A MONUMENT recognising Frederick Floyd’s brave act 71 years ago is finally being unveiled at Trigg Beach.
He died in 1947 while trying to save nun Sister Mary Chrysostom who got into trouble while swimming in an area known as the ‘Nun’s Pool’.
His sons Don and Brian Floyd, and Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club member Mike Deephouse have been campaigning to have the memorial erected for the past several years.
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READ NOWA plaque was originally placed at popular swimming spot the Blue Hole but it was stolen in 1959 and had been inside the lifesaving clubhouse after it was later recovered.
Don Floyd, who helped drag his father’s body from the surf, was pleased the plaque would now overlook the Nun’s Pool at the northern end of Clarko Reserve.
“I’m very happy that it’s happening, it’s now in the correct place,” he said.
“It’s a climax. I didn’t think it would ever happen.”
Mr Floyd said it offered somewhere people could sit and “contemplate” and would serve as a reminder.
“It will remind people of what happened,” he said.
“It’s a warning that something like that can happen at any time.”
Though he now feels able to visit Trigg after many years of avoiding it, Mr Floyd is still affected by the tragedy.
“It never leaves me,” he said.
Mr Deephouse said it was a fantastic outcome for the Floyd family.
“My aim was to get the monument back where it should be and so people can actually see what happened on the beach,” he said.
“It’s been a bit of a hard road and I’m so glad we’ve got there.
“I’m so thrilled to see that the sons are still alive to see it.”
The amateur historian believed it was important for the plaque to be on public display.
“I wanted recognition of Frederick Floyd and the history of Trigg to be recognised,” he said.
“We tend to not record history too well and there’s so much history in our area.”
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