It was the only venue on the North Coast of NSW invited to host the display.

“It’s a real honour for the Museum to be chosen for this exhibition and shows how the staff and volunteers have forged very constructive links with key institutions in the short time since it was reopened,” said Stephen Sawtell, Council’s General Manager.

“It also indicates how its reputation is growing as a quality, regional venue for this kind of national display.”

The history of surf lifesaving in Australia and the joys and dangers of the beach are explored in ‘Between the Flags: 100 Years of Surf Lifesaving’.

The interactive exhibition, which is on show at the Museum from August 25-October 18 2008, traces the proud history of the surf lifesaving movement.

It looks at the golden age of lifesaving, when the lifesaver joined the bushman and the digger as national icons. It traces changing technologies, the push to admit women to the ranks, the emergence of surf sport competitions, and the lifesaver’s cultural icon status at events including the Sydney Olympic ceremonies.

The exhibition, developed with Surf Life Saving Australia, has a number of interactive exhibits and includes surf caps from across the nation, rescue gear, medallions and a surfboard with a shark bite taken out of it.

The exhibition includes personal stories from surf lifesavers, historic beach footage and fun activities for children.

The Museum is open from 10am-4pm, every Tuesday-Saturday.