Andre Majerszky was born in Russia and came to Australia in 1914.1 By 1927 he was living in the Manning Valley.2
A keen sportsman, swimming was his great love and he became well known locally for his feats of long distance swimming.3
In April 1928, while working as a photographer at the Manning Studios in Taree, an unusual opportunity presented itself.
The ‘Iron Chief’ ran aground near Crowdy Head. A reporter from the Sydney Morning Herald travelled to the Manning hoping to obtain an interview with the crew. Majerszky, wishing to photograph the steamer, took the newsman to the site. When the reporter expressed dismay at the impossibility of obtaining his hoped for story as the ship was so far off shore, Majerszky demonstrated his prowess by diving into the sea with the aim of swimming to the ship to obtain comment. Nearing his destination, he was carried off course by the force of the swell and the crew, thinking he was in danger, lowered a small boat to effect a rescue. The boat was swamped and one crewman became endangered. The redoubtable Majerszky then assisted the seaman to shore and obtained for the reporter a story which did feature in the Herald.4
Majerszky left Taree in 1929,5 and died in Kiama in 1977.6
Author: Penny Teerman
References:
1 National Archives of Australia Series No.C413 barcode 7945821
2 Manning River Times Wednesday 23 March 1927 Pg 2
3 Maitland Daily Mercury Saturday 26 March 1927 Pg 9
4 Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 7 April 1928 Pg 11
5 Northern Champion Saturday 27 April 1929 Pg 4
6 NSW BDM 201126/1977
7 Northern Champion Saturday 30 March 1929 Pg 5
