Bondi Beach Media

Australia Day 2012 At Bondi Beach, Sydney - Havaianas Thong Challenge - 26th January 2012

2012-01-27T14:08:00.001+11:00

Profiles

Bondi Beach Sydney Australia

About 120,000 Australians enjoyed much of their Australia Day at Bondi Beach today, with over 1000 purchasing giant Havaianas thongs.

The overcast conditions prevented the participants from breaking last years world record of 2068 giant inflatable Havaianas in a line but there was no shortage of enthusiam.

North Bondi foundation nipper Paul Mangioni and current nipper Duke Wieland didn't let the wet weather and muggy conditions stop them from having a go.

Bondi Beach, Bronte, and Tamarama beaches and parks were all alcohol-free zones, in a preventive measure to stop any trouble before it started - thong bearer or not.

This years Havaianas Thong Challenge was a little different - From the beach to the backyard was the pitch.

The thong challenge organisers are keen to see your photos from the beach with their thong and photos can be submitted via their Havaianas Australia Facebook.

2012 Beach activities included:

Havaianas Paddle Challenge (Paddling Race)
Havaianas Dash For Thongs (Beach Flags)
Giant Havaianas Relay (Running Race)

Most folks were happy just to enjoy a swim and have a bit of a sun bake, which the organisers were their to make a dollar and garner publicity.

Having a go is the Aussie way, so well done to everyone for spending some time at beautiful Bondi Beach today.

Websites

Havaianas Thong Challenge: Australia Day 2012

Waverley Council

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Media Man News

Music News Australia

Bondi Beach Directory

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man News

Media Man Entertainment

Australian Sports Entertainment

Bondi Beach Directory

2012 Flickerfest Winners Accounced Plus...Flickerfest Hits The Road

2012-01-24T15:07:00.001+11:00

Profiles

Movies TV Bondi Beach

FLICKERFEST NEWS: WINNERS ANNOUNCED; HITS THE ROAD, BYRON BAY ALL SHORTS

WINNERS OF THE 21st ANNUAL FLICKERFEST

After a highly successful 10 day festival in Sydney with capacity crowds and fabulous parties in the Pavilion bar, Flickerfest Australia’s leading short film festival, announced its International and Australian awards at a star-studded ceremony at the Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach.

Across the 10 days Flickerfest audiences were treated to a selection of award winning short films from Australia & across the world, selected from 2200 entries with audiences experiencing various cultures and a range of Australian stories all united by their creativity, innovation & excellence in the short film form.

Attended by celebrated guests from the Australian and the International film industry, the Closing Night ceremony honoured those entrants with award-winning films within the Academy®Accredited competition.

And the winners are:

Movie Network Channels Award for Best Australian Short Film ‘The Palace’ wr/dir Anthony Maras, prods Kate Croser, Anthony Maras, Andros Achilleos

Icebergs Dining Room & Bar Award for Best Direction in an Australian Short Film ‘Bear’ dir Nash Edgerton, prod Lauren Edwards & John Polson

The SMH Award for Best Australian Screenplay ‘Cockatoo’ wr/dir Matthew Jenkin, prods Matthew Jenkin & Oliver Leimbach

Yoram Gross Award for Best Animation ‘It’s Such A Beautiful Day’ wr/dir Don Hertzfeldt(USA)* Academy ®Accredited

ING DIRECT Award for Best Short Film ‘Ebony Society’ wr/dir Tammy Davis, prods Ainsley Gardiner & Chelsea Winstanley(New Zealand) *Academy® Accredited

...

Flickerfest International Short Film Festival kicked off it's 37 venue national tour in Byron this past weekend.

Celebrated it's 21st birthday in style, & it's 14th year in the Byron region being hosted by the IQ Arts & Eco Centre; with over 1100 people attending over 4 sessions.

A highlight of the shorts packed weekend was the 4th Annual Byron All Shorts - Northern Rivers Short Film Competition, of which 14 finalists films were screened from over 50 local entrants;

The audience as well as the jury, consisting of Emma Moroney, former Supervising Producer from
Movie Network Channel. Bronwyn Kidd, documentary maker and Flickerfest Director, Kathleen
Drumm who helms Screen Australia’s diverse marketing activities across theatrical and innovative distribution. Nerida Moore Screen NSW’s Senior Development and Production Executive and Lisa
Shaunessy independent producer, formerly the Creative Executive at Hugh Jackman’s Seed Productions awarded the following:

The iQ-Flickerfest Jury Award for Best Short Film went to SAE students for 'The Cottage', a moving story about the homeless in Byron Bay, Dir Lorraine Bell / Prod: Rani Willis.

A Special Mention of the Jury went to 'Face Value' by Ellie Alford from SCU- an innovative story about the dangers of internet predators.

The Essential Energy Audience Award went to 'Shall We Dance' the Tommy Franklin story (Byron's own dancing man) by Kurt Mayes & travis Hanley.

A new prize this year, the SAE Emerging Talent Award went to 'Zombie Taco'
a very creative music video clip by the Kamikazi Katz clan, Max Quinn, Callan Brunsdon & Scott Sowter.

...

The National Tour Continues...

Don’t miss bite Size chunks of great cinema coming to a town near you!
Next stop on the 37 venue tour is Adelaide and Avoca on Feb 3 & 4.
Showcasing the Best in Australian, International and Avoca will also showcase the best in Comedy shorts.

AVOCA- 3/4 Feb
Friday 3rd @ 7pm- Best Of Australian Shorts
Saturday 4th @ 7pm- Best Of International Shorts
Saturday 4th @ 9pm- Best of Comedy

ADELAIDE- 3/4 Feb
Friday 3rd @ 7pm- Best Of International
Saturday 4th @ 7pm- Best Of Australian

The tour continues until May so make sure you check out the touring tab at www.flickerfest.com.au for details in your state!

SBS SCREENED FLiCKERFEST SPECIAL

Highlighted films will include:

Franswa Sharl
Directed by Hannah Hillard / Winner, Audience Choice (Most Popular) Short Film, Flickerfest 2010.

Via Gori
Directed by Lazaro Hernandez / Winner, Best Direction in an Australian Short Film, Flickerfest 2011.

The Cat Piano
Directed by Ari Gibson and Eddie White / Winner, Best Animation Short Film, Flickerfest 2010.

Netherland Dwarf
Directed by David Michôd / Best Australian Short Film, Flickerfest 2009.

*contact SBS TV for screening times or additional information

Websites

Flickerfest

SBS

Media Man News

Music News Australia

Bondi Beach Directory

Website Network

Media Man Int

Media Man

Media Man Entertainment

Bondi Beach Directory Website Updated

2011-12-28T14:20:00.002+11:00

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Bondi Beach Directory

Shore Thing 2011

2011-12-27T13:07:00.001+11:00

Since 2005, Shore Thing has been Sydney’s favourite New Year’s Eve party, taking over the most famous stretch of sand in the world, Bondi Beach, with the biggest names in music. From Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada, Basement Jaxx, Armand Van Helden to David Guetta last year, it’s an event making sure New Year’s Eve keeps its reputation as the ‘Party of the Year’.

But this year’s line-up ensures it will be remembered as the ‘Party of the Decade’, with the one and only ‘Doggfather of Rap’ – Snoop Dogg guaranteeing we end 2011 on a high note. Calvin Harris, arguably the world’s biggest DJ kickstarting 2012 in total party style, the always epic Pendulum live and a heap of fireworks lighting up the ocean, welcome to your most dazzling New Year’s yet.

See you at Shore Thing 2011.

Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg wants to spend New Year's Eve with us. When one of rap’s biggest icons wants to throw a party for you on the most famous beach in the world the only response is 'I'm there'.

He could've just stayed home throwing down beats with Dre, baking cookies with Martha Stewart, starring in the next Ben Stiller flick, or eating candy with California Gurl, Katy Perry, but he chose not to. With a hit new album Doggumentary to show off, the kingpin from Longbeach is ready to do what he does best.

"I spent New Year's Eve with Snoop".
Think about it. Say it. Do it.

