Cloud Wave at Redhead Beach – A southerly buster on the way around 1984. I took this and then headed for cover. The cloud looked like an enormous right hander.

Cloud Wave - Storm approaching Redhead Beach 1984

Cloud Wave – Storm approaching Redhead Beach 1984

 

Jewells Swamp – Solarisation 1978. I tried to make the trees growing out of the swamp look a bit spooky by reversing the developing process – called Solarization. Actually I just switched the light on in the dark room when the photo started developing and all the light bits went black.
Reflections
The Cliffs from Redhead to Dudley and the rock platform below are well worth a look. Access is from the Goat Track at Redhead Bluff. Wild flowers are everywhere along the top in Spring and there are a variety of interesting rock formations down below.
Rehead to Dudley Coastline 1980's

Rehead to Dudley Coastline 1980′s

This close up of the tree roots of a Paper Bark tree along the Redhead to Dudley Bluff Tops had some scary features. Maybe its just me that sees them.
Tree Roots
Redhead Shark Tower in the June 2007 Storm. The wind, waves and rain whipped up a creamy froth that covered the beach.
Redhead Shark Tower storm june 2007
The history of surfboards - A collection of all types of surfboards, gathered together for a photo shoot at Redhead Beach before being shown at the Surf Expo in the 1980’s.
 
Redhead Board Expo
A popular event on the beach in the 1980’s was the Beach Girl Contest as shown here at Redhead Beach.
Redhead Beach Girl Contest 1
Redhead Beach at night – Time exposure taken around 1984.
 
Redhead Beach by Moonlight 1984
Redhead Beach by Moonlight 1984

 

Another photo from the same night as above – The rocks in front of the Redhead Shark Tower. The movement of the water over time has made it appear like clouds.

Shark Tower Time Exp

Redhead Beach in the 1940’s  – Details of photo unknown.

Redhead arial 1940s

 

Time exposure overlooking Redhead beach with a full moon rising in 1976.

Redhead Beach by Moonlight 1976

Redhead Beach by Moonlight 1976

 

 Redhead 2nd Creek – June 2007 Storm.

The Pascha Bulker grounded at Nobbys and Redhead’s Second Creek finally got enough water to break its banks and flow again. A rare thing since the 3rd Creek was created and diverted the water flow.

Redhead Beach 2nd Creek June 2007 Storm

Redhead Beach 2nd Creek June 2007 Storm

Mark Richards, 4 times world surfing champion taking time out to surf a local break.

 Mark Richards at Leggy Point

 

Martin Littlewood and Roy Lee making boards in the old Chicken Shed down along the Redhead Road around 1976. Both are now established respected board makers. Martin as Delta Designs in Margaret River and Roy as Pacific Dreams in Newcastle.

Marty & Roy Making Boards

 

Windsurfing was big in the 70’s and Jim Wiley was one of the best shown here at Blacksmiths.

Jim Whiley

 

This was a big day at Redhead in 2001, the waves were huge and some of the local guys were ripping. Unknown surfer.

Unknown surfer Redhead Beach July 2001

Unknown surfer Redhead Beach July 2001

 

A classic line up at Byron Bay in the late 70’s

Byron Bay surf

 

Bells Beach Surfing Competion in 1977. The surf was good and big for the finals. Sorry I can’t remember who it was.

Bells Beach Finals 1977

 

Another good line up – Newcastle Cowrie Hole in 1978.

Cowrie Hole 1978

Out of control storm in June 2007 making a mess of Redhead beach. The storm grounded the Pascha Bulker at Nobby’s the day before.

Redhead storm surf

Cold Chisel first came up to Newcastle in the late 1970’s and played at the local southern pubs and clubs the Orana, Belmont Sporties, Mawson, Swansea Workers and went on to bigger things quick. They always played their guts out and got a big Newcastle following. great guys too. Ian Moss wowed us with guitar, Jimmy Barnes revved the crowds, Don Walker’s songs made us listen and the beat was held by Phil and Steve.

