Hundreds of lifesavers and nippers attend unveiling of Blue Plaque on Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club

Hundreds of past and present lifesavers and young nippers today joined NSW Minister for Heritage Penny Sharpe and Mayor of Waverley Council Paula Masselos for the official unveiling of a Blue Plaque on the pillar of the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club building, which was built in 1934.

The Blue Plaque recognises the contribution of the world's oldest surf lifesaving club to the rich history of New South Wales.

The Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club is one of 14 new Blue Plaque recipients announced by the NSW Government. Blue Plaques keep heritage alive by honouring and celebrating significant people, places and events in New South Wales.

The Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club existed informally for several years in the early 1900s, before a group of locals gathered at the Royal Hotel in Bondi one evening in February 1907 to discuss forming an official surf lifesaving organisation.

Within weeks the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club was born, with the central aim of rescuing distressed 'sea bathers'. Members performed 34 rescues in their first year of operation, inspiring the creation of many similar surf lifesaving clubs at beaches across Australia.

Minister Sharpe shared "The Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club is testament to the skill, dedication and service of many men, women and teenagers who keep swimmers safe at our beaches.

"The club's founding members created a movement that contributed to the state's rich history, and continues to be at the core of our coastal identity today.

"This Blue Plaque provides a tangible link to those who've kept our community safe in the water for 117 years, and for that we will always remember and respect their service."

Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club President Brent Jackson added "The club is honoured to have this Blue Plaque displayed on the pillar of our clubhouse, recognising the birthplace of surf lifesaving.

"While this volunteer movement started with just one small group of concerned beachgoers in Bondi, it has grown to over 300 clubs in Australia, and inspired similar organisations all around the world."

A statement released by the NSW Government notes the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club “remains in operation to this day, with volunteer lifesavers patrolling the golden sands and rescuing more than 12,000 swimmers and surfers every year.

“Beyond the sand, the bathers and the rescue reel, the club's foundation established a long-standing tradition of service to others.

“The spirit of the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club was on display one scorching hot day in 1938, when thousands of people flocked to Bondi Beach to cool off. Large waves crashed into the shore, wiping away the sandbank and washing hundreds of people into deeper water.

“Club records say 180 people were rescued by volunteers in a chaotic 20 minutes. Dozens of people were resuscitated on the sand but sadly five people could not be saved, on what became known as Bondi's Black Sunday.

“Instead of recognising individual volunteers for their efforts, the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia recommended the entire club for a special meritorious award.”

14 new Blue Plaque recipients were announced in November 2023 - chosen to highlight significant people and events which have contributed to the rich history of NSW.

They share the stories of notable Australians including world-renowned artist Sir William Dobell and co-founder of the Country Women’s Association Grace Emily Munro.

They also recognise Kathleen Butler who despite having no formal qualifications, was instrumental in the development of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Greek brothers who established a thriving cinema complex in Grafton in 1951, which is one of only 13 original condition ‘picture theatres’ in NSW country towns that is still running.

The new plaques have been chosen from 117 nominations made by the public and assessed by independent historians. They join more than 30 plaques already in place, sparking the imaginations of visitors from Broken Hill to Bathurst, and in suburbs across Sydney.

Information about Blue Plaque recipients is available here  

Images from top:lifesavers and young nippers at unveiling of Blue Plaque; Penny Sharpe unveils Bondi Blue Plaque; Opening of Bondi Surf Bathers Life Saving Clubhouse; Foundation members in front of original clubhouse. Via Sharpe Media/ NSW Government