Calvin Harris

New Year's Eve is the party of the year. It should involve copious amounts of dancing. It should involve big party anthems everyone knows the words to. So it absolutely, positively needs to involve Calvin Harris, Master of Parties and craftsman of some of the finest sing-a-longs in recent years.

It was proven long ago to be physically impossible to not shuffle your feet (trust us, we’ve tried) while listening to ‘Acceptable in the 80s’ or ‘Bounce’ and New Years Eve isn't the time to try. Involve yourself.

Pendulum

Pendulum, the DJs rock fans love dancing to and the band dance fans love moshing to. With a huge sound and a live show known to buckle brains, even U2 and Beyonce found themselves upstaged by the local lads after their Glastonbury appearance.

Collecting fans worldwide with their latest album Immersion, we're flattered the Perth boys chose Bondi beach to kick us into 2012. With their metal-infected drum'n'bass sounds, and a killer remix of the ABC news theme it's gonna be a helluva welcome home party.

When and where?
December 31, New Years Eve
Bondi Park, Bondi Beach
8:30pm – 3am

How much is all this gonna cost?

Standard $138+bf SOLD OUT

Final Release: $175 + bf SOLD OUT

'More Expensive Ticket' *$225+bf SOLD OUT

The aptly named 'More Expensive' ticket includes a dedicated express entry lane to the event plus access to the very exclusive Beach Bar, which includes:
• Fully stocked Cocktail Bar
• Entry to the exclusive and exotic Beach Bar featuring a raised platform with direct views of the stage and the whole of Bondi Beach
• S**t load of toilets
• Dedicated concierge with phone charging, cloak room and information services
• Canapes, massages and more
• 2 x complimentary drink vouchers*
• Dedicated luxury coach transfer to and from Bondi Junction*

Website

Fuzzy

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Bondi Beach Directory

Media Man Int

Sculpture By Sea At Sydney's Bondi Beach; Everyone's A Winner - 20th November 2011

2011-11-21T10:35:00.000+11:00

It wasn't Sculpture By The Sea that motivated Paul Selwood to become a sculpture artist, but rather the architecture of the Sydney Opera House.

On Thursday Selwood snatched the top prize at Bondi's 15th Sculpture By The Sea exhibition.

Selwood won with his abstract steel construction 'Paradiegma Metaphysic'.

"Paradiegma is an ancient Greek word used by architects who were trying to think about and invent beautiful architectural concepts, like temples," he said.

"The word metaphysic means extra-physical, something more than what is there in the physical material."

Today his artwork was viewed by Denmark's Crown Princess Mary and her husband Crown Prince Frederik, who are visited the exhibition on its final day.

The Danish royal couple have been admirers of the exhibition since 2000, when they came across on the sculptures during a visit to Bondi Beach during one of their first outings in the dealing dating period.

Sculpture By The Sea founding director David Handley told news media that Mary and Frederik were so taken by the event, they took it to Denmark.

"There has now been two Sculpture By The Sea exhibitions held in Aarhus, and 40 Australian sculptors have exhibited there as a result," he said.

Selwood's winning sculpture sits with the works by 61 NSW sculptors, 24 from interstate and 25 international artists...spanning the foreshore from Bondi Beach to Tamarama.

Paul Selwood's sculpture will join two previous winners as a permanent installation in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens once the exhibition is over.

Well done to all artists and those who help keep the famous event going.

Website

Sculpture By The Sea - Bondi

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Art

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Bondi Beach Directory Website Updated

2011-10-29T15:03:00.002+11:00

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Media, Technology And Community Entrepreneur To Speak At Bondi Beach Church on July 10th

2011-07-10T18:19:00.000+10:00

Media, Technology And Community Entrepreneur To Speak At Bondi Beach Church on July 10th...

JULY 10: Dr. Geoffrey Sykes

Virtual Selves, Avatars and Life in the Spirit - Towards a Theology of Media

Geoffrey has taught media studies at the Universities of Western Sydney and Wollongong, and published and lectured widely in this country and in prominent overseas institutions in the areas of media, communication and semiotics. He has produced and directed several videos, which have been broadcast on SBC, ABC and Foxtel, and has wide educational distribution and sales. Currently, he has several works in progress, He is an established playwright, with over 20 professional productions. In recent years he has curated a successful program of arts and theatre at the Bushchapel Helensburgh, and is currently expanding this to include video classes and activities.

Paul Virilio, a French Catholic theologian, coined the term 'virtuality' as part of negative criticism of the illusion and false values of mass media. His work belongs in a late twentieth century tradition of critical theory about media - including Baudrillard and the Frankfurt School - that stresses the false consciousness or simulacrum of media effects. The word virtuality has found more positive, though vague, meanings in popular discussion about media - especially new media like games. The talk will seek to re-claim a richer, yet thoroughly positive and theological sense of the term 'virtuality'. While maintaining it as a media term, the paper will also begin to reclaim the rich religious sense of the term "avatar", a sense that has been lost in its bowdlerized, common use as computer jargon. The paper will distinctly link both terms to New Testament forms of spiritual identity, as well as using them to provide an explanation of some of the continuing and transformative effects of media in our society. Is the church equipped to meet the opportunities of new media? What are the implications of fast broadband and the NBN? Can we argue for a new society and spirituality, based on a theology of self and community? Can we re-evaluate Christian thinking while embracing the full potential of contemporary media? The presentation will have two parts - a talk or paper, followed by an open discussion about the paper and also about any issues to do with media, theology and the spirituality or the church. Geoffrey will also briefly mention plans for community media.

Website

Chapel By The Sea Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach Directory Website Updated

2011-05-26T12:26:00.000+10:00

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Bondi Beach Directory

Bondi Beach Directory Website Network Updated

2011-05-22T14:28:00.000+10:00

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San Churro Bondi Beach Wins Media Man Cafe Of The Month: April 2011

2011-04-04T16:23:00.001+10:00

San Churro Bondi Beach Wins Media Man 'Cafe Of The Month' April 2011

Surfing aerial at Bondi Beach sho, by Greg Tingle - 12th March 2011

2011-03-13T13:17:00.002+11:00

Bondi Beach is set for aerial assault from the world's best aerial surfers when the Boost Mobile Surfsho makes a splash its final comp day, and what great weather it is. Shame about the small waves, but that's surfing.

About 50,000 people are expected, up about 10,000 from last year.

ASP world tour competitors include Julian Wilson, Jordy Smith, Owen Wright, Josh Kerr and Taj Burrow. The are competing from bragging rights at $25,000 worth of prizes.

Other surfers ripping it up for the fans are Craig Anderson, Mitch Crew, Mitch Coleborn and Jack Freestone, and freestyle is the order of the day for this pool of thrashers.

Yesterday's open qualifying round saw a two-foot swell with Ben Godwin and Beau Foster qualifying to join two-time champ Wright. Waves expected to get to a metre with a slight south-westerly.

The cool and hip event, now in its second year, is the biggest professional contest held at Bondi Beach, say the organisers.

Aerial surfing is the theme, so even when the surf isn't exactly huge, its still great entertainment for news media, fans, hardcores or beach babes.

The event is yet another shot in the arm for the Bondi Beach business community who suffered poor crowds and weather for much of last year, but this year things have certainly picked up.

The comp runs from March 11 to 13. Surfs up enough for a fun day at the world's most famous beach.

Websites

www.boostsurfsho.com.au

Bondi Beach Directory

Website Network

Media Man International

Media Man

Media Man Australia

Media Man Canada

Media Man Brand

Media Man Network

Surfsho surfs up at Bondi Beach...just, by Eva Rinaldi - 12th March 2011

2011-03-13T01:03:00.001+11:00

What a great day we enjoyed at Bondi Beach, thanks to the great folks at the Boost Mobile Surfsho.

Upon arrival we were first greeted by a friendly young many handing out Nature Valley crunch snack bars. They seemed healthy, but what got my attention was his cool bike and wagon being towed behind. Then we met Erin who had kindly organised our media accreditation for the day.

We walked down to the beach, but sadly surf wasn't exactly up today. The 1 meter waves, if that, were still expertly ridin by some of the world's top trick surfers, and by almost miracle I got some pretty cool photos of some rad moves and tricks on the baby waves.

