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stevens and forrest : surf riding at lorne, 1963.

Fae Stevens and Ian Forrest : Surf Riding at Lorne, 1963.

Illustrations and extract from
Stevens, Fae Hewston:
Koronglea Holidays.
Illustrated by Ian Nimmo Forrest
Ward Lock and Co., London, Melbourne, Cape Town,1963.

Introduction.
Centred on the Dixon family's property, Koronglea, a big sheep and wheat farm in northern Victoria, this is one of five in the Koronglea series of Australian children's books, all illustrated by Ian Nimmo Forrest.
In the third book, Mr. Dixon and the boys Max, Hugh and Johnny visit Melbourne and then drive to Lorne to try surfboard riding.
Later that day they take the ferry cross Port Phillip Bay from Queenscliff to Sorrento and Portsea, returning to Geelong for dinner.

The surfing illustration on the dust jacket extends to the back and their are two black and white sketches inside.

Page 144

21: A Visit to Surf Beaches

(In Melbourne) After leisurely strolling through some of the big stores, and looking at the attractive window displays, the boys made their way back to the hotel in time to wash and change for dinner.
Johnny loved to study the large menu, and spent many absorbing moments choosing each course.

(Dinner described.)

Page 145

(After dinner, Mr. Dixon and the boys attend a live variety show in an air-conditioned theatre.)

As they strolled back to the hotel, they commented on the music and dancing, while Johnny tried to remember the best jokes.
"I must write them down the minute we get inside," he said, "otherwise I know I'll forget them, and I want to tell them to the kids at school.
What are we doing tomorrow, Dad ?"
"I haven't made any plans," said Mr. Dixon. "Has anyone any good ideas? "
"Have you any surf beaches near Melbourne? " asked Hugh.

Page 146

"Not very close to the city, because Port Phillip Bay is such a huge expanse of water.
But we have some very good surf beaches, Hugh, and I think it might be a very good idea to visit some of them tomorrow."
"Which will it be, Dad ? " asked Max.
"Portsea or Queenscliff ? "
"Perhaps we could do both," said Mr. Dixon.
"We could drive to Queenscliff, and take the ferry to Portsea."
"That's a colossal idea," said Johnny.
"Off to bed, then," said his father, "and we will make a good early start."

They had an early breakfast, and drove through the city streets before the morning traffic became too dense.
It was a fast drive along the super-highway to Geelong, where they turned off towards Queenscliff.
"Will we try the surf at Queenscliff or Point Lonsdale ? " asked Max.
"Torquay is reckoned to be Victoria's best surf beach," said Mr. Dixon, "so I suggest we do some surfing there before lunch.
Then we can come back and take a ferry to the other side of the heads, and you can do some more surfing at Sorrento or Portsea this afternoon.
We can have dinner at Geelong and drive back to the city in the cool of the evening."
"You have some wonderful ideas, Dad," said Max happily.

They pulled up on the cliffs at Point Lonsdale to watch a very large ocean liner go through the Port Phillip Heads, then continued along the coast, through Barwon Heads, to Torquay.
"I've heard that this is a tricky beach," said Max.
"Sometimes it is too rough to go surfing."
" Well, your luck is in today," said his father.
"I can see quite a number of people in the water."

The boys managed to hire surf boards and soon they were all in among the long rolling breakers.
Mr. Dixon was not very good at surfing and preferred to stay near the edge, occasionally diving through a breaker, and keeping an eye on the boys.
Max and Hugh were experts, but Johnny had

Page 147

Frontispiece

not had much experience, and soon gave up trying and joined his father.

"I've swallowed enough sea water to do me the rest of my life," he gasped, as he emerged from the froth and foam of an extra big wave, and rescued his surf board, which had tossed him like an untamed colt.
"It all comes with practice," laughed his father, " and you and I have not had the opportunity to practice."
"I love these big waves though," said Johnny, jumping up with the rising water.
"It makes the old Bay pretty dull, doesn't it ? Look ! Here comes Max again. I'll duck back to the car for the camera. I'd love a shot of him riding the breakers like that."

When the boys decided that it was time for lunch they dressed and returned to the town for a meal, then made their way back to Queenscliff and on to the pier, where a ferry was just ready to leave.
They went on board, and as the boat pulled out, another large ship came into sight.

"We are lucky today," said Mr. Dixon.
"Before now, I have been down here all day, and only seen small ships and tankers go through the heads."
"The big ones make a wonderful sight," said Johnny, once more taking out his camera.

" I've been talking to the skipper," said Mr. Dixon, as they approached the opposite shore.
"He says we can get out at Sorrento and have a swim in the surf, then take a bus to Portsea, and see that beach, and he will pick us up again there."

The afternoon went all too quickly for the boys, and after an uneventful return trip across the water, they got into the car again and drove back to Geelong for dinner.

" I could eat a horse," said Johnny, as they drew up in front of a big hotel.
"I don't think that will be on the menu," laughed his father, " but I am quite hungry myself.
The sea water and sea air gives one an appetite."
"I could do with a few weeks of this life," sighed Johnny, as they sped back to the city.
"Do we really have to go home on Sunday, Dad ? "

Embosed hard cover.

Dust Jacket

Stevens, Fae Hewston:
Koronglea Holidays.
Illustrated by Ian Nimmo Forrest
Ward Lock and Co., London, Melbourne, Cape Town,1963.

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Geoff Cater (2018) : Fae Stevens and Ian Forrest: Surf Riding at Lorne, 1963.
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