The Suosaari family were residents of the Bli Bli district...farming from 1916 on the land where now stands the Edgewater Retirement Village...
Joe Suosaari's daughter Anne Margoc is a prominent member of the Bli Bli on Maroochy Historical Society Inc. and has rendered wonderful support to the 2016...100 Year History project...including historical photos from the family collection.
In 1926 Joe Suosaari crossed the river and began farming on land near the islands north of the Bli Bli bridge, where he built a cottage for his family. As a single man however, his touring to attend swimming championships throughout Australia provides a wonderful glimpse into the history of swimming in those early times...1921 on. His personal history features in the digital history records of the QASA's 100 Year History files prepared by Dr Tim Barrett and digitalised by Barry Short.
Vic Suosaari's family also remain local residents in the district, and have also supplied material and understanding about the surf club life of this Life Member. Vic's record of achievements in his surf club life provide insight into the progress through those times...1922 St John's Ambulance Certificate and 1933 SLSA of A Board of Examiners Certificate.
In 1928 Axel Suosaari burst onto the National Swimming scene like his brother Joe had done years before. He was an impressive freestyler with great speed suited to being a sprinter, and he went on to win the Australian 100 yards Freestyle Championship in 19.. His, and his brother Joe's full swimming histories are outlined in the QASA...swimming club page.
Two more brothers were members of the club...Alex (Sandy), and Jack.
Jack's death in 1926 and Axel's in 1934, cut short these men's lives at early ages.
As explained in the RLSSQ...life saving club page, the swimming and life saving activity was closely inter-twined, and this family featured prominently in the successes of the club in these pre-1931 times.