The band that played to the crowd mid afternoon was pretty cool also, but next time please be clear about the name of your hip group.

Ok, now whether your a hardcore or newbie surfing fan, I think this rundown will help explain the event.

Boost Mobile Surfsho...

It's an annual aerial surf contest held on Sydney's famous Bondi beach. Last year’s SurfSho was the first international surf event to occur on iconic Bondi Beach in over two decades and this year it’s getting even more popular as a host of exciting aerial surfers from across the globe compete on the world’s most famous beach in this three-day surfing event.

Owen Wright...

Last year's winner is back to defend his crown. He's based in New South Wales and is no stranger to Bondi Beach... Last year, he defeated Kelly Slater on the same wave. Thousands of spectators are expected to return in 2011 to watch the champ defend his back-to-back titles.

Nike 6.0 Pro Surfer...

Julian Wilson is a rookie on the ASP World Tour but he's already one of its biggest name value stars. Aged only 19 and with a win over Kelly Slater already under his belt, as well as motion picture appearances and increasingly impressive performances on the ASP World Tour, Julian is the good looking and ultra talented man to watch.

Fan Friendly...

The SurfSho comp follows a unique format which is designed to make it easy for fans to follow from the beach - even non-surfers. At the start of each run, a big wheel ala game show style is spun at the start of each heat, determining which tricks the surfers must perform. B.O.O.S.T letters are awarded to each successful manoeuvre and the 6 highest scored surfers who spell BOOST go into the final.

Stiff Competition...

World-class surf stars Taj Burrow, Jordy Smith, Julian Wilson and Owen Wright busting their best moves, the atmosphere is going to be intense at Boost Mobile SurfSho. "Last year’s SurfSho was a lot of fun and it was great to beat world number one - Kelly Slater," says 2010 champ Owen Wright. "I like Bondi a lot, and if we are lucky to have awesome waves again, there is going to be some stiff competition!"

Boost Mobile SurfSho pumps from March 11 to 13. Surf might not be totally up, but the fun is.

Websites

www.boostsurfsho.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography

Bondi Beach Directory

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Media Man International

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World's best aerial surfers return to Bondi Beach for the Boost Mobile SurfSho 2011

2011-03-08T15:19:00.001+11:00

March 2011 - Join world-class surfers Taj Burrow, Jordy Smith, Owen Wright and Julian Wilson as they bust out their best moves at the Boost Mobile SurfSho at Bondi Beach from 11th to 13th March 2011.

Last year’s Boost Mobile SurfSho was the first international surfing event to take place on Bondi Beach in over 20 years, with thousands of spectators expected to return in 2011 to watch Owen Wright defend his coveted back to back titles, competing on the world’s most iconic beach in this free, fun-filled, three-day surfing event.

Please let me know if you would like high resolution photos or to arrange an interview with one of the surfers.

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Surfing

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Bowl-A-Rama Goes Rad At Bondi Beach, by Greg Tingle - 19th February 2011

2011-02-21T16:11:00.002+11:00

Bowl-A-Rama. What's that I hear you ask?

Well, if you don't know you're not a mad, rad, skateboard nut.

The main event just happened to be first stop on the World Cup Skateboarding (WCS) leg .

Bondi Beaches' extreme sports fraternity had been looking forward to the big day and the show didn't disappoint. The motley crew has done Bondi Beach for the past 5 years, but insiders tell us that this year was the biggest, baddest and best to date. Yeah man, it was radical, as they say in cool skateboarding speak.

Beach locals would likely be aware of the skatebowl, but what most didn't know is that the bowl is favorite to many of the world's top skateboard pros (and masters aka legends).

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock, you would already know that the world of extreme sports, and certainly pro skateboarding, is big business and attracts million of dollars and some of the biggest media and sponsorship deals on the planet.

So, what's it all about? From a riders perspective the word is that fun is the name of the game, along with a massive adrenaline rush, but a reality check also shows for many its also about the big bucks, Oh, there's the party lifestyle, world travelling, chics and also a few unspeakables, not so suitable for a local newspaper's family orientated readership.

The event kicked off at 10am, but keen media and skate super freaks started showing up as early as 7am.

The promoter claims 100,000 or so folks witnessed the Bondi Beach event (but that includes the thousands of casual fans and others who couldn't fit in the purpose built arena (more on that later), who watched on the grassy knoll.

The thrashers, as they like to be called, were broken down into a few categories. You have the pros, with over a dozen showing Bondi their stuff, then there's the masters (or "legends") says Lee Ralph, and then there's the amateurs, who Bowl-A-Rama powers that be talent scouted.

A few things became obvious earlier in the day, before the event officially got on the way. It was be hot (literary and figuarably), sold out, cool, or rad, and that many of the worlds best skateboarders would be giving it their all, with a field that spanned the globe. Oh, Bondi Beaches's favorite son (of the skateboarding world), Mick Mulhall, continued to get a rock star ovation, but some insiders say he was never going to win.

Every skateboarder has their own story to tell, but the essence is fun, guts, stacks, tricks, parties, and just being the best you can be. Characters a plenty in this extreme sport.

The rider who grabbed our attention, and we suspect that of much of the crowd, was the well traveled Lee Ralph, who looked to be pushing 50, with his larrikin mannerisms, man-beast looks, impressive goatie, and never say die attitude, attempting some tricks that were never going to come off. When Ralph was quizzed on what's its all about he said "It's about fun, being the best you can be, and the rush". The master told us that he liked how many follows saw him and his peers as legends of the sport. "Man, that's cool, I like the sound of that. We just do our best, feed off the crowd, and have a hell of a lot of fun out there."

One of the youngsters of the sport, Pedro Barros (15), having flown in from Brazil, has already opened his own skate park, snatched X Games medals and just last year knocked out Bucky Lasek in the finals to win Bondi’s Bowl-A-Rama competition.

Todays's pro line up included Barros, Steve Caballero, Omar Hassan, Bob Burnquist, Rune Glifberg, Sam Beckett, Tony Trujillo and Corbin Harris.

"Winning doesn’t say you’re better than anyone, that was just a moment and Bucky didn’t have the luck of landing the tricks when I did. Being happy for me isn’t knocking out nobody, it’s just being around everybody and skateboarding. That’s what it’s about." Baros said.

He entered his first comp at three years of age and was fortunate enough to having a have a supportive dad who enjoyed the sport, plus avoiding serious injury didn't go astray either.

"I only broke my arm two or three times and I blew my elbow out of place not too long ago - nothing really serious. "It’s never good to hurt yourself, but whatever happens is supposed to. You can’t choose anything."

Bowl-A-Rama's pinnacle was on Saturday, but in line with the lifestyle, brought more than just a full day of rad thrashing to Bondi Beach. An impressive four days of parties, music and events were also part of the package. Even popular musos Infusion and Philadelphia Grand Jury joined in the fun and then there was the skateboarding inspired "Love and Guts Art Show".

Bondi Bowl-A-Rama was mainly bankrolled by Vans and Oakley. It was also Australia’s first-ever live webcast event for a skateboarding event, Barros won the pros, with an impressive portfolio of heavy lines, bio airs and a rad mix of stunts to win the Pro division.

The Masters was taken out by Steve Caballero - the third year in a row.

Bondi Beach, Waverley Council and Tourism NSW also won, with many shops and tourist attractions in the area reporting a record weekend trade.

Oh, that's right. You want to know who won and placed also.

Results:

Pros
1. Pedro Barros
2. Rune Glifberg
3. Bucky Lasek
4. Bob Burnquist
5. Renton Millar
6. Narthan Beck
7. RJ Barbaro
8. Nolan Monroe

Masters
1. Steve Caballero
2. Mik Mulhall
3. Lester Kasai
4. Nicky Guerrero
5. Sergie Ventura
6. Pat Ngoho
7. Sasha Steinhorst
8. Steve Alba

Best Trick: Bob Burnquist – Switch frontside heelflip frontside air

The verdict - Bondi Bowl-A-Rama was a world class sporting and pop culture event and Bondi Beach was truly blessed to have hosted it. Fun, dangerous, radical, totally entertaining and more. For $50 a ticket the main event day represented fantastic value for money, wowing the crowd for over 5 hours. Australia is already buzzing about their return next year and us locals can't wait to have you back.