Ian Moss at Belmont Sporties
Ian Moss at Belmont Sporties

 

Jimmy Barnes at Cardiff Workers early 80's
Jimmy Barnes at Cardiff Workers early 80′s
 
Here is a rare view of Don Walker as he was always behind the keyboards.
Don Walker loosens up at Belmont Sporties 1980
Don Walker loosens up at Belmont Sporties 1980
 
In the late 70’s and early 80’s Cold Chisel regularly visited around Newcastle and we always had a good night when they played.
Cold Chisel Group Shot Belmont Sporties 1980
Cold Chisel Group Shot Belmont Sporties 1980
 
Another hard working band, The Angels always kept the crowd on their feet hooting, with Doc bouncing around and the guitars riffing.
Doc Neeson from The Angels at the Mawson
Doc Neeson from The Angels at the Mawson
 
Midnight Oil played at the Mawson in the late 70’s and were awsome. Peter Garret had the audience hooting.

Midnight Oil Mawson 1976

Jimmy and the boys were outrageous and played great stuff. Ignatious was a showman and always up to mischief to say the least. Rumours were he left a lot of gigs in the roadies gear boxes. Here at he Belmont Sporties  I had no idea what he was going to do next.

Jimmy and the Boys - Ignatious Jones
Jimmy and the Boys – Ignatious Jones
 

Surfing at Redhead

I started surfing at Redhead in 1963. Redhead was always a great place to surf with good surfers. Somehow I found time to take some photos along the way.

Col Smith was Redhead’s best surfer and in the 70’s and 80’s became respected for his surfing world wide.

Col Smith Channel Boards he took to Hawaii
Col Smith Channel Boards he took to Hawaii
 
Col Smith the day before heading to Hawaii with his new channel boards made by Shane, shaped by Jim Pollard. Col went well in Hawaii in 1976  winning the Pro AM and places in all other events including 4th at Pipe.
Col Smith Redhead early 70's 
Col Smith surfing next to the Shark Tower at Redhead about 1976.
Col Smith in his shaping Bay making Channel Boards
Col Smith in his shaping Bay making Channel Boards
 
Col started making his own harder edged Channels in his Dad’s Shed that he and Martin Littlewood from Delta Designs worked out. This one was my 6?5? single fin.

Martin Littlewood was another good Redhead surfer in the 70’s shown here at Redhead Beach. Martin has been making surfboards since then and is now over at Margaret River WA making all kinds of surf boards under the name Delta Designs.

Martin surfing 70s

Martin Littlewood Redhead Beach 1976

Peter Kuba was another good surfer from Redhead shown here in a nice tube same day as the photo above.

Peter Kuba surfing at Redhead 1976
Peter Kuba surfing at Redhead 1976
 
Here is Col Smith again in an excellent position, making getting a good photo easy. These lefts next to the Redhead Shark Tower were solid this day in 1976.

Col Smith 4 Redhead

Col Smith Redhead Beach 1976 

Redhead Boardriders Club was very competetive and finished 2nd to Merewether in the  Newcastle area teams comps, having a great surfer like Col Smith helped. This team photo after a club competition was held at Col’s place and all members were having a good time as usual.

Redhead Board Club 1976
Redhead Board Club 1976
 

Cold Chisel toured Newcastle constantly making Newcastle a Chisel stronghold. The music suited our town’s working class fans and were always great shows.

After another great gig at the Mawson, Don Walker gets to sit down and relax and takes the jar going around. Don was always thinking… and well, just  maybe he comes up with inspiration and the first words for a new song (Cheap Wine).

Don Walker and Cheap Wine
Don Walker and Cheap Wine
Jimmy Barnes belting it out at Cardiff Workers Club around 1979.
Jimmy Barnes Cardiff Workers Club around 1979
Jimmy Barnes Cardiff Workers Club around 1979
 
Bass Player Phil Small same night as above.
Cold Chisel bass player Phil Small 1979 Cardiff Workers Club
Cold Chisel bass player Phil Small 1979 Cardiff Workers Club
 
Ian Moss into another great guitar solo Belmont Sporties Club around 1978.
Ian Moss Belmont Sporties around 1978
Ian Moss Belmont Sporties around 1978
 
Ian and Jim same night as above.
Ian Moss and Jimmy Barnes Belmont Sporties around 1978
Ian Moss and Jimmy Barnes Belmont Sporties around 1978
 
Cold Chisel Sydney Sports Stadium same bill as Peter Framton  around 1978.
 
