Celebrating Waverley

Aubrey Laidlaw

Description

About

Aubrey (Aub) Laidlaw was one of the most famous Lifeguards to ever patrol Bondi’s golden sands, and became an icon of the beach.

Known for his strict standards regarding ladies’ swimwear, Aub was a surf lifesaver and beach inspector for Waverley council for nearly 40 years. When asked if he would change anything about that time, Aub replied “I wouldn’t do anything else. I was really happy in the job and as far as the job was concerned I did everything that the council wanted me to do at the time, over the years, and I never regretted anything that I have done.”

Help us transcribe Aub's oral history interview on Amplify.

Other nameAub Laidlaw

Image

Aub Laidlaw to left of Stan MacDonald in Party hat kneeling with drink and no tie. Traditional Christmas Party in McDonald' s tunnel under the Bondi Promenade

Beach inspectors in their new uniforms at Bondi. Left to right, J. Lapthorne, A. Laidlaw, W. Pugh (Tamarama), T. Meagher (Chief Inspector), R. Riley (Bronte) and J. Dobson.

Beach inspector at Bondi. Aub Laidlaw with dead snake and children

Beach inspectors at Bondi. Left to right, Bill Willis, Aub Laidlaw; Brian Davidson

Beach inspectors in their new uniforms at Bondi. Left to right, J. Lapthorne, A. Laidlaw, W. Pugh (Tamarama), T. Meagher (Chief Inspector), R. Riley (Bronte) and J. Dobson.

Document

The great Aussie cossie

Bikini Wars: 1940-1960

Audio

Interview with Aubrey Laidlaw

Transcripts

Transcript: oral history interview with Aubrey Laidlaw