Website

Bowl-A-Rama
http://www.bowlarama.com.au

*Photos by Eva Rinaldi Photography

BONDI BOWL-A-RAMA LIVE ON FUEL TV THIS WEEKEND

2011-02-18T21:22:00.000+11:00

The world's most iconic beach will host Australasia's premier skateboarding event this weekend and for the first time FUEL TV will deliver the event LIVE to action sports fans across the nation.

Set against the famous backdrop of Bondi Beach, the best skaters in the world will compete on one of the finest bowls in the world at Vans Bowl-A-Rama.

Entering its seventh year, the Bondi event will this year carry a prize purse of $60,000 AUD and has attracted the greatest cross-generational gathering of international skaters for any single event in the history of Australian skateboarding.

The main competition, which takes place on Saturday, is surrounded by a week-long festival of activities, drawing thousands of onlookers to the famous precinct to not only watch the action on the bowl but to take in the various art shows, live music performances and video premieres.

Adam Howarth, Fuel TV Channel Manager, said: “Vans Bowl-A-Rama is one of the truly iconic events in skateboarding and every year it seems to get bigger and better.”

“This is the first time that we have committed to broadcasting the event LIVE and the reaction we’ve received from the skateboarding community and all of our action sports tragics has been overwhelming. This will be an awesome event,” he said.

FUEL TV’s coverage will begin at 5pm AEDT this Saturday, with resident skateboard star and Pop Gun host Corbin Harris commentating on the action LIVE throughout the broadcast.

FUEL TV’S LIVE and EXCLUSIVE coverage of Vans Bowl-A-Rama is available to FOXTEL and AUSTAR subscribers.

VANS BOWL-A-RAMA
LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON FUEL TV

SATURDAY 19 FEBRUARY, 2011
5.00PM – 7.00PM AEDT

(Credit: Fox Sports - Fuel TV)

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Bowl-A-Rama

BONDI BOWL-A-RAMA LIVE ON FUEL TV THIS WEEKEND

2011-02-18T16:19:00.003+11:00

Thrash hit - Bowl-A-Rama returns to Bondi Beach - 16th February 2011

2011-02-17T13:34:00.001+11:00

At just 15, Brazilian skate prodigy Pedro Barros has already opened his own skate complex, bagged two X Games medals and last year knocked out Bucky Lasek to win Bondi’s Bowl-A-Rama competition.

This week, Pedro will return to Bondi to defend his title and take on another bowl-full of the world’s finest thrashers, including Steve Caballero, Omar Hassan, Bob Burnquist, Rune Glifberg, Sam Beckett, Tony Trujillo and Corbin Harris.

Despite vanquishing Lasek (who has 20 more years’ professional experience) last year, Pedro attributed much of his apparently freakish skill to luck and timing.

“Winning doesn’t say you’re better than anyone, that was just a moment and Bucky didn’t have the luck of landing the tricks when I did,” he said. “Being happy for me isn’t knocking out nobody, it’s just being around everybody and skateboarding. That’s what it’s about.”

Learning to skate from the moment he could walk and entering his first competition aged three years old, Pedro said he’d been lucky to have a supportive dad who loved to skate and to avoid “serious injury”.

“I only broke my arm two or three times and I blew my elbow out of place not too long ago - nothing really serious,” he said.

“It’s never good to hurt yourself, but whatever happens is supposed to. You can’t choose anything.”

This year Bowl-A-Rama is bringing four days of parties and events to Bondi, including performances from Infusion and Philadelphia Grand Jury and the skate-themed “Love and Guts Art Show”.

The show’s curator, Pat Ngoho, said skating was a creative discipline and that some artworks in the show were supplied by pioneers of the sport.

“When we were kids skating backyard pools we had no idea that we would one day be skating around the world 30 years later,” he said.

“As an artist, you always think the ultimate is a sold-out showing in big New York galleries and we did that last year with Love and Guts. It was a total backdoor way of approaching the art scene but we did it.”

Bowl-A-Rama events will run from Wednesday, February 16, to Sunday, February 20, with the major competition at Bondi Skate Park on Saturday, February 19. (Credit: The Wentworth Courier)

See www.bowlarama.com.au

BOWL-A-RAMA Bondi

2011-02-16T19:59:00.002+11:00

BOWL-A-RAMA Bondi

ABOUT
The best skaters in the world, competing on one of the finest bowls in the world, set against the most iconic beach in the world. This is Vans BOWL-A-RAMA Bondi.
We’re throwing everything at it for Vans BOWL-A-RAMA 2011 - legendary riders competing for the biggest prize money in the history of the event, plus a week-long festival including art shows, video premiers, live music performances, giveaways and more.

WHEN
Competition: Saturday 19 Feb
Additional events: Wednesday 16 – Sunday 20 Feb
It all kicks off Wednesday 16th with the WCSK8 Official Rider Registration Party, and runs all week with a heap of events. The competition is on from 9am - 7pm at Bondi Beach Skatepark.

EVENTS

LAUNCH PARTY
The official launch party slash rider sign in party, courtesy of Vans in conjunction with WCSK8 and The Beach Road Hotel - expect loads of music, giveaways and more. And leave the coin at home – it’s free. (This is an Over 18’s event so please bring ID)

LOVE & GUTS ART SHOW

We’ve rounded up some of the world’s most creative skaters past and present for the annual international travelling exhibition.

Participants in previous year's shows include Lance Mountain, Steve Caballero, Christian Hosoi, Pat Ngoho and a stack more. Stay tuned for details on this year’s theme and incredible roster of artists.

VANS WRAP PARTY
Beach Road Hotel
7.00pm
There are some big announcements coming soon for this year’s Awards Party so sit tight. (It is an Over 18s event so please bring your ID)

GROMMET SKATE AREA

RESULTS

PRO RESULTS 2010
1. Pedro Barros $12,000
2. Bucky Lasek $7,000
3. Bob Burnquist $4,000
4. Omar Hassan $2,500
5. Rune Glifberg $1,500
6. RJ Barbaro $1,100
7. Juergen Horrwarth$900
8. Josh Borden $800
9. Rion Linderman $700
10. Renton Millar $600
11. Daniel Cardone $200
12. Nathan Beck $200
13. Sam Beckett $200
14. Otavio Neto $150
15. Grant Taylor $150

MASTERS RESULTS 10
1. Steve Caballero $3,000
2. Pat Ngoho $1,800
3. Mik Mulhall $1,100
4. Glen Charnoski $700
5. Lester Kasai $500
6. Jeff Grosso $200
7. John Grey $200
8. Lance Mountain $200
9. Adrian Jones $150
10. Scott Spring $150

STAY SAFE

TRANSPORT TO EVENT: Buses - 380, 382, 389 and Waverley Council Beach Runner Train - Eastern Suburbs / Cronulla - Southerland Line Car - Parking available at Queen Elizabeth Drive car park and Bondi Junction. Enjoy the day and come by Public Transport.

EVENT SAFETY:
Summer sun - wear 30+ sun block, a hat and adequate sun protection
Alcohol free event - There will be bag searches and you will be asked to take your alcohol home or dump it. Local ordinances apply.
For more information please CLICK HERE to download the “STAY SAFE at the beach” brochure.

BOWL-A-RAMA™ 2011 Conditions of Entry

For the comfort, safety and enjoyment of all persons attending this event please be advised of the following conditions:

Organisers reserve the right to search all bags at the time of entry to the venue.
Failure to comply will mean you will be prevented from entering the event.
Persons causing a disturbance or refusing to comply with requests from Security will be ejected from the event;

The Event Producer reserves the right to refuse entry or reject patrons from the event at its sole discretion;
The Event Producer or venue shall not be held liable for any loss, injury or damages sustained entering or at the event;
By entering this event site you agree to being filmed or photographed, the product of which may be used for marketing or promotional purposes;
The following restricted or prohibited items are not permitted by patrons into the event:

Glass bottles
Unsealed containers
Alcoholic beverages
Illicit drugs
Knives or other dangerous weapons including potential missiles
Flares, fireworks or sparklers
Animals or pets
Flags with poles, large flags or banners that might obstruct the view of other patrons
Any item that you intend (or such quantities of the item from which Management can reasonably infer that you intend) to distribute, hawk, sell, offer, expose for sale or display for marketing display or promotional purposes
Any dangerous goods
Any other items as determined by Security or Management that may cause injury or public nuisance

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Sydney breaks world inflatable thong record at Bondi Beach - 26th January 2011

2011-01-27T12:21:00.001+11:00

Sydney has broken a record on Australia Day for the most number of inflatable thongs in the ocean.