Cold Chisel Sydney Stadium around 1978
Cold Chisel Sydney Stadium around 1978
 
Jimmy Barnes claps to the rythm coming from Don and Phil behind him at Belmont Sporties Club around 1978.
 
Cold Chisel - Barnesy with Don and Phil around 1978
Cold Chisel – Barnesy with Don and Phil around 1978
 
Ian Moss Mawson Hotel around 1978
Ian Moss Mawson Hotel around 1978
Ian Moss Mawson Hotel around 1978
 

I am going through my old photos, negatives and slides I have had stashed away for years and picking out some interesting old shots. 

Peter Kuba jams a cutback on the inside rights next to Redhead Shark Tower around 1978.

Peter Kuba cuts back Redhead 1979
Peter Kuba cuts back Redhead 1979
 
Bill Giles on a big left behind the Redhead Shark Tower around 1978.
Bill Giles Big Left at Redhead around 1978
Bill Giles Big Left at Redhead around 1978
 
 Taken on the same day as the above – unknown surfer at Redhead, whoever he was, he knew what he was doing.
Unknown surfer Redhead big day1978
Unknown surfer Redhead big day1978
 
Water shot – no one on it, but  still worth a click Redhead Little Beach 1978.
 
Redhead Little Beach water shot 1978
Redhead Little Beach water shot 1978
 
Bells beach finalists 1977, nervously waiting for the results, they all surfed well, but Simon Anderson eventually got the nod for first place.
Bells Beach finalists 1977
Bells Beach finalists 1977
 
Unknown surfer Bells Beach 1977
Unknown surfer Bells Beach 1977
Unknown surfer Bells Beach 1977
 
Paul Bates pulls into a nice left next to Redhead Shark Tower around 1976.
Paul Bates Redhead 1976
Paul Bates Redhead 1976
 
On a trip up the coast mid week, we got Boomerang to ourselves for a while. Kneeboarder Paul “Foot” Johnson on a ruler straight wall around 1978.
Paul "Flatfoot" Johnson at Boomerang around 1978
Paul “Flatfoot” Johnson at Boomerang around 1978
 
Paul took the camera duties to catch me on a couple.
Crow at Boomerang 1988
Crow at Boomerang 1988
 

Gary “Boston” Searl gets the wave of the day at Redhead’s Little Beach around 1979.

Gary "Boston" Searl on a Big Left at Redhead around 1979
Gary “Boston” Searl on a Big Left at Redhead around 1979
 
Redhead’s Col Smith on a big grey wave at Redhead around 1979.
Col Smith on a big wave at Redhead around 1979
Col Smith on a big wave at Redhead around 1979
 
Water shot of  Wayne ”Smiley” Warmsley on the Little Beach at Redhead around 1979.
Smiley Warmsley surfing Redhead around 1979
Smiley Warmsley surfing Redhead around 1979
 
Greg ” Bugsy” Bargwana on a speed run surfing at Redhead Beach around 1978.
Greg "Bugsy" Bargwana Surfing at Redhead around 1978
Greg “Bugsy” Bargwana Surfing at Redhead around 1978
 
Col Smith executes a nice bottom turn at Redhead around 1978, riding an early Jim Pollard channel bottom.
Col Smith Bottom turn at Redhead 1978
Col Smith Bottom turn at Redhead 1978
 
Col Smith showing off one of the Hawaiian bound Jim Pollard Channel designs and his sponsor Trackers jacket. The channels worked well for Col there. Taken the day before he left for Hawaii around 1976.
 
