Gordon Cunningham "Cungy" - Club Legend

Gordon 'Cungy" Cunningham was a symbol of everything that was decent and worthwhile about the members of North Bondi during the war years. He was Club boat captain, a tireless beltman during the club's finest march past victories and as a serving member of the NSW Police Force, he had stayed at home while many of his fellow members had gone off to war.
His Finest hour came,as reported by the Daily Telegraph of 13 December, 1941 when he "Dashed off Tram to Launch Boat for Surf Rescue". When Gungy saw lifesavers trying to effect a rescue in heavy seas early that morning, he jumped off the moving tram and raced to the surfclub to get the surf boat out and with an inexperienced crew, went to the rescue.
A young man ans a 10 year old boy had been swept 400 yards out in a strong undertow. Beach Inspector, Tom Meagher, who assisted in the rescue commented" if it had not been for the wonderful swim of Joe Dillon and Cunningham's remarkable skill in getting the boat out to us through heavy seas, with an inexperienced crew, I doubt if we would have got back in tact."
Cunningham was recognised by the Surf Life Saving Association and Royal Humane Shipwreck Society, as well as receiving the J.B Crampsie trophy for the "Most heroic aquatic deed performed by a member of the NSW Police Force.'
This photo still hangs prominently in the club premises with the poem below, symbolising the life of Gordon Cunningham and all those who selflessly serve the club.

He took the sweep when the surf was tough, and hurled commands to his crew
and spent many hours on the moonlit sands, instructing the old and the new.
In the march-past squad North's drilled as a team, and every man did his share
but the standard[bearer counted a lot, and "Cungy" was always there.
He taught junior members to box and row, and also to 'play the game'
from North to South the surfing clubs will always honour his name.
Fate plays grim jests, and we mortals left just struggle on best we can,
but to Gordon we'll drink a silent toast, for the world has lost a MAN.