With 2068 registered thongs in the water at North Bondi beach, Sydneysiders have smashed the former record of 1301 held by Cottesloe beach in Western Australia.

"It's a great mood down here. Everyone went crazy when our MC John Mathison announced the final number," said Florence Sandford, spokeswoman for the fifth annual Havaianas Thongs Challenge.

"Now everyone's just walking around the beach carrying the giant thongs."

Bikini bodies on the beach displayed temporary Australian flag tattoos in honour of the national festivities and many people were happy to flaunt the flag on their boardies, bikinis and towels.

Lifeguard Rosie Taliano of Surf Rescue on North Bondi said there were no major first aid disasters despite the thousands on the beach. (Credit: AAP)

The name's Bondi, Mr Bondi, by Rob Bates - The Wentworth Courier - 19th January 2011

2011-01-22T12:55:00.002+11:00

Personal trainer Anthony Marich insists he won the inaugural Mr Bondi competition last Saturday despite his quintessentially Bondi appearance and not because of it.

“They weren’t looking for someone like me, I honestly believe that,” Mr Marich said. “I’m a personal trainer, I’ve got a little bit of muscle and long blonde hair and I think it really worked against me because I was too much of a cliche.”

The final round of the competition, which organisers said was “not just about the sixpack” and searched for “deeper qualities”, was held at Bondi FM Cafe Bar with the final 12 contestants subjected to a speed-dating-style interview session.

“I guess they were looking for genuineness, truthfulness, honesty - all the stuff that’s getting lost,” he said.

Defeating runner-up Mike Goldman for the title and bragging rights, Mr Marich also walked away with $8000 in prizes, $3000 of which he said would help turn his garage into a personal training gym. (Credit: The Wentworth Courier)

The Bondi FM Cafe

2011-01-17T17:18:00.002+11:00

The home of our broadcast studio since 18th July 2009, The Bondi FM Cafe is the first radio station/cafe/bar in Australia. The aim was to create a funky venue where music lovers can enjoy hearing and seeing the radio shows being presented live in the studio which is situated in the heart of the cafe. And it seems like we've achieved just that. Check out the 'Reviews' tab to find out what people are saying about it.

Station director, Russ Ayres, decided that Bondi FM needed to be in a public domain when he realised how many of the evening DJ's were having their own private parties in the studio, which, at the time was tucked away on the top floor The Bondi Hotel.

With the help of Nathalie Ayres, The Bondi FM Cafe concept was born. However, it took 6 years to find the perfect location that would enable to dream to become a reality. (Credit: Bondi FM)

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2011-01-16T11:07:00.001+11:00

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Bondi Rescue: Art imitates life with bodypaint, by Greg Tingle - 14th January 2011

2011-01-15T00:45:00.000+11:00

World renowned Australian bodyartist and up and coming photo journalist, Eva Rinaldi, returned to her old news media stomping ground, Bondi Beach today, and we think was responsible for once again raising the temperatures of guys and gals.

On previous occasions whenever Ms Rinaldi visited Bondi Beach either a bodypainted look-a-like or Oprah Winfrey or 'Rebel Avatar's' would appear.

Well, today was a bit of mystery. There were a number of reported sightings of an artist matching Ms Rinadi's ID, friend - TV presenter Joy Hhuby and photographer Marek Jezierski.

Before you could say "Let's Paint Oprah" a couple of bodypaited Aussie stunners appeared out of the middle of nowhere, between the flags on the north end. The brunette lying on her back, appearing to be exhausted, but showing an inkling of a smile, and just a touch of pink, with much of her eco friendly bodypaint having been washed away. The blonde bombshell frantically pumping (her heart) and pounding on her chest, attempting to give the kiss of life, right between the lips. A concerned onlooker shouted "we better get help" and rushed over to the scene pulling out his mobile and looking to dial 000. A few more minutes and the victim had fully recovered. Then a light applause, and many a tourist, mainly red blooded males, asked if they would be ok to get a photo, and the rescuer and rescue-ee both obliged, seamlessly making a miraculous recovery.

One beach goer couldn't resist and asked the models their names and we understand them to now be identified as Kalais Rauchle and Tess Evans.

So, an emergency, elaborate stunt or life imitating art? For the record no Bondi Rescue lifeguards or Network Ten press types were present, so we suspect it may have been another 'Human Statue' creation.

It was 28% at Bondi Beach, Sydney today, but the buzz is Ms Rinaldi's antics raised the bar o meter at least another 10%. Bondi Beach continues to play a game of "can you top that", and the bodypainting queen of down under looks to be giving all and sundry a bit of a run for their money. We rate the performance (if that is what it was) as a Perfect 10. Yeah, Brooke Shields and Andy Warhol would have been proud.

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2011-01-08T22:52:00.000+11:00

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2010-12-28T19:46:00.001+11:00

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Australian Media and Photographer Legend Dies, by Greg Tingle - 22nd November 2010

2010-11-22T23:46:00.001+11:00

RIP Peter Carrette. Peter, you were an angel among us. I feel blessed to have known you. Glad we caught up at the Bondi Beach Sea Shepherd on Friday. It was strange how we first met at Kerry Packer's funeral in 2005, at the Sydney Opera House, on a day which was more a celebration of life, rather than a focus on his death. When I moved to Bondi Beach in 2008 our friendship blossomed, and you were always an attentive ear, and a wonderful source of information and humor. Your Packer and nightlife stories were fantastic and music to my years. Being able to make modest donations to your orphanage in Cambodia was and always will occupy a special place in my heart and memory, as it will for our dear friend, Eva, who also just loved your presence, generosity of heart and spirit, and your photos of course. Eva and I just loved the gifts we got from you at the beach on the weekend, having been sent over from your orphanage in Cambodia. Your Tony Abbott costume you wore to the Sea Shepherd No Compromise! event on Friday night was a classic, just as you were. Knowing you enriched my life, and that of so many of my friends and acquaintances. You were one of the Australian media's great guys, and I think you knew that I saw you as a bit of a father figure or uncle also, even though I never said those words. You were smart enough to know. The visits to the "best office in the world' at the pad at Bondi Beach were also a fun and memorable experience. Your beautify energy, passion and warmth will always be remembered. You made me, and others, probably look so much better than we actually were, thanks to your artistic and creative gifts. Your colorful shoes will be hard to fill. Always in my mind, and whenever I walk down the hill to the beach I will continue to think of you fondly. You were way too good, in too many ways, to only be remembered as a great photographer. You were a wonderful human being. Another legend has been lost, but will never be forgotten
Greg Tingle, Founder and Director, Media Man

Australian Media and Photographer Legend Dies, by Greg Tingle

One of Australia's most colorful and successful photographers Peter Carrette has died of a heart attack this past weekend.

Regarded as one of the good guys in the pap and photography biz, London born Carrette first came to prominence when he photographed a sick Marianne Faithful in a drug coma in her hospital bed circa 1969.

Faithful had tripped to Australia with musician Mick Jagger who was to star in a film about Ned Kelly. She had over-dosed after, it was claimed in the British press, she had discovered Jagger in bed as it were, with another woman.

Carrette donned a white doctor's coat and stethoscope and sneaked into Faithful's room, snapped the photo that was flashed around the world as one of the first examples of intrusive photography. Earlier this year when Faithful was in town for the Sydney Festival, she advised new media outlet 'The Shuttle' she'd still like to give the snapper a "quick boot in the backside". However she later revealed she had forgiven him.