Col Smith with Hawaiian bound Jim Pollard Channel Board
Col Smith with Hawaiian bound Jim Pollard Channel Board
 

Newcastle has a few favourite sons – MR, The Chief, Joey, Hoyo etc, but everybody’s favourite Newcastle identity is this bloke – Super Hubert. Internationally acclaimed magician, super hero, entertainer, comic and all round nice bloke, who still finds time to make kids and adults laugh and amaze them with his tricks and antics. Super puts on a show for my son’s 6th birthday party 1994.

Super Hubert performs at a kids birthday party in 1994
Super Hubert performs at Sams 6th birthday party in 1994
 
A peaceful scene – an elderly couple take in the view overlooking Terrigal Haven around 1983.
An elderly couple take in the view at Terrigal Haven 1983
An elderly couple take in the view at Terrigal Haven 1983
 
A big swell overnight cleaned up and swung in early morning at Redhead
Big left behind Rdehead Shark Tower 1979
Big left behind Redhead Shark Tower 1979
 
In the pouring rain this pelican just opened up his beak and got a free drink of fresh cool water at North Haven.
A pelican takes a drink of rainwater at North Haven around 1988
A pelican takes a drink of rainwater at North Haven around 1988
 
A flight in a friends Cessna over Lake Macquarie was an absolute eye opener. Looking over Swansea Channel around 1979.
Swansea Channel from the air 1978.
Swansea Channel from the air 1978.
 
A trip out in the Newcastle Shark Boat got 3 hammerheads out of the water this day around 1978.
Hammer Head Shark pulled out of the shark nets around 1978
Hammer Head Shark pulled out of the shark nets around 1978
 
A country coastal dirt road may lead you to an uncrowded wave. If it didnt, it was nice to look around anyway and maybe just have a swim. Somewhere up the coast around Coffs Harbour 1978.
Country Road North Coast around Coffs Harbour 1978
Country Road North Coast around Coffs Harbour 1978
 

Lou Reed came to the Civic and gave a great show, I was lurking about a bit back from the stage with my camera when a big wild hairy guy picked me up put me on his front row seat and said “now take an fn picture mate”. Lou eyballed me, I clicked and then Lou just winked at me and carried on the great show.

Lou Reed about 1978 at the Civic Theatre
Lou Reed about 1978 at the Civic Theatre
 
I just love this one – when opposites attract. Jimmy & The Boys Ignatious Jones, Neo Punk meets Nimbin shoeless Hippe girl and rock out together regardless. A fan gets up and helps out Jimmy and the Boys at Belmont Sporties around 1978.
Jimmy and The Boys with a fan at Belmont Sporties
Jimmy and The Boys with a fan at Belmont Sporties
 
Joe Cocker played the Civic, didnt sing out of tune and put on a great show. His band were great.
Joe Cocker Civic Theatre around 1978
Joe Cocker Civic Theatre around 1978
 
Cold Chisel’s Jimmy Barnes hard at work as usual Cardiff Workers around 1978.
Cold Chisel's Jimmy Barnes Cardiff Workers around 1978
Cold Chisel’s Jimmy Barnes Cardiff Workers around 1978
 
Cold Chisel’s Ian Moss also hard at work around the same time.
Cold Chisel's Ian Moss Cardiff Workers 1978
Cold Chisel’s Ian Moss Cardiff Workers 1978
 
Midnight Oil’s Peter Garret at the Mawson Hotel  1978. He inspired all us unco guys to just get up and have a go when the music gets ya. I got caned in primary school for bad dancing.
Midnight Oils Peter Garret Mawson 1978
Midnight Oils Peter Garret Mawson 1978
 
Kevin Coyne – scottish folk/rock/social critic had an album out called Marjory Razorblade in the late 1980’s which I recommed listening to. He played the Newcastle Uni solo and was just awsome. His guitar stlye is unique, using his thumb on the frett board to make chords, he has a very powerful strumming style.
Kevin Coyne Newcstle Uni 1978
Kevin Coyne Newcstle Uni 1978
 

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