top) & Graham ‘Cocko’ Killen(bottom).
The surfers in the next image have plywood Toothpick boards tied on the roof of the FJ Holden Ute and are listening to a Transistor Radio (right) with aerial cable draped over the boards.
Circa 1956 surfers Kevin Power, Brian Bradley, Rod Phillips & Jim Cavender camping at Yallingup beach.Photo John Budge.
In the 1950s, pioneering South West surfers were known as ‘weekend warriors’. They travelled from the city on weekends and holidays in search of pristine beaches with bigger, better waves. They camped under the melaleuca trees on the Yallingup beach front and embraced the raw beauty of the untouched coastline.
These 50s surf pioneers opened the door for those following. Surfers started migrating to Margaret River in the early 60s and Yallingup in the late 60s. The main influx occurred in the early 70s when metro, inter-state and international surfers moved to the region, to live, work & surf. The coastal lifestyle and sense of community among surfers has created a unique subculture and marked the beginning of a vibrant and enduring legacy that continues to shape the region’s identity today.
Pioneer surfer/photographer John Budge of Trigg WA snapped these photos of surfers camping at Yallingup in 1956.
1956 Yallingup beach front. Unknown & John Budge listening to Trad Jazz music on wind up gramophone record player.
1956 John Budge’s Morris Minor loaded up with wooden Toothpick and Okanui surfboards in the unsealed Yallingup beach car park.
1956 Yallingup beach boys. L-R unknown, Bernie Huddle, Don Bancroft, Cocko KIllen, Rob McNab, Bill Prately, Dave Williams, unknownx2, Tony Harbison, Garth Hammond, John Budge, Artie Taylor & unknown.
1956-57 Yallingup camp site. L-R Tony Burgess, unknown, Red Abbott (in hammock), Bernie Huddle, Alan Hamer, unknown x3.
1956-57 Yallingup lookout. Keith Kino, John ‘Red’ Abbott & Bernie Huddle with melaleuca trees in the background.
1956 Yallingup melaleuca trees Dave Williams (top) & Graham ‘Cocko’ Killen (bottom).
The surfers in the next image have plywood Toothpick boards tied on the roof of the FJ Holden Ute and are listening to a Transistor Radio (right) with aerial cable draped over the boards.
Budgie’s vintage WA surf photos have been archived by the State Library of West Australia.
2023 John Budge mural State Library of WA. Photo Chris Holyday.
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