After a stint of studying photography in London, Carrette traveled to Sydney and picked up gig as Sir Frank Packer's copy boy when the media baron owned Daily Mirror newspaper.

Once established he worked for various publications photographing news. He ambushed the US invasion of Grenada by hiring a smuggler's boat while the world's news media waited for official transport in downtown Barbados. He also did well in New York for 6 years and photographed for leading fashion title Vogue in Paris for 2 years.

A few years back here in Sydney he and another pap squirted the actor Heath Ledger with water pistols at a Sydney film premiere. The images of a startled and wet Ledger was flashed around the world. He was ever so briefly banned by film companies from movie premieres and the like, but later made peace with Ledger shortly before he died in New York.

Carrette also supported an orphanage in Cambodia by donating the fees received from his exclusive candid photos of celebrities often taken around Bondi Beach.

He ran his own studio and photo biz from a Bondi Beach flat, "The greatest office in the world" he said, where he had lived for the past 20 years. The flat is owned by his good mate, Jack Thompson.

Carrette was well liked in the industry, a keen philanthropist, and gave a lot back to the industry.

He attended the Sea Shepherd Bondi No Compromise! event at the beach on Friday night at the invitation of Media Man, who has collaborated closely with Peter over the past 3 years, usually at Bondi Beach and often on community based projects.

It's understood he passed away on Sunday evening from heart failure while working at his computer.

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Bondi Rescue Lifeguards And Amanda Hinchcliffe Help Build Giant Mo Sandcastle!

2010-11-22T11:07:00.005+11:00

Bondi Rescue Lifeguards And Amanda Hinchcliffe Help Build Giant Mo Sandcastle!

Bondi Beach grows a giant Mo!

This Tuesday morning, 23rd Movember, the Bondi Rescue Life Guards - famous icons of health and vitality in Sydney - will show their support for the betterment of men’s health by helping to build a giant sandcastle Mo, or Mo-Castle, at iconic Bondi Beach.

This will be the creation of award winning sand sculptor Jino van Bruinessen (one of only 5 sand sculptors operating in Australia), who will be joined by Bondi Rescue Lifeguards Hoppo and Kerbox, Movember Mo Sista ambassadors Amanda Hinchcliffe and Kate Hurst, and Movember spokesperson Rob Treharne.

The massive Mo-Castle will be a celebration of, and nod to, the vast numbers of Mo's being worn proudly on the lips of men around the country, and globe. And what better place to do it than Bondi - internationally famous for healthy living, sand, and the outdoors.

This week Movember hit their millionth registration and remain on course to beat all previous donations and registration records. With NSW numbers at over 37,000 registrations and over a third of all money raised so far (over 3 million dollars) we hope this will be all the encouragement Sydney-siders need to keep up the good fight for the remainder of the month.

Where:

Bondi Beach, Sydney from 07:00am on Tuesday 23rd Movember!

Visual opportunities:

7.30am - 1.00pm - Sandcastle in progress
12.30 - 1.00pm - Sandcastle to be completed

Interview opportunities:

7.00am - 1.00pm - Movember spokesperson Rob Treharne, Mo Sista ambassador Kate Hurst
8.00am - 1.30pm - Bondi Rescue stars and surf lifesavers Hoppo and Kerbox, Mo Sista ambassador Miss Hawaiian Tropic 2010 Amanda Hinchcliffe

Press enquiries please contact Josh Gardiner 0403 921 097

To speak to our official spokesperson please contact Robbie Treharne 0419 273 263

For assistance on the day, please contact event manager Anestis Mantzouranis 0438 250 565

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Human Statue Bodyart Sponsors Sea Shepherd; Amazing Human Statue To Make Special Appearance This Friday Night 7pm At Bondi Beach Pavilion; Sydney

2010-11-17T16:58:00.001+11:00

Human Statue Bodyart director, Eva Rinaldi, is delighted to announce that she has sponsored the world famous Sea Shepherd Conversation Society event coming up this Friday night at Bondi Beach.

Ms Rinaldi, a long time social and community entrepreneur and environmentalist, didn't need too much convincing to support the cause when she found out via the grapevine that Captain Paul Watson and his fearless Sea Shepherd crew and team would be hosting a special event 'No Comprimise' at the High Tide Room, Bondi Pavilion.

In recent months Ms Rinaldi has organised, promoted and executed a number of her home grown events and happenings at Bondi Beach included 'Let's Paint Oprah', 'Dear Oprah', 'Breaking Down The Walls', with more soon to follow.

Ms Rinaldi has promised to unleash a nature - Sea Shepherd themed human statue creation, the likes of which has never been seen before. Whether you're a passionate environmentalist, art lover, both, or just curious, come long and be part of what will be one of Bondi Beach's most memorable happenings this year. The big night will offer a host of entertainment, inspiration, memorabilia, presentations, surprises and of course, great food and drinks.

Operation No Compromise is the Sea Shepherd's 7th annual Antarctic based campaign and the focus is protecting the whales in the Southern Ocean.

When quizzed about her main motivation to become pro actively involved with Sea Shepherd Ms Rinaldi said "I have been passionate about nature and animals for as long as I can remember. I grew up on a farm. Over the years I have heard a lot of wonderful things about Captain Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd team. My media agent Greg Tingle had been telling me a lot of great things about them and when I found out they would be appearing again at Bondi Beach I thought count me in. We are all so excited, and what a fantastic venue for this wonderful cause. I can't wait to unveil my latest artistic creation there."

About Human Statue Bodyart:

Human Statue Bodyart is widely recognised as Australia's leading bodyart, bodypainting and human statue agency. They have been in business since 1997 and have worked on such diverse campaigns and personalities including Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Raymond Usher, Sydney Opera Bar, Let's Paint Oprah, Roberto Duran - Mexican Day Of The Dead, Virgin, Eclipse and Tourism Australia. They offer everything from basic makeup and styling, props and design, education and training, film set and TV support, all the way up to national and international campaigns.

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About Sea Shepherd Conservation Society:

The Sea Shepherd Convervational Society (SSCS) is a non-profit, marine conservation organization based in Friday Harbor, Washington, in the United States. The group uses direct action tactics to protect sealife. Sea Shepherd currently operates te vessels MY Steve Irwin, Ocean Adventurer and the Bob Barker, as the most of the group's activities take place in international waters. The group has a strong focus on public relations to spread their message via the media.

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About Media Man:

Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Media Man was established in 2001 by Greg Tingle, and has created and operated some of Australia's largest and more successful media campaigns. Media Man is the media agent for Human Statue Bodyart and a long time fan and supporter of Sea Shepherd and host of other social and community causes. Founder, Greg Tingle, is a Bondi Beach based journalist, media commentator, environmentalist and social entrepreneur.

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Event Details:

Bondi No Compromise!

When: Friday, 19th November 2010
Where: Bondi Pavillion, High Tide Room, Bondi Beach, NSW
Contact: sydney@seashepherd.org
Tickets: AU$25

James Packer Bondi Beach Pad No Jackpot, by Greg Tingle - 7th November 2010

2010-11-07T13:33:00.001+11:00

G'day punters, casino and media millionaires and billionaires, politicians and one and all. What's happening with Australia's casino and new media king, James Packer, on the domestic - home front? Well, Packer's Bondi Beach based pay is not enjoying the same financial success and the majority of his other ventures we learn. Media Man and Gambling911 put on the thongs and board shorts checking out the casino kings' property happenings at Bondi Beach...

The sellers wanted in the region of $8 million-plus, but the buyers stopped their bidding at $7 million. It was the Bondi Beach house that a young James Packer, casino and gambling mogul in the making, established as his first home in the 90s.

A total of 3 registered bidders still say it failed to sell at this weekend's Raine & Horne auction when offered by the New York-based Lochtenberg family. It last sold when Packer's former fiancee, Kate Fischer, pocketed a cool $2,825,000 in 2000. The 210 sq m pad had been transferred fee free from Packer's development company into Fischer's name in October 1998, showing his well known generosity of heart and spirit.

