The idea for a memorial to recognise Yallingup as the birthplace of Western Australian Surfing originated from Joy SmithOAM a well-known local identity and community worker who was the Chairperson of the Cape Naturaliste Historical Society. Joy was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1997 for service to community particularly through local government and the promotion of tourism.
Kevin Merifield a long-time surfer of the area was approached by Joy to provide some background detail on the history of surfing in WA and asked if he would take the project on.
A project steering committee was formed, the Yallingup Surfing Memorial Committee with representatives from various community and surfing groups.
Local artist Cerys Allerton was approached and produced a scale model which the steering committee approved.
The 7ft tall bronze statue (1¼ size) depicts an early surfer with his Malibu surfboard.
2011 Yallingup Surfing Memorial brochure page 1.
2011 Yallingup Surfing Memorial brochure page 2.
Unveiling Ceremony
The Yallingup Surfing Memorial was unveiled by the Hon Barry House MLC for the South West Region. President of the Legislative council on 2nd. December 2011.
Barry House. “I was provided the great opportunity and privilege to officially unveil this fantastic sculpture. A terrific monument to the surfing culture of Yallingup.”
2011 Project initiator Joy Smith OAM from local Historical Society and MLC Barry House at the unveiling ceremony Yallingup. Photo Loz Smith.
2011 Panorama image of the large crowd at the unveiling ceremony on Yallingup Beach front. Photo Bruce King.
2011 Presentation by Wadandi Elder Bill Webb at the unveiling ceremony Yallingup. Photo Bruce King.
2011 Unveiling bronze sculpture at Yallingup. L-R Cerys Allerton, Kevin Merifield & Hon. Barry House. Photo Mick Marlin.
2011 Unveiled bronze sculpture of pioneer surfer with board at Yallingup. Photo Jim King.
2011 Meet & greet after the unveiling of bronze sculpture at Yallingup. Photo Jim King.
2011 Yallingup Surfing Memorial bronze plaque at Yallingup.
2011 Yallingup Surfing Memorial major donors plaque at Yallingup.
Sculptor
A full-scale sculpture was created by local sculptor Cerys Allerton in her studio at Eagle Bay. Yallingup surfer Rich Myers was used as the model for the sculpture.
2011 Sculptor Cerys Allerton with her full-size plaster mould which was later cast in bronze. Photo: Mick Marlin.
2011 Sculpture model Ric Myers & sculptor Cerys Allerton with the bronze Yallingup Surfing Memorial at Yallingup. Photo Loz Smith.
Surfboard Designer
The bronze surfboard was designed & shaped by Mark Ogram, Yahoo Surfboards Dunsborough WA.
2011 Bronze statue of fictional pioneer surfer with surfboard designed by Mark Ogram at Yallingup. Photographer unknown.
The idea for a memorial to recognise Yallingup as the birthplace of Western Australian Surfing originated from Joy Smith OAM a well-known local identity and community worker who was the Chairperson of the Cape Naturaliste Historical Society. Joy was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 1997 for service to community particularly through local government and the promotion of tourism.
Kevin Merifield a long-time surfer of the area was approached by Joy to provide some background detail on the history of surfing in WA and asked if he would take the project on.
A project steering committee was formed, the Yallingup Surfing Memorial Committee with representatives from various community and surfing groups.
Local artist Cerys Allerton was approached and produced a scale model which the steering committee approved.
The 7ft tall bronze statue (1¼ size) depicts an early surfer with his Malibu surfboard.
2011 Yallingup Surfing Memorial brochure page 1.
2011 Yallingup Surfing Memorial brochure page 2.
Unveiling Ceremony
The Yallingup Surfing Memorial was unveiled by the Hon Barry House MLC for the South West Region. President of the Legislative council on 2nd. December 2011.
Barry House. “I was provided the great opportunity and privilege to officially unveil this fantastic sculpture. A terrific monument to the surfing culture of Yallingup.”
2011 Project initiator Joy Smith OAM from local Historical Society and MLC Barry House at the unveiling ceremony Yallingup. Photo Loz Smith.
2011 Panorama image of the large crowd at the unveiling ceremony on Yallingup Beach front. Photo Bruce King.
2011 Presentation by Wadandi Elder Bill Webb at the unveiling ceremony Yallingup. Photo Bruce King.
2011 Unveiling bronze sculpture at Yallingup. L-R Cerys Allerton, Kevin Merifield & Hon. Barry House. Photo Mick Marlin.
2011 Unveiled bronze sculpture of pioneer surfer with board at Yallingup. Photo Jim King.
2011 Meet & greet after the unveiling of bronze sculpture at Yallingup. Photo Jim King.
2011 Yallingup Surfing Memorial bronze plaque at Yallingup.
2011 Yallingup Surfing Memorial major donors plaque at Yallingup.
Sculptor
A full-scale sculpture was created by local sculptor Cerys Allerton in her studio at Eagle Bay. Yallingup surfer Rich Myers was used as the model for the sculpture.
2011 Sculptor Cerys Allerton with her full-size plaster mould which was later cast in bronze. Photo: Mick Marlin.
2011 Sculpture model Ric Myers & sculptor Cerys Allerton with the bronze Yallingup Surfing Memorial at Yallingup. Photo Loz Smith.
Surfboard Designer
The bronze surfboard was designed & shaped by Mark Ogram, Yahoo Surfboards Dunsborough WA.
2011 Bronze statue of fictional pioneer surfer with surfboard designed by Mark Ogram at Yallingup. Photographer unknown.
Photo Gallery social pics
Many thanks to the contributors.
——————-
Share this:
Like this: