AMAZING HISTORY - The Darwin Rocksitters Club - AUSTRALIA at it's Best! (You have to read this - to the end!!!)

Every place I've been to is always has it's own unique individuals and characters that stand it apart from everywhere else.

Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia is no exception. In fact, I would go as far as to say it is at the absolute extreme when it comes to "different", "unusual", "unique" and "out there" types of people in general.
The funny thing is, that to all of us, it's just part of our every day life and doesn't seem out of place at all!

Let me introduce you to the Darwin Rocksitters Club ............... (probably not normal by other peoples standards?)

Let's start with a quick rundown on how it all started - straight from their own documented history!

What is Rocksitting?
"Rocksitting evolved from the great Darwin tradition of sitting down and having a few beers with ya mates.
Back in 1974 a group of journalists gathered at East Point Reserve on a Saturday afternoon to sink a few tinnies (cans of beer), spin a few yarns (tell a story) and watch the brilliant Sun set over the Arafura Sea.
Needless to say this became a regular event and the Rocksitters club began.
Religously Rocksitters gathered every Saturday at East Point Reserve and continued to consume copious amounts of amber fluid, they came from far and wide once hearing of this guzzling group and eagerly joined the ranks to share their tales and views.
What made Rocksitting so unique was that due to Darwins 7 metre tides the “Rock” would be a metre underwater at high tide, this ensured that only the hardiest of drinkers would earn the right to become a Rocksitter!"

Of course, once you have an established club, you need Rules....

Official Rules for a Rock-sit-a-thon
Formerly ratified at a general meeting of the parent Darwin Rocksitters’ Club in Darwin on October 18,1977.

1. There shall be no funny business on The Rock.
2. For the purposes of an official Sit-a-thon, a Rock shall be any mass of stone no more than 30 square metres which shall be surrounded by the sea on at least one occasion each day.
3. No funny business.
4. A team for the purposes of a Rock-Sit-a-thon shall consist of at least six people, at least one third of whom shall be female.
5. No funny business.
6. Each entrant shall maintain continuous personal contact with The Rock at all times during the Sit-a-thon, apart from three periods of no more than five minutes each day for swimming or any other exercise not carried out on dry land (e.g. running on the beach permitted). The integrity of the Rock-sitters is required for exceptions to this rule. For instance, entrants in the inaugural Sit-a-thon were exempted when on dry land while selling T-shorts for charity, going to the loo (not too far!) and chasing off antagonists (the buggers!).
7. No funny business.
8. Each male entrant shall consume 16 cans of any full-strength Carlton and United Brewery beer each 24 hours, and each female entrant shall consume nine cans of said beer every 24 hours. This may be achieved on average every 24 hours between contestants of the same sex.
9. Contestants shall not have the benefit of unnecessary comforts such as cushions, air beds, mattresses etc. Each contestant may have one sleeping bag and one blanket, or three blankets and no sleeping bag.
10. Contestants must eat.
11. Guests are encouraged on The Rock, in fact the more the merrier.
12. No funny business.
13. A team shall forfeit as soon as one entrant leaves The Rock apart from approved free periods, or for breaches of any of the above rules.
14. Rules 1, 3, 5, 7, 12 may be abolished at the discretion of entrants any time after the Sit-a-thon begins.
15. Entrants must enjoy themselves.

Now before I get into the history of the club, here are some photo's I took recently that show the home of the Darwin Rocksitters club.

The original old Rock, which was adjacent to this one was destroyed by lighting so this became the new home.

What great view - all my photos are taken at low tide.

Another great view to the West - during a "sit" the flag will be hoisted.

New age rules - a marked path to the Rock.

Evidence that our modern day society is definitely going soft!

The official plaque - I reckon we should have a Public Holiday to honour their achievements.

Back in 1974, Crocodile hunting had just been stopped so there were not too many around - nowadays, after 45 years of breeding unchecked, the buggers are everywhere!

Here's a photo from my bar of a couple of beers back from the 80's that would have been consumed on the Rock. (still full)

Anyway, now we should get back to looking at some history of the Darwin Rocksitters Club.

What are some of their achievements?

Milestones

• May 1974 where it all started
• October 1977 the first challenge to the world is thrown down with a 5 day marathon sit
• November 1977 Parua Bay Sitters answer the challenge with a new 6 day world record sit
• October 1978 Darwin smashes the world rocksit record with an 8 day sit
• August 1980 Rocksitters hold their first sit on a Qantas Jumbo Jet for the inaugural flight of Sydney to LA
• Darwin’s intrepid Rocksitters claim Ayers Rock as they search for bigger rocks to conquer.
• September 1980 Portland Victoria Sitters build their own rock and make double digit rocksitting history with an amazing 10 day sit.
• October1980 Legal challenges to rocksitters over 2 km drinking laws threaten the 12day attempt.
• Rock Band Cold Chisel helps promote the rocksitters during rocktober
• October 1980 Darwin sitters do the the impossible and set the current world record sit of 12days.
• May 1984 10 year anniversary is celebrated
• May 1986 Rocksitters are devestated as lighting destroys the sacred rock.
• Rocksitters pole destroyed by vandals
• 1994 20th anniversary Formal dinners
• May 1999 25th anniversary/qtr century
• August 2001 Flagpole removed due corrosion
• November 2001 Foundation Stone supplied by DCC
• December 8 2001 Flagpole replaced courtesy of DCC
• December 15 2001 official plaque unveiling by Patron Saint Dawn Lawrie and flag raising
• 30th anniversary 1974-2004
• 40th anniversary 1974 -2014

Here are some Historical Photos:

Source: Image: Baz Ledwidge, The Darwin Rocksitters Club, 1977, photographic print
Courtesy the artist and the Northern Centre for Contemporary Art

If you found this post interesting, please got to the official "Darwin Rocksitters Club" website and check out the other really interesting facts.
http://www.rocksitters.com.au/

Many of them were also involved in the official "Darwin Ice Hockey Club" - check out my previous post on them here:

https://steemit.com/sports/@plumey/the-darwin-ice-hockey-team-never-beaten-this-is-a-must-read-story-and-it-involves-vegemite