1950-1951
A great achievement during this season saw the Henley club gain more awards than any other club in Australia.
1952
It followed that The SA State Centre was formed on 1st October 1952 and simultaneously the Royal Lifesaving Society relinquished control of all lifesaving clubs along the South Australian coastline.
In this same season, Frank Tucker, Laurie Bailey, Len Tucker and Clive Calnan become the first members to be selected in a “Surf” lifesaving state team to represent South Australia.
1953
1953 saw Tom Jennings selected to be South Australia’s first representative in an Australian Instructional Team when he toured Hawaii.
That same year the building plans were put on hold as the donation of a 35ft. x 16ft. Nissen hut by the Henley & Grange Council was accepted and become the new home of the club during November 1953
1954-1955
This season celebrated 30 years of saving lives at Henley Beach and the following letter from the club’s founder, Dan Dineen expresses his pride at the Surf Life Saving movement in SA.
‘On the 21st Nov. 1925, the official opening of the Henley Life Saving Club was conducted, and we had the pleasure of having the Chief Secretary, the late Hon. J. Jolly in attendance. Questions were asked about the efficiency of the members and the gathering was told that it was our aim to become as efficient as the Lifesavers of N.S.W.
Now 30 years later I am proud of, and thankful to see, a club affiliated with the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia, not only this, but for the State to have its own State Centre is more than the realisation of my dreams.
To the forming of the State Centre, and the affiliation of the club to the Surf Life Saving Ass. I wish to pay tribute to the work of the Henley Club and in particular to Messrs. C. Fielder and M. Butterfield. It was through their very great efforts that this State has been recognised by the National Council of the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia.’
The club moved its new home (the Nissen hut) from the northern side of the jetty to a position south of the swimming pool. This site did not last long and during the season the shed was demolished and the foundations were laid for the new clubrooms, which are still being used today.
1956
The Mayor of Henley & Grange, Mr. D.J. Newlands ESQ. JP opened the new clubrooms.on the 18th November 1956.
Len Tucker represented Australia at an international championship at Torquay, Victoria.
1957
Murray Garretty, representing Henley, won the Australian open Surf Race Championship at Bondi making him the first South Australian ever to win an Australian title.
