The Tathra Wharf Museum has received $2,720 for the conservation and preservation of the surf boat, acquired by museum president Allan Collins last year. 

Mr Collins said that the boat has great historic value, as Tathra was one of the first Surf Life Saving Clubs along the NSW coast, it is possible the boat is the first of its kind.

“I’m really proud that it is here, it has providence and history and it is back in the town it belongs,” Mr Collins said. 

Previously, the surf boat spent nearly 40 years hanging undercover on an outside wall of the Bega Pioneers Museum.

Unsatisfied with it’s storage conditions, Mr Collins applied to have it moved to Tathra so it could be within it’s historical context. 

It was a delicate process moving the fragile vessel back to the coastline. The boat is still propped up on foam panels to reduce risk of damage.

Once the boat reached it’s destination, National Maritime Museum curator David Payne spent two days studying it to report back to the museum. 

His work found the boat to be build between 1910 and 1920, confirming it as Tathra’s first surf boat.

At only four meters, Mr Payne reported it a very small surf boat, but signs that it was previously covered in a watertight canvas showed it was able to handle rough surf. 

Mr Payne’s report facilitated the grant application to preserve the boat. A custom made cradle and an interpretation board will soon be designed for the vessel.  

But Mr Collins said there would be no restoration work done to the boat. 

“In past times, we would have patched holes and tried to return it to it’s former glory, but we don’t do that anymore," he said. 

“The aim is to maintain it as it is now and keep it’s authenticity.”

The interpretation board will allow visitors of the galley can read about its history. 

“I do like talking about the boat, but this way I don’t have to stand next to it all day answering every question,” Mr Collins said.

It’s expected the completed display will be ready by November, and Mr Collins is already envisioning a champagne celebration for it’s official opening. 

The timing means it will be just in time for tourism season. It’s hoped the new addition will be an added draw card for visitors to the museum.