Farewelling Norm, Coogee’s 92-year-old icon

In 1927, when he was two years old, Norm “Nobby” Taylor would walk down to Coogee beach for a swim with his father.

It is ritual he has continued to this day and the 92 year-old war veteran is now a Coogee icon.

”I joined the surf club in 1940. when I was 16. It’s a long time. You get a lot of good mates in the surf club. And you meet a lot of girls,” he smiled.

“We used to run a dance every Friday night and all the good sorts came down.”

“All the girls married guys from the surf club, including myself. I lost my wife Eunice about eight years ago. She was a lovely girl.”

“We had a wonderful life. She came from Nambucca Heads which is a great place but I wasn’t going to leave Coogee,” he smiled.

“We married in 1952. I was 28 and she was 25.”

Norm was elected Captain of the Coogee Surf Club upon his return from the war and today is the oldest serving member and the only remaining member of the 184 who joined the armed services in World War II.

He recalled Coogee Beach being barricaded with barbed wire and tank traps during the war in preparation for a Japanese invasion.

Norm also played a significant role in setting up the Coogee Penguins Winter Swimming Club, the Coogee Minnows (nippers) and he served on the board of Randwick Rugby in the 60s, establishing and coaching a local junior competition.

Now, after 92 years in Coogee, Norm has reluctantly decided to leave the town he calls home, putting his two-bedroom apartment of 49 years on the market, with it going to auction 22 March.

“It’s not easy to pack up and leave Coogee, I have lived in this building since it was built in 1968,” Norm said.

“But all my mates are gone now so I’m looking forward to living with my son in Coffs Harbour, with his family near some great beaches and bowling greens.”

Norm is selling his property with Belinda Clemesha from Ray White Bondi Junction/Coogee who said similar properties in the area are selling for $900,000 to $1 million.

“This one is a very tightly held block. It‘s the first time it’s being traded since Norm bought it new in 1968.”

The 88 square metre, north facing two-bedroom, one-bathroom property is in original but good condition, and features a balcony and 22 square metre lock up garage, according to Ms Clemesha.

“Bream street is one Coogee’s more popular streets and about 8 mins walk to the beach,” she added.