Australia Surf Club, 1930, by Gert Sellheim

This 1930 poster by Gert Sellheim highlights Australia’s surf lifesaving culture, which was gaining prominence in the early 20th century. The design uses bold geometric forms and vivid colours to depict a line of lifeguards standing in unison against a bright yellow background, symbolising teamwork and readiness. Below, a swimmer is shown braving the waves, illustrating the lifesaving action central to the role of surf clubs. The dynamic composition captures the spirit of coastal Australia during a period when beach culture was becoming a defining element of the nation’s identity.

Sellheim (1901–1970), a German-born designer who immigrated to Australia in 1926, became one of the country’s leading modernist poster artists. His work often reflected the vibrant, outdoor lifestyle of Australia, combining simplicity with bold, striking imagery. This poster was commissioned as part of a broader campaign to promote Australian tourism and the emerging surf lifesaving movement. Surf lifesaving clubs, established in the early 1900s, became essential for public safety as swimming in the surf gained popularity.