Waverley Council hosts the Prime Minister of Australia at Bondi Pavilion

The Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, today officially commemorated Waverley Council’s heritage restoration of the historic Bondi Pavilion at a plaque unveiling and tour of the beachside venue hosted by the Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos.

The Prime Minister also met with Bondi Lifeguards during the official visit which included a tour of the Pavilion’s community and cultural spaces, the Council’s newly refurbished lifeguard tower and new first aid treatment facility.

^{Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulates Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos (in green) and general manager, Emily Scott, on the restoration. Picture: Katherine Griffiths.}

At the plaque unveiling, the Prime Minister of Australia congratulated the Council for its award-winning heritage restoration and lifeguard facility works.

"The restoration of Bondi Pavilion has brought back the sparkle to one of our most loved buildings," the Prime Minister said.

"Just as you can't imagine Sydney Harbour without the Opera House, you can't imagine Bondi Beach without the Pavilion.

"It's always a great pleasure to be here in a place that has been bringing people together for so long. Bondi is known and loved across the world, and so much of the world comes together here. Above all, Bondi has a very special place in Australian hearts.

"Bondi is a much-loved national treasure. One of the expressions of that love is that we never take it for granted. We have to protect it and nuture it, because even a treasure like Bondi needs a boost sometimes to be at its best.

"The refurbishment of the Lifeguard Tower and the Bondi Lifeguard Facility Upgrade will boost safety at Bondi Beach, where there's an average of 200 rescues a month. My government is proud to have supported this upgrade, which has delivered a purpose-built first aid and incident response facility, enhancing health and recreation at Bondi Beach.

"Together, we get things done. Together, we've made one of the world's greatest beaches even better. Congratulations to everyone involved. The result is spectacular."

^{Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrates the plaque unveiling with Waverley Council general manager, Emily Scott (far left) and Waverley's Councilors, including Mayor Paula Masselos (in green). Picture: Deborah Field.}

^{The Prime Minister celebrates the plaque unveiling with Mayor Masselos. Picture: Katherine Griffiths.}

Mayor of Waverley said from its humble beginnings as the Bondi Surf Sheds in 1911, the Pavilion serves as a mirror to the rich tapestry of our past and what can be achieved through design excellence and a tireless commitment to innovation and sustainability.

“Bondi Pavilion is the beating heart of culture and community in Waverley, and I thank the Prime Minister for being a part of its proud history,” Mayor Masselos said.

“This restoration was a labour of love for Council and it meant the world to our organisation and the community to retain the Pavilion as a community and cultural gathering place for future generations where the stories and memories embedded within these walls continue to inspire and resonate with generations to come.

^{The PM discusses the restoration with lead architect Peter Tonkin from Tonkin Zulaikha Greer architects. Picture: Deborah Field.}

“It’s also a place where new stories, ideas and experiences come to life in the Pavilion’s restored spaces including the Bondi Story Room, Bondi Pavilion Gallery and the Bondi Pavilion Theatre, which was originally opened in 1974 by the Prime Minister of the day, Gough Whitlam.”

Today’s visit was a deja-vu moment for the Prime Minister who in 1986 took to the stage at the Pavilion to deliver the President’s Report at the NSW Young Labour Conference. He also recalled memories of catching the 389 bus to North Bondi as a child to go swimming with his mum.

^{Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shares a laugh with Bruce Hopkins, Lifeguard Team Leader. Picture: Deborah Field.}

^{The visit attracted crowds at Bondi. Pictures: Deborah Field.}

^{The PM inspects the Council's new Lifeguard First Aid facility. Picture: Deborah Field.}

The restoration was designed by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer architects and delivered by Buildcorp. Key features include the Bondi Story Room interactive cultural space, new art gallery and restored theatre, replacement roofing, a larger Pottery Studio including a second kiln, new accessible amenities, a community radio station and restored inner courtyard.

It won the coveted Judge’s Choice Award at the 2023 National Trust Heritage Awards and an award for Public Architecture at the 2023 NSW Architecture Awards.

To discover what’s on at the Pavilion, visit bondipavilion.com.au.

Media inquiries: media@waverley.nsw.gov.au or 0416 075 532.