Midget Farrelly Statue at Palm Beach

Bernard "Midget" Farrelly was the First Men's World Surfing Champion and the Midget Farrelly Recognition Committee has been formed to immortalise his legacy with a statue at his beloved home break, Palm Beach.

 

Supported by World Surfing Champions who came in Midget's wake, including Kelly Slater, Layne Beachley, Tom Carroll and Barton Lynch, the Recognition Committee is being led by Bruce Raymond,  Gordon Lang, Christine Hopton OAM and Nick Carroll. Midget's wife, Beverlie, is Patron of the committee.

 

While we've already attained council permission to proceed with the memorial design and have support from local Palm Beach residents, businesses and surf club, we need your financial help to make it a reality!

 

 

 

For donations from $A1,000 or above (with Deductible Gift Recipient Status), please complete this form  and we'll be in touch with transaction details.

For any donations from $A20 or above (no tax deductibility), you can donate now via this GoFundMe page.

 

It's hard to understate Midget's influence on Australian surfing, winning the first men's world surfing title at Manly Beach in 1964 when the sport was dominated by international competitors. He remained at the forefront of a number of water sports and surf related businesses throughout his life. To quote Hawaiian legend Joey Cabell, Midget was “A true waterman and legend” and to so many others he was an idol, mentor and friend.

 

Midget had lived in Palm Beach for 54 years and he surfed here almost every day. Most days he was seen on his bike on the beach front or on one of his many surfboards, surf ski or even sweeping a surf boat in the waves. He was involved with the Palm Beach, Whale Beach and Freshwater Surf Lifesaving clubs for over 20 years as an accomplished sweep and trainer of younger rowers. He started his first surfboard business in Palm Beach at the age of 18 and many Australian surfers would have ridden a board shaped from one of his company's high quality blanks since he started making them in 1968.

 

 

 

The esteem he was held in was demonstrated by the attendance of over 1,000 people at his Paddle Out Tribute in September 2016 where his wife and family scattered his ashes following his death at age 71.

 

We look forward to your contribution to ensure Midget's legacy lives on for generations to come!