1971 - 2022

Tanya Jackson moved to Bondi in 1989 and, finding it hard to leave, became a Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club long-service member. The multi-talented lifesaver, lifesaving history archivist and artist excelled at the many activities she took on.

Tanya was born in Canberra, but moved to Sydney to study an Education and Fine Arts degree at Sydney University. She gained first class honours and was fast-tracked into a classroom at Coogee. While studying, she was a regular at Bondi Pavilion pottery studio. She excelled at ceramics, then print-making - often drawing on the beach for inspiration. It led her to a residency at the famous Atelier 17 in Paris.

In 2000, Tanya joined the surf club, completed her Bronze medallion at Bronte having performed real rescues during the assessment. Her lifesaving achievements included winning the Ron Turner surf race and runner-up in the 2003 Mike Shearman trophy. She was an active vice-captain on Craven patrol and, in 2003, became one of the club’s first female vice-presidents.

That year she set up the 100-Year Book Committee. She recognised the club needed a skilled historian with plenty of time to research the nation’s first lifesaving organisation. ‘Bondi Lifesaver: a history of an Australian icon’, launched in the 2007 Year of the Lifesaver, became a bestseller.

In 2018 Tanya formed a Museum Committee to create a club space to honour lifesaving history. Her catalogue work attracted the National Museum’s attention. It is now a project partner. Her surf archive report for the National Library revealed the club’s treasures are of national significance. Tanya also found funding for conserving club war memorials, its Grand Old Flag and collection of swimwear and unique fabric items.

Another passion was the Bondi Story Room. She loved that it tells stories of Bondi’s people. She gathered more than 40, including female role models celebrated at the Women in Lifesaving 40th breakfast.

During the bushfires, the club shipped 30 tonnes of supplies to South Coast communities and Tanya was there from the first delivery. She lived with passion and purpose and her commitment greatly enriched the club.

Courtesy Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club.