Jack Chalmers

Jack Chalmers was a life member who joined the club in 1919. He served with the AIF in WWI and was awarded SLSA 50 Years Service Award. He won the Club's first Australian Belt Championship on Bondi Beach in 1921. For his meritorious rescue of Milton Coughlan at Coogee Bech on 4 February 1922, he was awarded the Albert Medal (now the George Cross) and the number one Silver Medal of the SLSA.
Jack Chalmers was instrumental in the rescue of Milton Coughlan. He swam to aid Coughlan after he had been attacked by a shark. Club Members had gathered at Coogee for a Surf Race. A reel not in use was hurried out to the rocks but had no belt on it. Chalmers tied the rope around his waist and swam to the swimmer. It was noted as an act of exceptional bravery.