People at the beach – Inverloch History

It is fairly typical of most people upon arriving at Inverloch, they immediately go to see the beach and the pier area. Even regular Inverloch holidaymakers and local residents, tend to check out the sea, the beach and the pier are still there, and in their normal condition. Sometimes they are in for a surprise – maybe the sand has moved – rocks have appeared – and on some occasions, the pier has been altered in some way.

Over the years much focus has occurred around the pier, for it offers a platform to obtain a general view of the surrounding inlet, sea and countryside. The pier, associated with a boat ramp, offers the sailing fraternity of all kinds, a starting point for their holiday adventure. A collection of Inverloch photo invariably includes some of the Pier. One feature is always apparent, be it the Edwardian era of the early 1900’s and most certainly today – young people, mainly male, jumping off the pier, boasting of their daring exploits.

But the sand and the beach are all conquering and desirable. It is on the beach, be it at quiet Anderson’s Inlet or on the more adventurous surf coast facing Bass Strait, with all the thrill of surfing and fighting the incoming waves, that allows everybody the opportunity to relax in their particular way. As one examines the photos of over the last 100 years, you can usually tell what vintage and general year the photograph is by the way people dress. Today men do not wear felt hats as standard dress. For women, hairstyles change as does the mode of dress. What male today dresses in a suit and tie when going to the beach? Yet years ago our forefathers did! What female today wears a swimming costume where their legs and shoulders are covered, and even where any part of the body is exposed – yet years ago this was the case.

This is a great photo (note the old pier in the background), showing possibly a family group enjoying the beach. Strangely, nobody seems particularly happy. Note – the head covering the girls are wearing – the bathing costumes and the area they cover. This is not about ‘slip-slop’, and protecting yourself from the sun, it’s simply the then accepted style. This photo is possibly in the late 1920’s – early 1930’s.

The date of this photo is quite clear – 1942 – is interesting in itself, for photography was almost absent during World War 2. It must have been developed and printed privately. Note what the men are wearing. They are not in beach attire that we might expect today – note the man’s hat – the leggings of the man on the pier, dressed for something in particular. The other male is clearly a boy, dressed in long trousers and coat. Richard James on the Inverloch Pier with Hughie Hamil & Jack ‘Rat’ Dell on sand.

All activities are centred around the original old Inverloch Pier – boating, sitting on the beach, bathing, simply strolling on the pier and so on. The style of dress tells us that the time is early 1920’s – hats, suits and so on!

These two photos were taken during the Edwardian period, possibly on Regatta Day (New Years Day), when many major activities took place. Inverloch Pier – Regatta Day on New Year’s Day 1910’s or early 1920’s.

In the top centre right, can be seen a light shading in the sea – this is possibly a sandbar. Sandbars have been features of Anderson Inlet for many, many years. They are not new phenomena.

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