1945

Johnny Peard joined Bondi Surf Club as a Cadet Lifesaver in 1959 and gained his Bronze Medallion in 1961. John acquired the nickname “Dissa”, as a play on his surname.

“Dissa” was a fine swimmer and a team member in the 1962/63 Junior 6 person R & R team that won the Australian Title. He gained his instructors certificate in 1963, and was a Patrol Captain in 1965/66.

John’s first love was Rugby League and he played Junior League with Bondi United Easts alongside his mates from the Surf Club.

In 1966 John joined the Easts Senior team. Easts won the Grand Final in 1974 and ’75 with Peard as the playmaker. When Terry Fearnley became coach of Parramatta, he coaxed some of his squad from Easts, including John, to make the switch. This became the start of a golden era for Parramatta, with John as the 5/8.

Rugby League had introduced the “six-tackle rule” to make the game more attractive. This meant that the attacking team had to hand over possession on the sixth tackle. Peardy, as playmaker, developed a technique where on the sixth tackle he kicked the ball in a high punt; the ball would hover high over the try line. Parramatta had athletic players who could leap up, catch the ball and score. This combination won lots of games for Parramatta. The sporting press christened the technique “the bomb” and John, the “Bomber”. Parramatta won Grand Finals from 1976 to 1979. After retiring, John Peard coached Parramatta and later Penrith.

Courtesy Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club.