Local surfing legend Bernard “Midget” Farrelly, dubbed the ‘Godfather’ of Australian surfing, will be forever honoured and remembered with a rock carving at Palm Beach.

Following public consultation, Council has endorsed a proposal by the Midget Farrelly Recognition Committee to install a public artwork on Black Rock, Ocean Road Palm Beach.

Midget lived at Palm Beach for 54 years and surfed there almost every day on one of his many short and malibu surfboards. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 71, after a battle with cancer. 

He became the first Australian to win a major international surfing title at the 1962 Makaha International Surfing Championships. Two years later, he won the inaugural World Surfing Championships at Manly Beach. In 1985, he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, recognising his contribution to surfing.

He started his first surfboard business in Palm Beach at the age of 18 after working for renowned Barry Bennett surfboards in Brookvale from the age of 15. He was considered a major player in the shortboard revolution.

Midget gave back to the local community through the Palm Beach and Whale Beach Surf Lifesaving Clubs, where he was a member and mentor for over 20 years. 

Council received 101 responses during community consultation over the proposed artwork. Community feedback indicated a high level of support for the commemoration of Midget Farrelly in Palm Beach. 

The Recognition Committee recommended a petroglyph carving, which is created by incising, picking, carving or abrading part of the rock surface.

The tribute will be installed in early 2024, weather permitting.