Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW

Date1930s

Object number00029003

NameSouvenir

MediumColour photographic image mounted on metal.

DimensionsOverall: 90 x 100 x 45 mm, 0.1 kg

ClassificationsTableware and furnishings

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA laminated coloured postcard mounted or printed on a metal frame titled '3. Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW' at upper left corner.HistoryThe name Bondi, also spelt Bundi, Bundye and Boondye, comes from the Aboriginal 'Boondi'. According to some authorities, this means 'water tumbling over rocks', while the Australian Museum records it’s meaning as 'a place where a fight with nullas took place'. The first tramway to Bondi Beach was established in 1884, opening up the already popular beach to many more visitors across Sydney. By 1929 an estimated 60,000 people were arriving at the beach on a summer weekend day. In 2018 an estimated 209 million people visited Bondi. The appeal is of course Bondi's white sands and clear surf, but the social and cultural attractions have always played a part. In addition to being easily accessible by public transport, Bondi is a place to be seen swimming, dining or just walking along the promenade. Bondi's lifesavers, in addition to being the oldest surf lifesaving club, are now world famous and have contributed greatly to Australia's image overseas.SignificanceThe coast has always enticed Australians, but in the 1950s high employment and an increase in car ownership saw people taking to the road for beach holidays in larger numbers. Souvenirs from holiday towns around the country were in high demand.