My Family
11:57
You might remember me posting in one of my weekend updates about a photo shoot my family and I did to celebrate the sponsored partnership of Surf Life Saving and DHL. Turns out the local newspaper picked the story up and here it is...
Clubbie colours are a real family affair for the Fife clan
The Fife family (left to right) Darcy Abbott ,Nathan Fife, Marcia Fife, Mark Fife, Karly Abbott, Renee Whitehead, Chantel Fife and John Fife Source: Supplied
WHEN Mark Fife's father Jack first joined Bondi Surf Life Saving Club in 1936 he never would have imagined the family tradition he was starting.
Now, 77 years on, three generations of the Fife family have grown up through the surf lifesaving movement and the next generation is only a few years away from joining Nippers.
The family is now based at the Broadbeach Surf Life Saving club and their dedication to surf lifesaving is being honoured at a free outdoor photography exhibition in Sydney this weekend.
Speaking of the honour, Jack's son Mark, who is now the National Director of Lifesaving, said he hoped his family's story would encourage other families to join up.
"Surf lifesaving is great for families because it is something you can do together, whether that be competing together, patrolling together or watching the children compete," he said.
"It is definitely getting more popular for families as well because there's no age barrier and as you get older it helps you keep fit."
Mark said he first joined as a 15-year-old before stopping five years later to start a family with his wife Marcia.
"I got married at 20 and dropped out for about five or six years while we started a family but it was something I had always loved so when we moved to the Coast I thought I'd get back into it in about 1987," he said.
"Then the kids decided they wanted to do Nippers and Marcia got into it as well."
"Then the kids decided they wanted to do Nippers and Marcia got into it as well."
As his children grew up and started to fall in love, Mark said it became clear even their future partners would need to be mad about surf lifesaving.
"My son Nathan did a lot with the surf boats and he met his wife Chantal outside of the sport but it's infectious and next minute she loved it as well," he said.
Nathan, 33, said his sisters Renee and Karly's husbands were also involved in surf lifesaving and expected the family's dedication to the movement to continue.
"Chantel and I have an 18-month-old daughter Hayley now who comes to the beach with us every weekend and absolutely loves it, and my brothers and sisters will be bringing their kids up through the movement as well," he said.
"The club's just provide such great family atmospheres and everyone knows each other so well."
Surf Life Saving Australia general manager communications and business development Melissa King said the Fife family were among 10 profiles being used in the photography exhibition.
"What we tried to do was give a broad cross-section of the surf lifesaving community and the Fife family showcase a fantastic story as to how families get involved in the movement," she said.
"They have been an integral part of the Queensland landscape and Mark and Marcia have always been heavily involved as have their children."
"They have been an integral part of the Queensland landscape and Mark and Marcia have always been heavily involved as have their children."
For more information on the exhibition visit www.dhlsaferbeaches.com.au.
I'm so proud of my amazing family and I'm also very proud to be a part of such a wonderful family that gives so much back to the Community.
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