History

The URG dive club was formed in September 1953 and boasts a significant history, particularly in the area of underwater research. The club was growing steadily by 1958 and it was incorporated in 1959. Over the years, the URG has had many illustrious members. Neville Coleman the writer and photographer of Australian marine life was a very active member in the early days and contributed a regular “Conchological Corner” to the Bulletin. Steve Parish, the well known wildlife photographer was also a member as were Dr. Carl Edmonds, the renowned Underwater Medical Practitioner, and Les Graham, of Terrigal Diving School, who taught many members to dive.

Historically, the club has completed many research projects including:

Fish Identification surveys with UVNSW
Marine Debris surveys with UVNSW
Reef Life Survey training.
Caulerpa (invasive species) surveys.
Surveying Shiprock at Lilli Pilli with divers in the water around the clock for 10 hours monitoring temperature and soft corals.
Tagging and transplanting abalone.
Fixing a transmitter to a Port Jackson shark! It travelled 50 metres in a week!
Prospecting for gold in mountain streams on SCUBA.
Surveys of reef area surrounding Bare Island.
Surveys of Fish Rock in preparation for Marine Reserve submission.
Completed a year long bio-diversity study in Port Hacking.

The "Bulletin" is the name affectionately given to the club's monthly newsletter to members. It has been published regularly almost since the clubs inception back in the late 1950's and encapsulates its history.

URG History Example - the PUT

In 1969, the “Portable Underwater Tent”, or PUT as it became known, was placed in Shiprock. Securely anchored to the bottom, a metal frame containing a plastic sheet, into which compressed air was pumped from extra cylinders, made it possible for 2 to 3 divers to poke their heads up and have a conversation underwater!

The demise of the PUT was when full of air, the plastic gave way and the resulting air bubble raced for the surface at terrific speed, expanding rapidly as it went. Onlookers on the surface who witnessed this once in a lifetime sight spoke in terms of a depth charge going off, or a volcanic eruption!

URG History Example - the equipment

The Underwater Research Group of NSW has been running since 1953.Back then diving was very different! With no dive shops, and no commercial wetsuits, most equipment used was basic and often purpose built. Imagine a time with no computers, no BCD’s, hand made wetsuits, non-safety glass masks, no cameras, no gas mixes, limited services, limited boats, and a lack of medical assistance. Without cameras, researchers used hand-drawings to describe what they saw. Many members in the club can share stories of what diving was like back then.