Packer and Fischer had been in a 5-year personal relationship during which the Notts Avenue property was purchased for a seemly bargain priced $425,000 in 1995. Subsequently Packer moved into a 3-level apartment on nearby Campbell Parade, which remains his abode. He and his wife Erica have also spent roughly $30 million on a Vaucluse home known in today's lingo as "residential compound", not be be confused with gaming figure Calvin Ayre's 'Bodog Compound'.

Packer began living on the Bondi Beach "golden mile#2) sharing an $800-a-week rental apartment with mate David Gyngell in the beautiful Pacific Terraces complex elsewhere on Notts Avenue. JP's late father Kerry Packer had helped finance the Pacific Terraces development by Bill Shipton in 1983.

The Notts Avenue house has been rented out by the Lochtenbergs at about $2500 bucks a week since their purchase in circa 2000.

Ok readers, we know you want to know more about Packer's gaming and media deals, so stick with us as there's much more of that coming on the horizon. It is a Sunday here at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia. With that said, we might pop into Berg's Gaming at the famous Bondi Iceberg's club later on today to breath in the fresh air and view, that our decade of blood, sweat and tears in news media has afforded us.

Media Man and Gambling911 wish the Packer's well with their professional and personal lives, and hope to report a positive result for them on the home front very shortly. With Media Man world headquarters just a stone's throw from the Packer's, you can expect an update on this Packer goss er news, much sooner than later.

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Wrap Up...

Readers... er, punters, how did you like our domestic James Packer report? Tell us in the forum. If you have a bet, please bet with your head, not over it, and for God's sake, have fun.

*Greg Tingle is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man http://www.mediamanint.com is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. They cover a dozen industry sectors including gaming and offer political commentary and analysis. They also publish Property News Media http://www.propertynewsmedia.com

*The writer owns shares in Crown Limited

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Australian bodyartist breaking down walls at Bondi Beach to bodypaint Oprah, by Greg Tingle - 17th October 2010

2010-10-18T15:58:00.001+11:00

It was another glorious day at Bondi Beach as summer continues to sneak up on us.

The beach was abuzz today with clear blue skies, 22 degree temperatures, awesome surf, surf comps for pros and the nippers and much more.

As the day moved forward a special vibe swept through the iconic beach. Before long, beach walkers and cafes were chatting about the fact that today was the Bali day of remembrance and that this would also be included in surfing and artistic endeavors.

At roughly 10am a now familiar site, the 'Let's Paint Oprah' artists and models, were seen getting creative with bodypaint up against the famous graffiti art wall which runs between the Bondi life guard towers and the skatepark. One hour later six eclectic models had been bodypainted, and Bondi's resident photographer and noted philanthropist, Peter Carrette, was quick to snap up the action, so Team Human Statue can wire and Facebook the images around the world.

Eva Rinaldi and her human rainbow clan has taken to Bondi Beach like a ducks to water, and Eva has clearly established herself as Bondi's newest and most creative local force.

Today Eva organised 6 models (Jillian Biscara, Benjamin Cao, Dominique Nasr, Alesandra Nasr, Victoria Mauromatis and Victoria Gorette) to be painted by her collaborative of artists.

The themes were partly inspired by the Bondi Beach graffiti art wall and were entitled 'Breaking Down The Wall To Painting Oprah'.

To date Eva's campaign to paint or do a human statue of Oprah Winfrey have included 'Let's Paint Oprah', 'Dear Oprah', and 'My Want Today Is To Paint Oprah Winfrey' (via Sydney radio), and next up will be 'Walk To Oprah', which will involve a gathering of bodypainted models and iconic Australians walking for a good cause from Circular Quay to the Sydney Opera House in the coming weeks.

As a number of beachgoers said earlier, the mere fact that Human Statue Bodyart did get a return phone call from Oprah's Harpro Productions is evidence that they're on the right track. A large number of people walking past Eva's creations were overheard to say words to the effect of "I know what that is. That's the lady who wants to bodypaint Oprah".

All we can say is keep doing what you're doing, may the world be your human rainbow, and be blessed in your quest to collaborate with Oprah and friends.

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2010-10-03T17:49:00.000+11:00

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach, Sydney tipped for dynamic publicity stunt this Saturday morning: 10am - 10.15am approx; More details pending

2010-09-20T18:30:00.005+10:00

Bondi Beach, Sydney tipped for dynamic publicity stunt this Saturday morning: 10am - 10.15am approx; More details pending

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Media Man interviewed on 'The Today Show' Channel 7 this morning re celebrities attacking paparazzi

2010-09-20T18:30:00.001+10:00

Media Man interviewed on 'The Today Show' Channel 7 this morning re celebrities attacking paparazzi

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Media Man Bondi Beach Arts, Media And Entertainment Face To Face Brainstorming

2010-08-18T09:04:00.001+10:00

Media Man Bondi Beach Arts, Media And Entertainment Face To Face Brainstorming

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GenerationOne ideas forum, by Greg Tingle - The Bondi View - 12th August 2010

2010-08-13T13:35:00.001+10:00

It wasn’t the first forum addressing Aboriginal disadvantage, nor will it be the last but this “talkfest” up the road at Moore Park, Fox Studios was effective.
For me it was personal.

Like GenerationOne founder and visionary, Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest (mining magnate billionaire) and his Bondi Beach-based mate, James “Casino King” Packer (currently sailing the high seas off Europe), I spent my formative youth around indigenous Australians.

I strongly agree with Twiggy’s comments that “the more you get to know Aboriginal people the more you love them”.

I believe GenerationOne will be successful. Why? Key people in GenerationOne are already employing thousands of Aboriginal people and plan to employ more. There’s no handouts here. Forrest, Packer and others help because it’s the right thing to do and its good business.

Twiggy has challenged politicians of all parties to help Indigenous people get into the Australian workforce. The mining king said he “wasn’t a bleeding heart”.

“Skilling up Indigenous people makes good business sense,” he told the Fox Studios audience last Thursday.

“Employment is the key to ending Indigenous disparity if the government encourages industries that can really make a difference – mining, tourism, construction, hospitality.

“If they encourage those industries to deliver training then other companies will have the faith to continue the employment.”

He said the government would need to provide funding or subsidise the costs of training.

Deputy chief executive of the Business Council of Australia, Melinda Cliento, also on the GenerationOne panel, said standards needed to be raised so indigenous children didn’t leave school and end up unemployed.

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Media Man Team Cheers On City 2 Surf At Bondi Beach; Friendly Ambush Marketing - 8th August 2010

2010-08-08T12:20:00.001+10:00

Media Man Team Cheers On City 2 Surf At Bondi Beach; Friendly Ambush Marketing

The annual City 2 Surf fun run took place today.

Celebrating its 40th year, over 80,000 runners participated in perfect Sydney weather.

The race was won by Ben St Lawrence upsetting race favourite Micheal Shelley at the post to snatch Sydney's 14km City 2 Surf run in an official time of 41:05mins.

The first woman to cross was the line was Lara Tamsett, the favourite for the race, who completed the course in just under 47 minutes.

Olympic swimming champion Grant Hackett fired the starting gun at 8.30am AEST. Hackett then joined the race after climbing down from his cherry picker perch.

Seems news media was all over the event, from ABC, SBS, 7, 9, Ten, OneHD, Fox Sports, and Bondi's own Media Man.

A bit of an ambush marketing effort dominated Bondi Beach, reminiscent of the World Cup "Buxom Barvaria Beer Babes", but a sea of giant hand-like fingers waved in their air.

Team Media Man cheers on from the finish line at Bondi Beach, represented by Greg Tingle, Su Fenn and an "undercover operative" with attention grabbing giant hands / fingers in their hands sporting a Media Man mates' company logo - Messages On Hold. The commentator on the mix roared "Wave Your Hands In The Air", and the crowd followed to cue. A number of Malcolm Turnbull and Nova96.5 flyer's and promos were also spotted.

The finish has already been broadcast on a state, national and international scale, and yes, you can see the giant hands in some of the replays. Keep an eye out for Dave "Hughsy" Hughes, regular 7PM project personality and comedian, who slaps the giant hands. Superman and Jesus were also in the mix of celebrity runners.

