The surf life saving movement was founded on October 18, 1907. However, until 1980 women had been largely sidelined.

They could pay membership, help with fund raising and work in the kitchen.

But be part of a patrol team? Or compete in carnivals.

No way, that was man's work.

However, during the 1970s attitudes started to change, perhaps influenced by the fact surf clubs were struggling for members.

So from July 1, 1980 the surf life saving movement joined the 20^th century by allowing women to become full members.

Taree Old Bar was among the first in the State to welcome women.

Sisters-in-law Tanya Bridge (nee Ward) and Narelle Salmon (nee Bridge) were members of Old Bar's first women's bronze squad.

Narelle had a background in nippers while her brothers, Wayne and Gary (now Tanya's husband), were in Old Bar Surf Club.

Tanya's early association with the beach was more relaxed.

"I was happy to lie in the sun,'' she said.

They weren't fazed by the fact that women weren't permitted to become full members.

"I never really thought too much about it to be honest,'' Tanya said.

However, Tanya and Narelle and 12 others were persuaded by Paul Goodyer to become part of Taree Old Bar's first women's bronze squad.

"We were going to the beach anyway and we were members of the surf club, so it just seemed the natural thing to do,'' Tanya recalls.

Training started before the official start of the 1980/81 season.

"I reckon we trained for about six weeks,'' Narelle said.

"We'd go to Chatham Primary School,'' Tanya added.

"That's right - because Paul was a teacher there,'' agreed Narelle.

"We go to Chatham one night a week and then we'd train again at the beach on Sunday,'' Tanya added.

The training didn't present any problems, Narelle said.

"I think we all pretty well breezed through it.''

"It was only learning first aid and resuscitation,'' Tanya added.

"Nothing too difficult.''

Both agreed they received plenty of support from club members.

"Spook Everingham and others, they were always there to help,'' Tanya said.

"Old Bar was a good club like that,'' Narelle agreed.

So to the big day, Sunday, November 2, 1980 with Trevor Lambert and Doug Ferguson the examiners.

Neither Tanya or Narelle recall being particularly nervous.

"It was basically a fun thing,'' Tanya explained. "We weren't worried about it at all.''

They also reasoned been trained well by Paul Goodyer. Even the prospect of a belt swim wasn't particularly daunting.

The belt swim was part of the bronze training in those days, even though the belt had been replaced by IRBs and rescue boards and skis as the main means to perform rescues.

"We got to Forster Main and it was as flat as a tack,'' Tanya smiled.

"I remember thinking, 'it won't be too hard swimming out there.' "

So after one and a bit hours, history was made. The Taree Old Bar Surf Club (established 1929), had women as full members for the first time.

At the time, neither Tanya or Narelle were particularly taken by the moment.

However, it was different when they headed back to Old Bar that afternoon.

"The club made a bit of a deal about it,'' Tanya said.

"They were pretty chuffed about it. I think we were among the first in the State to put a girls squad through,'' Narelle added.

And, the club was quick to make use of its newly qualified members.

"Some of us had to go on patrol that afternoon,'' Tanya said.

They were also allowed to compete at surf carnivals - and Narelle relished the opportunity, contesting events on the sand and in the surf. In those days all clubs held a carnival each season.

Tanya recalls winning a beach flags (or, 'that one where you pick the sticks out of the sand,' as she remembered).

"But it was a real Stephen Bradbury thing,'' she laughed.

"I'd be about the least likely person to win something like that.''

However, she did return home from the Country Championships held at Evans Head that year with a gold medal - a jockey for the successful chariot race team.

Neither had a particularly long association with the surf life saving movement. Tanya moved to Sydney a couple of years after while Narelle joined the navy.

"I did want to get back into it when I moved back here, but my kids weren't interested in the nippers,'' Narelle said.

"The same here,'' Tanya added.

"I tried nippers one day and my kids hated it. So we didn't go back.''

Neither thinks too much about the fact they were part of history.

"Not really, although when the club has a reunion I tell people that they'll see my photo on the wall,'' Narelle smiled.

The successful squad was: Sue-Ellen Goodyer, Maxine Goodyer, Robyn Williams, Tanya Ward, Karen Sawyer, Toni Letchford, Leonie Griffiths, Noeline Coogan, Sharon Cleveland, Narelle Bridge, M Clerke, G Paff, M Gray, M Burne.

The club's second squad went through on November 22, 1980. Members were Anne Clerk, Susan Carey, Wendy Drury, Lisa Dempsey, MS Kemp, Joanne Platt, Jacquie Ryan, Kerri Ward, Julie Bramble.

Paul Goodyer and Mark Allan were the instructors.