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Heather Crossland hailed a heroine
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TypeNewspaper
Details“Berowra Heroine Rescues Two Girls while others look on”
This was the headline of an article in many Sydney newspapers on 23rd May 1928, following an extraordinary act of bravery. The article read as follows;
"Despite the fact that she had an injured knee and was only able to limp along with the aid of a stick, Heather Crossland (18) dived into Berowra Creek to save her younger sister and her girlfriend who were locked in a death grip 12 feet below the surface. This epic swim was performed in the presence of a small knot of people who gazed on the struggling figures and did not attempt to offer assistance.
Marjorie Crossland was bringing in a drowning girl who grabbed the throat of her rescuer and pulled her to the bottom of a twelve foot hole where the creek bed is strewn with treacherous snags and decaying logs.
Heather Crosland, who was lying in bed in her father’s boat shed, quickly hobbled to the creek bank and dived in. Her face told of the pain she was in, but she reached the bubbles that showed where the two girls had sunk, and dived.
In a few seconds she reappeared dragging with her both girls. She had swum ashore with the girls before a boat could be brought to their aid. Both girls responded to her respiratory efforts.
A couple of weeks ago Heather Crossland resuscitated a woman who had been brought out of the Creek after being immersed for a considerable time.
This brave girl, who attends East Sydney Technical College, is a champion swimmer and recommended for the Royal Humane Society’s medal for her actions."
Heather was the daughter of Thomas Crossland and the grand daughter of Burton Crosland who later added an additional "s" to his surname.
In 1860, Burton, a 16-year-old Yorkshireman, was the first settler in the area of Berowra Creek that would later carry his modified name.
Heather Crossland became Heather Schweikert when she married Peter Schweikert in 1929. They lived for many years in the district and became very active in a number of community groups. Heather died in 1981, at the age of 72.CreatorNathan TilburyKeywordsCrossland FamilyBurton CrosslandCrosslands
Details“Berowra Heroine Rescues Two Girls while others look on” This was the headline of an article in many Sydney newspapers on 23rd May 1928, following an extraordinary act of bravery. The article read as follows;
"Despite the fact that she had an injured knee and was only able to limp along with the aid of a stick, Heather Crossland (18) dived into Berowra Creek to save her younger sister and her girlfriend who were locked in a death grip 12 feet below the surface. This epic swim was performed in the presence of a small knot of people who gazed on the struggling figures and did not attempt to offer assistance.
Marjorie Crossland was bringing in a drowning girl who grabbed the throat of her rescuer and pulled her to the bottom of a twelve foot hole where the creek bed is strewn with treacherous snags and decaying logs.
Heather Crosland, who was lying in bed in her father’s boat shed, quickly hobbled to the creek bank and dived in. Her face told of the pain she was in, but she reached the bubbles that showed where the two girls had sunk, and dived.
In a few seconds she reappeared dragging with her both girls. She had swum ashore with the girls before a boat could be brought to their aid. Both girls responded to her respiratory efforts.
A couple of weeks ago Heather Crossland resuscitated a woman who had been brought out of the Creek after being immersed for a considerable time.
This brave girl, who attends East Sydney Technical College, is a champion swimmer and recommended for the Royal Humane Society’s medal for her actions."
Heather was the daughter of Thomas Crossland and the grand daughter of Burton Crosland who later added an additional "s" to his surname.
In 1860, Burton, a 16-year-old Yorkshireman, was the first settler in the area of Berowra Creek that would later carry his modified name.
Heather Crossland became Heather Schweikert when she married Peter Schweikert in 1929. They lived for many years in the district and became very active in a number of community groups. Heather died in 1981, at the age of 72.
CreatorNathan TilburyKeywordsCrossland FamilyBurton CrosslandCrosslandsClick on the image to add
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Nathan Tilbury, Heather Crossland hailed a heroine (1928). Hornsby Shire, accessed 19/10/2026, https://hornsbyshire.recollect.net.au/nodes/view/6404