The Margaret River region, home to the Wadandi people for over 40,000 years, was officially gazetted as a townsite on February 7, 1913, following exploration by John Garrett Bussell in 1831. Named after Margaret Whicher, the area developed through timber, dairy & agriculture, however, the introduction of surfing in the late 1950s and the establishment of wineries in the late 1960s played a pivotal role in transforming the area into a prominent tourist destination in the Southwest.
When Main Break at Margaret River was first surfed in 1958, there were few surfers living in the region.
Margaret River resident Keith McCleod first met surfers when he was 12 years old in 1958 and a year later when he started working at the Prevelly Store. He worked the bowser and met the surfers when they stopped for fuel.
“As we drove past the point heading to the River Mouth, there were two blokes in the water surfing. They were Margaret River high school teacher Mal Bromley and accountant Warren McKinney who were living in Margaret River at the time. I don’t know how long they had already been surfing there.” The late Tony Harbison (1962).
1963 Margart River High School teacher Mal Bromley surfing Margs Main Break. Photo Bromley family pic.
View early Margaret River surfing memories and photos by clicking the link.
The Margaret River region, home to the Wadandi people for over 40,000 years, was officially gazetted as a townsite on February 7, 1913, following exploration by John Garrett Bussell in 1831. Named after Margaret Whicher, the area developed through timber, dairy & agriculture, however, the introduction of surfing in the late 1950s and the establishment of wineries in the late 1960s played a pivotal role in transforming the area into a prominent tourist destination in the Southwest.
When Main Break at Margaret River was first surfed in 1958, there were few surfers living in the region.
Margaret River resident Keith McCleod first met surfers when he was 12 years old in 1958 and a year later when he started working at the Prevelly Store. He worked the bowser and met the surfers when they stopped for fuel.
“As we drove past the point heading to the River Mouth, there were two blokes in the water surfing. They were Margaret River high school teacher Mal Bromley and accountant Warren McKinney who were living in Margaret River at the time. I don’t know how long they had already been surfing there.” The late Tony Harbison (1962).
1963 Margart River High School teacher Mal Bromley surfing Margs Main Break. Photo Bromley family pic.
View early Margaret River surfing memories and photos by clicking the link.
Thanks to the contributors
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