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pods for primates : a catalogue of surfboards in australia since 1900

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manufacturers : wallace surfboards

A major manufacturer, the company maintained a high standard and a quality stable of shapers 1955 - 1974. Bill Wallace shaped or manufactured through a massive range of designs and construction techniques. One of the Brookvale Five - manufacturers with national sales and reputation in the ten years 1962 to 1972.

In 1948 Bill Wallace was sweep of the Bronte SLSC boat.
- Photograph, unsourced, on display at Scott Dillon's Legends Surfing Museum, Coffs Harbour, June 2005.

1955
Bondi, Bill Wallace's' first production, mainly through Surf Life Saving Clubs.
Hollow timber boards. Toothpicks - Australian Racing Sixteens

48 Yarna Street Waverley Sydney Phone FW-3690
Early foam board with expanded foam/shrunken stringer.
Black circle decal with Gull.

1957
Hollow timber adaptation of the Malibu board
Okinouees

1958
10 Thomas Street Bronte FW-3690

1960
129 - 131 McPherson Street Bronte Phone FW-3490

1963 December Factory moved to 8 Winbourne Road Brookvale:

1960 Dick van Straalen,

1964 Bob McTavish, leaves for extended shaping sessions Hayden Surfboards, Queensland.

1970 Junior (Popout) ,

1972 Frank Latta ,

1974, circa. Noosa Queensland - Bill Wallace Stinger

Catalogue Entries

1960 Wallace Bellyboard
3 ft 11" Balsa

1963 Wallace Kneeboard
5 ft 3"

1969 Wallace Vee Bottom
7 ft 8"

1969 Wallace Tracker
7 ft 3" Stringerless

1970 Wallace Pop-out
6 ft 1/2" Marbled

Advertisement 1970 : Popouts

Unique poduction methods have enabled us to offer this
high quality, low weight model at the low cost of $59.
Length is 5' to 5' 3'' and the board has a round tail and round nose design.
With a total weight of eight pound, it is ideal for all junior and lightweight surfers.
The Junior moodel is available direct from factory to you
(packaging and freight are free to anywhere in Australia)
or can be bought at any SURF'N'GEAR SHOP.
Larger models also available. 5' 6'' to 5' 9''
WILLIAM WALLACE SURFBOARDS
8 WINBOURNE RD., BROOKVALE. PH. 93.1472
From....Surfing World Volume 14 No. 5 1970
Accompanying text reformatted for legability....

Notes :
1. ''Unique production methods''
2. Uniform shape.
3. Marbled resin decor.
4. Camel or S-deck, a common feature of the period.

Decals and Other

Black script, circa 1965.

David Williams from the Warrnambool Board
Riders Club (Vic) 1966.
September 2008, with thanks.

Image left:
Sydney surfboard industry representatives donate
surfboards to Australian
servicemen in South Vietnam,
July 1966.

Photograph courtesy of
Dennis McDonagh.

From left to right...
Mr. Platt: Platts Boardshorts, first local surfwear manufacturer.
Denny Keogh: Keyo Surfboards
Colonel P. Trancred: Australian Army.
Scott Dillon: Scott Dillon Surfboards
Bob Brewester: Manly Stor-a-Bord and Bower Boy Surf Wax.
Gordon Woods: Gordon Woods Surfboards
Denis McDonagh: McDonagh Surfboards
Bill Wallace: Wallace Surfboards
Barry Bennett: Barry Bennett Surfboards
Also see photograph: Australian War Memorial (SMT/66/01179/EC)
The photograph was circulated with the following press release:

SMT/66/179/EC July 1966

Nearly $500 worth of surfboard equipment, given by seven manufacturers, was handed over to the Australian Army on behalf troops in South Vietnam, at Victoria Barracks, Paddington, on Wednesday, July 20.

The equipment was received by the Acting Chief of Staff (Colonel P. Tancred).
Pictured receiving the boards, Colonel Tancred thanks Denis McDonagh (McDonagh Bros Surf Boards Pty Ltd, Harbord Road, Brookvale) , on behalf of the manufacturers.

The manufacturers with their gifts from the left are,
Messrs Lance Platt (L. and J. Platt, Surfrider Board Shorts, of Foam Street, Harbord),
Danny Keogh (Keogh Surf Boards Pty Ltd., of Sydenham Road, Brookvale) ,
Scott Dillon (Scott Dillon Surf Board Pty Ltd, of Vlinbourne Road, Brookvale),
Bob Brewster (Manly Surf Shop and Stor-A-Bord, Pittwater Road, Manly),
Grodon Woods (Gordon Woods Surf Boards Pty Ltd, Harbord Road, Brookvale),
Bill Wallace (Wallace Surf Boards, Winbourne Road, Brookvale),
Barry Bennett (Barry Bennett Surf Boards pty Ltd, Harbord Road, Brookvale).

Text courtesy of Dennis McDonagh.Keyo Surfboards

Bill Wallace Summer Board, circa 1965
Image, with thanks, by Allan Attwood.

Floral Circle, circa 1967

Wallace Surfboards
10 St. Thomas Street Bronte, Sydney.
FW.3690
Balsawood Pig board, circa 1958
Photographs at Surf's Up At Gerringong
Board Display, August 2005.
Thanks to Scott Andrews

Hand painted "Donald Duck"
Balsawood Pig Wallace Surfboard,
circa 1958
10 St. Thomas Street Bronte, Sydney

Photographs at Surf's Up At Gerringong
Board Display, August 2005.
Thanks to Scott Andrews

Wallace laminated decal, Bronte, circa 1963.
Photograph at Sydney Surf Auction,
Harbord Diggers Club,
22nd September 2007.
Thanks to Mick Mock.

Wallace laminated decal, Brookvale, circa 1964.

Decal image thanks to Mick Tunstable, August 2009.

William Wallace
Surfboards with Soul.
Laminated decal, Brookvale, circa 1971.

Decal image thanks to Ozzy, August 2010.