Bieri Sisters - Mornington Life Saving Club
Olga Bieri and the Founding of the Mornington Life Saving Club: A Legacy of Water Safety
In 1914, the serene shores of Mills Beach in Mornington became the birthplace of a transformative initiative—the Mornington Life Saving Club (MLSC). Amidst the backdrop of rising community consciousness about water safety, one figure stood out: Olga Bieri, a passionate advocate who wove her personal commitment to life-saving into the very fabric of the club’s founding and early success.
The Bieri family, with deep roots in community service, were integral to Mornington’s social development. Olga and her sister Elsa, inspired by their father Fred Bieri’s dedication to public welfare, took on leadership roles in the newly formed life-saving club. Olga’s advocacy extended beyond Mornington; she fervently championed the need for swimming lessons in schools. In her writings, Olga lamented the lack of swimming knowledge among children, referencing a heartbreaking incident where a young girl drowned in front of 1,100 students who, despite their willingness, couldn’t help. This tragedy galvanized her mission: “Life must be protected... it is our duty to have swimming taught, so every boy or girl may lend aid when a comrade is in peril.”
Under Olga’s guidance, the Mornington Life Saving Club quickly became a beacon of community-driven water safety. By affiliating with the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), the club not only trained local children in life-saving techniques but also rose to national prominence. In its inaugural year, it achieved second place for highest points in RLSS competitions—a testament to the club's dedication and Olga's leadership.
The club’s success went beyond a community achievement; it was a validation of Olga’s vision for integrated water safety education. She believed that swimming should be a compulsory skill, woven into the educational fabric of every child’s upbringing. Her advocacy extended to demonstrations at beaches and public baths, further embedding water safety into the community’s consciousness.
Olga’s influence also reached the South St. Kilda Life Saving Club, where she continued her work in teaching and demonstrating life-saving techniques. Her impact was profound, leading to a cultural shift that recognised swimming not merely as recreation but as a critical life skill. As Olga urged in her public appeals, “In the name of the Society, let me urge the people to appreciate the work carried on voluntarily for their benefit and demand that swimming be made compulsory in State schools.”
Today, the Mornington Life Saving Club stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Olga Bieri. Her unwavering dedication not only established a cornerstone of water safety in Mornington but also inspired future generations to value the life-saving power of swimming. Through her efforts, the club became more than a local institution—it became a symbol of how individual passion can ripple into community transformation.
Image 1: Bieri Sisters Credit: Mornington Lifesaving Club
Image 2: Mornington Baths Credit: Mornington Lifesaving Club
