Ross Bailey – Mel Gibson’s stunt double in Phil Avalon’s Summer City – poses for promo pic at Tamarama, 1977
Mel Gibson made his big screen debut in Summer City, directed by Phil Avalon in 1977, which tells a story of surfing up the NSW coast in the 1960s. Newcastle surfer Ross Bailey stood in as Mel’s stunt/surfing double and even helped out with the storyline and action. Big thanks to Murray Walding’s Surforama for info and Ross Bailey for photo and ongoing support.
I know the guy that owns the car featured on this page. He still owns this car to this day and is in the same condition. He grew up in Maroubra and still lives in the area. The car featured before this page is a 37 Ford Sedan and is Australian made.
Julie Woods
27 Sep 11 at 8:18 am
Vale Ross Bailey died May 2021
Julie Fitzgerald
6 May 21 at 9:26 am
Thanks Julie. This is very sad news. I’m so sorry I just saw this, as I no longer work with Sydney Living Museums and don’t have access to this blog as often. Can you email me on crockett.gary@gmail.com with any details of Ross’s passing please? I’d be really keen to talk to you about it if that’s possible. Best wishes, Gary
garycrockett
21 Oct 21 at 2:18 am