Joe Irwin Obituary, Death- One of the true pioneers of the Sunshine Coast “Beach Inspectors” organization just passed away unexpectedly in Noosa, and it is with great regret that I inform you of this news. In 1975, Joe began his career as a professional lifeguard and beach inspector at Kings Beach in Caloundra, and he worked there until 1983, when he retired. Joe was an incredible character.
After some deliberation, he chose to forego the opportunity to serve as a lifeguard at Mooloolaba Beach and instead pursue a career as a plumber in Brisbane. He had joined the first class of lifeguards to be hired by the Maroochy Shire in 1967 and was offered a position at that beach. The desire to earn a living at the beach led him to eventually relocate to Caloundra, where he began working his dream job. Joe spent the majority of his tenure at Kings Beach working alone on the beach.
He did, however, receive some supplementary casual help later in his career, most of which was concentrated around the time of the Christmas holidays. Joe….like other early Beach Inspectors of the day performed his work using very basic equipment characteristic of the age. Those who knew him all felt that he ran a no-nonsense “tight ship,” and those who didn’t knew him all thought that he was a straightforward individual. In 1975, the Metropolitan Caloundra “Mets” Surf Lifesaving Club bestowed upon Joe the honor of Life Membership in the club.
In addition to this, he was a pioneer in the sport of surfing and an initial member of the Moffateers, which later became the Wind and Sea Surf Club at Moffat Beach. The love of the water that Joe Irwin had for the ocean was passed down to his son, Clint Irwin, who went on to have a long and renowned career as a lifeguard and surf lifesaver. From everyone in the Australian Lifeguard community, our deepest condolences go out to Clint and the rest of the Irwin family.