Restored historic Bondi Pavilion reopens to public with inclusive celebration

After a two-year hiatus, the restored and historic Bondi Pavilion will open to the public with an all-ages community and arts and culture celebration on Wednesday 21st September.

The free event will reintroduce the community to the building, show off the new spaces, and showcase the wide range of world-class arts, culture and community experiences the Pavilion has to offer.

From 6pm, attendees will be able to explore the venue and experience:

• A concert in the main courtyard and other musical performances

• A preview of the Waverley Art Prize finalists in the Bondi Pavilion Gallery

• Local culture and stories to explore in the Bondi Story Room

• Live storytelling with Bondi Story Room identities in the Yalagang Room

• Indigenous shelling demonstration in the High Tide Room

• Screenings of historical reels of footage of Bondi from the National Film and Sound Archives

• Flickerfest short films showcase in the Theatre

• A pop-up exhibition featuring the journey of Bondi Pavilion’s transformation in the Ocean Room

• Food and drinks courtyard, beach-side and in the bar

• Kid’s entertainment including games and gelato

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said the opening night promises to be an evening of discovery and exploration as Waverley Council unveils its long-awaited heritage restoration.

Mayor Masselos notes “Waverley Council is so very proud to have retained the Pavilion as a community and cultural hub and cement its place as a leading arts and culture venue and gathering place for our residents and visitors.

"This is our beloved Bondi Pavilion, but not as you remember it. Keeping true to its original architecture, the restoration has been designed and built to last for decades to come.”

The celebration continues from 23rd to 25th September with many free and ticketed events for the whole family to enjoy.

The program of events continues throughout spring and includes top picks such as the Waverley Art Prize exhibition, Dharawal language workshops, Bowie Wong’s Couture in Motion exhibition, ATYP drama workshops, Behind the Curtain stagecraft and design for teens, family theatre magic with Urza and the Song in the Dark and The Legends of Surf ‘72 exhibition, just to name a few.

Visit bondipavilion.com.au for more details.