Aileen “Mac” Kennedy BEM

Lifesaver, Community Leader, Sports Administrator

Aileen ‘Mac’ Kennedy BEM played a decisive role in re‑establishing and sustaining the South Melbourne Life Saving Club for more than 35 years.Mac can be seen to have left a tangible legacy for the community through reforming the South Melbourne Life Saving Club and serving as secretary for 36 years. Without her contribution, the club may well not exist to provide the valuable service to the City of Port Phillip and the wider beach going community.

Already well known in the community, Albert Park resident Aileen Kennedy (affectionately known as ‘Mac’) was approached by the South Melbourne Council to reform the South Melbourne Life Saving Club following the tragic drowning of two children on the foreshore in 1944. She, together with her husband Abe and several other local community members, met and agreed to reactivate the club that had declined over time since the Depression and the impact of World War Two. Mac was elected to the position of secretary in 1944, a position which she held until her death in 1980. She was made a life member of the South Melbourne Life Saving Club in 1957.

Mac was recognised on multiple occasions by the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) through its Commonwealth and UK headquarters:

• Recognition Badge – 1956

• Life Member, RLSS (Victoria Branch) – 1961/62

• Certificate of Merit – 1973

• Service Cross – 1968, with Bar – 1978

She was also on the inaugural committee of the South Melbourne Community Chest, formed the South Port Women’s Amateur Athletic Association. She also formed the Melbourne Suburban Beaches Association which provided support to smaller lifesaving clubs. It was due to Mac’s campaigning that a second story to the club was erected in 1962.

Mac was not only prominent in lifesaving but also in athletic associations, and was the first female to hold the position of starter in the Commonwealth Games in Perth in 1962. Such positions were only previously held by men. Mac had over 45 years of service to the Victorian Women’s Amateur Athletic Association including holding positions of President, Vice President and Social Secretary, the latter raising thousands of dollars to assist the sport.

 She received the British Empire Medal (BEM) in 1972 for meritorious service to lifesaving, athletics and the community.

Acknowledgement

This Biography was provided by Port Phillip Council, Her Story Map Project. The women and places of HerStory – City of Port Phillip

If you are a relative or friend of Aileen Kennedy and would like to further contribute to Norma’s story please contact us  herplace@herplacemuseum.com

Image: Photo credit: Unknown, included courtesy of Port Phillip Council with permission of South Melbourne Life Saving Club

Commemoration 

The South Melbourne Life Saving Club (SMLSC) officially opened its new home ‘The Aileen Kennedy Pavilion’ on 2 November 2019. The pavilion stands on the same foreshore location where Aileen Kennedy carried out decades of lifesaving administration and training.

Primary Source: Ordinary Meeting of Council, 16 October 2019, Naming of South Melbourne Life Saving Club.