History
The Mermaid Beach AEME Surf Life Saving Club has a proud and unique history, deeply connected to both the Second World War and the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Towards the end of 1945, as military servicemen awaited discharge from the Army, they were encouraged to take up sport and community activities. Among those who answered that call were servicemen of the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, known as AEME, who had been stationed at the Bulimba workshops in Brisbane.
During the Second World War, from 1941 to 1945, the area now known as Mermaid Beach had played an important wartime role. At that time, it was known as Los Angeles Beach, a name given by United States forces who used the area for amphibious training exercises alongside Australian troops preparing for the Allied advance against Japan. The American-built Higgins LCVPs, used in this type of training, would later be praised by General Dwight D. Eisenhower as vital to Allied victory in the Pacific.
After the war ended in September 1945, a group of serving AEME soldiers returned to the beach with the aim of establishing a surf life saving club. Permission was granted by the Surf Life Saving Association, and the AEME Surf Life Saving Club was formed on what is now Mermaid Beach. True to the AEME motto, Arte et Marte — “With Skill and Fighting” — these “Crafties” built a simple clubhouse in the dunes overlooking the beach.
The club was originally known as the AEME Surf Life Saving Club. On 11 September 1946, the area was officially renamed Mermaid Beach, and the club became known as the Mermaid Beach AEME Surf Life Saving Club. The founders proudly retained the AEME acronym in the club’s name, preserving the connection to the servicemen who had established it.
The origin of the name “Mermaid Beach” is not certain. Some believe it may have come from explorer John Oxley’s survey ship, HMS Mermaid, which passed along this coastline in 1823.
In 1948, in recognition of distinguished wartime service, AEME received Royal Patronage and became the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, or RAEME. This further strengthened the proud Corps connection carried by the club’s early founders.
Since 1945, Mermaid Beach AEME Surf Life Saving Club has continued to serve the community with a strong beach safety ethos, saving thousands of lives and helping shape the local identity of Mermaid Beach. The legacy of those original AEME servicemen lives on through the enduring “Mermaid Spirit” and the club’s proud AEME heritage.
Corporal Horace Armstrong – President & Chief Instructor
Staff Sergeant William Snodgrass – Secretary
AEME Craftsman Benjamin Stoyles – Treasurer
AEME Craftsman Rodney Kingham
AEME Craftsman Robert Kippen
AEME Craftsman Desmond Taylor
AEME Craftsman Dornford Wysall
Eric (Sammy) & Iris Keys (civilians)
Complimentary Lifetime Membership
RAEME Association Queensland is proud to be associated with the Mermaid Beach AEME SLSC. To honour the traditions of the club, it kindly allows all financial RAQ Queensland Members free Lifetime Membership to the Surf Club. For members to obtain your membership simply download and complete an Application Form and send this to the RAQ Membership email address on the application.
Once approved your membership card can be picked up at the Surf Club (Please note membership cards will not be posted out, they must be collected).
2021 - 75th Anniversary of the founding of the Mermaid Beach (AEME) Surf Life Saving Club
The Mermaid Beach AEME Surf Lifesaving Club was first established in 1946 by members of the AEME Bulimba Watercraft Workshops as the AEME Surf Lifesaving Club. In 1946 when the beach was officially gazetted as Mermaid Beach, the club retained the AEME name in honour of our founders.
The club was preparing a celebration of the 75th Anniversary in 2020 but the Covid19 and associated shutdown, meant this was put on the back burner. The anniversary celebrations were held on 15 May 2021.
