Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club receives coveted Blue Plaque

The Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, joined the Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe MLC today for the official unveiling of a coveted Blue Plaque at Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club.

The Blue Plaques program is a state-wide initiative that celebrates and shares the stories of people and events that have shaped NSW. Those recognised to date include activists, authors, artists, architects, pioneers and philanthropists.

^{Hundreds of Bondi Surf Club volunteers turned out for the Blue Plaque unveiling. Picture: Waverley Council.}

Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe MLC said the Blue Plaque at Bondi Surf Club will serve as a permanent reminder of the legacy of surf lifesaving in our state.

“Just as we are standing next to it today, future generations will stand by this plaque and know that they are part of something bigger, part of NSW’s rich history,” Minister Sharpe said.

“This blue plaque doesn't just mark history; it salutes the pioneers of the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club who made beach recreation safer for everyone.”

^{Mayor Masselos and Minister Sharpe unveil the new Blue Plaque. Picture NSW Government/Heritage NSW.}

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said Bondi Surf Club has played a major role in the history of Waverley both on and off the beach, including supporting bushfire affected communities and those experiencing social isolation and hardship at Christmas.

“We congratulate Bondi Surf Club for receiving a coveted Blue Plaque in recognition of its historical significance to Waverley and the lifesaving movement,” Mayor Masselos said.

In February 1907, the Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Club became Australia’s first recorded surf lifesaving club and is officially recognised by Surf Life Saving Australia as the oldest lifesaving club in world.

The Clubhouse was designed by architects Ross + Rowe— renowned for the celebrated Commonwealth Bank building in Martin Place —and is part of the NSW State Heritage Listed 'Bondi Beach Cultural Landscape'. The listing also includes Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Park and Bondi Beach itself.

Waverley Council and Bondi Surf Club are embarking on a historic heritage upgrade of the surf club building, guided by a detailed Conservation Management Plan formally approved by The Heritage Council of NSW in October 2022.

“This upgrade will provide significantly improved amenities to cater to the needs of modern surf lifesaving and the community and help foster the next generation of surf life savers.” Mayor Masselos said.

Bondi Surf Club was one of fourteen Blue Plaque recipients announced during the latest round of the program. The new plaques were chosen from 117 nominations made by the public and assessed by independent historians.

Thirty-five plaques have been announced since the program began in 2021 and are in publicly accessible places throughout NSW to encourage people to explore our state’s heritage.

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