From a Packing Crate to a Palace In 1960, the original Portsea Surf Life Saving Club (PSLSC) in Victoria was housed in a packing crate – well, the building was made from a packing crate. Today, 60 years later, it has been transformed into a stunning clubhouse, with a current membership just recently exceeding 4000.
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his new clubhouse, opened in 2019, sits in one of the most unforgiving environments in Australia and its construction required the use of a timber that could withstand salt, water and wind. That called for large, commercialgrade Blackbutt timber, which is the dominant design feature of the building, wrapping the entire façade.
Without doubt, the remarkable new clubhouse design gains the attention of passers-by. For the Members and community, though, PSLSC is a place to enjoy the camaraderie afforded by the club, and a place to look out wistfully across the sweeping sandy beach and over the rolling sea. It is also a hive of activity for young and older club members.
PSLSC’s clubhouse is located on the cliff face of Mt Levy Beach, better known as Portsea Back Beach, where the club has operated since 1949 to protect the lives of swimmers, and they have saved many lives in that time. The original packing crate clubhouse was located just 200 metres east of the current clubhouse.
PSLSC is especially busy in summer when its volunteer life savers patrol the beach every weekend from the beginning of December until Easter. As a volunteer emergency services provider, their primary role is to train lifesavers and upskill members. With over 1000 having participated in the training and education
Without doubt, the remarkable new clubhouse design gains the attention of passers-by 44
