Bondi to Surf
BY KRISTEN TSIAMIS
Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach is set to become Australia’s newest National Surfing Reserve. In 2008 it was included on the National Heritage List.
The site of Australia’s first Surf Club, from 1906, Bondi has been an Australian icon.
John Sullivan, the Secretary of the Local Steering Committee for the Bondi National Surfing Reserve said the acknowledgement of the beach, as a cultural icon is pivotal to to preventing developers from ruining the area.
“It’s a symbolic reserve, as Sir Humphrey Appleby said. It’s the thin edge of the wedge. If anyone wants to do anything on the beach, they have a few more hoops they have to jump through. Really, I’m looking for more environmental protection of the beach itself.”
Brad Farmer, founder and patron of the National Surfing Reserve said that of “the 11,761 beaches in Australia, Bondi is the number one most recognisable beach in Australia. There are 25 iconic surfing sites in Australia that will be recognised as surfing reserves, Bondi will be number 20.”
“70 per cent of overseas tourists come to Australia for beaches, I think Bondi is emblematic of what an Australian beach is. Of those 70 per cent, 100 per cent do a beeline straight for Bondi. It is ground zero.”
Mr Farmer said that a big part of the reason Bondi was added to the list was that it is considered the “cultural capital of Australian popular surfing culture”, and the Prime Minister is set to attend the ceremony as the local member.
There were more than cultural reasons for Bondi being picked to be a reserve, there are a set of criteria that a beach must meet. Mr Farmer lists these criteria as being; “consistent quality waves, the quality of surf, a continuous connection with community, quality of amenities and the integrity of the natural environment.”
The acknowledgement will also come as recognition of the Gadigal people’s ownership of the land, where there has been a long association, with records of rock carvings and images according to Mr Sullivan. The name ‘Bondi’ is “derived from the Aboriginal word that describes the sound of waves breaking on rocks. Gadigal people are classed as saltwater people in the larger Aboriginal grouping,” he said.
Bondi will receive international recognition from the award, but Mr Farmer doesn’t think this will affect the numbers of people attending.
“It will receive international recognition – Bondi has the history and the most egalitarian beach, most multi-cultural beach in Australia, Bondi is a beach for everyone. Leads the country in terms of diversity. Centre of egalitarianism. Great variety of activities – lot more to Bondi than the Bondi Rescue, it’s a lot about what Australia is, which is why it’s become an icon.”
“We call these sorts of places sacred places, although people are concerned NSR’s will increase people visiting, it gives visitors sense of reverence about the place they are visiting. This is a sacred site in our history, something the Historic Register acknowledged.”
Waverley Council doesn’t think that becoming the newest Australian National Surfing Reserve will impact visiting levels to the area. A Council spokesperson said “Waverley Council is pleased at this recognition of Bondi Beach as a National Surfing Reserve. With Bondi Beach already internationally iconic and world famous, it is unlikely that this recent recognition would significantly affect visitor numbers.”
Official ceremony and presentation of the accolade will not happen until after the local council elections in September of next year.