A Media Man spokesperson advised "Any exposure generated from us and our Messages On Hold Mate, Kym Illman, will help fuel awareness of worthy causes and campaigns we assist including GenerationOne, The Salvation Army, beyondblue, The Rough Edges, The Exodus Foundation, and Sea Shepherd. Our business model often has the effect where the more exposure, online or offline, we muster, the more business and revenue comes in, thus allowing us to keep supporting worthy social causes."

Bondi Beach based mega entrepreneur, James Packer, may be out sailing the high seas abroad, but team Media Man was out in force celebrating and participating in Bondi's most famous annual happening.

Well done to everyone involved, be it racers, medical, media, volunteers, charity, police and so it goes on.

To participate or even to attend was to win. Certainly the Sydney and Bondi Beach economy won today, and of course its all good fodder for newspapers, magazines and newspapers.

See you all there again next year champions.

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Media Man Positive News And Quotes

2010-08-05T09:39:00.001+10:00

Richard Branson and 99% of world leaders agree: Business entrepreneurs should be encouraged and embraced

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win (Mahatma Gandhi)

Internet is like electricity (James Packer)

Big will not beat small any more. It will be the fast beating the slow (Rupert Murdoch)

In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed (Charles Darwin)

You never achieve success unless you like what you are doing (Dale Carnegie)

Eighty percent of success is showing up (Woody Allen)

I make a positive difference because I can (Greg Tingle)

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Sparrow Cafe Shortlisted For The Bondi Junction Business Awards - 2nd August 2010

2010-08-03T00:28:00.000+10:00

The sensational Sparrow Cafe of Bondi Beach has made the shortlist for The Bondi Junction Business Awards.

Owner and head barrister Pat Moritz, a French expat, has been operating at Bondi Beach, near the top of the hill in Gould Street for approximately one year and the cafe has developed a loyal following.

A Media Man staffer said "Sparrow Cafe has got to be one of the greatest cafes in Sydney, if not Australia. Word has spread like wildfire around Sydney, then interstate, and overseas. They even get postcards from overseas coming in. It's a combination of factors which see its success... the vibe, friendly staff, fantastic coffee and food, super fast internet wifi, beautiful decor and amazing value for money".

Sparrow Cafe is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm.

We highly recommend you come on over to experience world class coffee, service with a smile and a super relaxing and comfortable setting.

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GenerationOne Ideas Forum - Fox Studios, Sydney, Australia - 29th July 2010

2010-07-30T09:10:00.001+10:00

GenerationOne had its first Ideas Forum today on Indigenous employment that lasts. The key outcomes of the forum focused on job specific training fostered by industry and backed by governments. Jenny Brockie, from SBS TV’s Insight hosted a thought provoking forum with panelists Andrew Forrest (Founder of GenerationOne), Melinda Cilento (Business Council of Australia) Danny Lester (Aboriginal Employment Strategy), Leah Armstrong (Incoming CEO Reconciliation Australia) and Bruce McQualter (ANZ).

*Media Man founder and director, Greg Tingle, is a pro active campaigner and supporter of GenerationOne. Greg Tingle attended, pitched questions and conducted 1:1's after the forum

*Public thank you and well done to everyone involved in GenerationOne

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Australians Catch Paul The Octopus Fever, by Greg Tingle - 9th July 2010

2010-07-09T13:46:00.000+10:00

The Australian punting public and a number Aussie politicians and journalists have fallen in love with Paul The Octopus, and his curious mania and fever travels coast to coast, Paul's now the toast of the coast (but has managed to stay off the grill and out of boiler to date)... Media Man and Gambling911 spread their tentacles across the Atlantic, voyaging into the Pacific Ocean, reaching out to the golden sands of Bondi Beach, the Gold Coast and beyond.

It's official, Aussie's have been wrap up in Paul The Octopus Mania, with fevers been reported at hospitals across nationwide. The surgeon general advises the fever is only temporary and will relax one once the FIFA World Cup concludes, and a full recovery is forecast once the outcome of the upcoming Australian political election has been decided.

Journalists, politicians and internet entrepreneurs are understood to be in the bracket most susceptible to risk.

Millions of soccer nuts worldwide have taken the bait from the King Of All Octopuses and his management and will be watching when Paul The Octopus decides if he'll embraces his highly trained tentacles around a Spain's flag or that of the Netherlands.

The world's most famous sea creature and man of the moment is enjoying his stay at a German zoo, and hasn't put a foot wrong on soccer selections since the 2008 European final.

He will accurately predict the result of the World Cup final, but only if his workload has not exhausted him, a spokesman said.

The 8th wonder of the world, who shocked Germany by tipping the Spaniard's in the semi-final will today make his prediction for the 3rd place playoff between Germany and Uruguay.

Paul's handlers will follow the familiar and tried and tested routine...2 boxes will be lowered into his think tank, each containing a tasty selection of thinking octopus food and the flags of the two opposing teams.

Whichever box Paul opens is judged to be the winner of course.

Paul will then be offered boxes with Spanish and Dutch flags, the two teams in Sunday's showcase final for his consideration, but only if he is deemed not too tired to think drawing upon his out of this world powers.

"We do not want to overburden him," the spokesman said.

Punters would be at least $2538 AUD better off if they'd wagered $10 down at the conclusion and punted their winnings each time the octopus made his World Cup selection.

The switched on, gambling savvy animal has selected bait from boxes, representing Germany and its opponents, since the start of the South African spectacle.

Fans are convinced the uncanny cephalopod is much more intelligent than your average mollusk, bear, and may be as smart as a dolphin or whale.

Australian animal experts have been considering training up cattle dogs, sheep dogs and Labradors to see if they can achieved similar accuracy in picking winners to our friend Paul. The Australian Police Force, Customs and leading cattle stations have long enjoyed working side by side with animals, with most successes to date coming from K9's, man's best friend.

Aussie and Asia Pacific casino king, James Packer, also tuned into the ocean with one of his pads being located at Bondi Beach, is understood to have taken note of Paul's expertise. Mr Packer's Macau City Of Dreams and the Ho family connection, Melco - Crown and the like, have also taken note. The City Of Dreams has a US$250 million entertainment show 'The House of Dancing Water', and casino special attraction top brass are rumoured to be looking at ways to include Paul in their act, that is if business terms and creative juices flow. It all depends if Paul will put his tentacles on the bottom line, and if he can handle the extra workload.

Back to the soccer field, until the semi-final, Paul picked Germany's box before each match, except in the "group game" phase, when its Serbia's box caught his appetite. Serbia did win sports analysts advise.

When he went for a Spanish snack before yesterday AM s emi-final, it sent an curious sign to Germans.

CSIRO statistics man Geoff Robinson said the underwater gambling expert was a phenom.

"Odds are one chance in two to the power of six of guessing correctly - assuming that the octopus doesn't have psychic powers". And one in every 64 potential octopus substitutes would be expected to do this well. It isn't at all surprising. He is just lucky, and very photographic."

Melbourne Aquarium staffers advise octopuses are more savvy than you might think.

"They are one of the few animals that need interaction to stimulate them through the day," assistant curator Ali Edmunds said, "so we have lots of toys to keep them entertained. But ours can't place bets. They are very trainable and will do just about anything."

Swim back to Germany, disappointment at their 1-0 defeat to Spain turned to anger with some sections of the 350,000 sized crowd in Berlin insulting and even threatening both Paul and his mother.

To Media Man's outrage some fans have begun posting recipes on the internet, believing that Paul's reward for his clairvoyant powers should be a meeting with the boiler or BBQ, side by side with an Aussie shrimp on the barbie. Australian TV, movie (and BBQ tourism) legend Paul Hogan is remaining silent on the subject.

The Spanish Prime Minister has offered state protection for Paul as anger grows, but shrinks think he must be joking.

As earlier published by publishing powerhouse Gambling911...

"I am concerned for the octopus ... I am thinking of sending him a protective team," said Spanish Prime Minister Jose Zapatero on Radio Cadena Ser. His Environment and Fisheries Minister, Elena Espinosa, also suggested a moratorium on going after Paul. "On Monday, I shall be at the European Council of Ministers and I shall be asking for a (fishing) ban on Paul the octopus so the Germans do not eat him!"

German journalists are understood to have had sudden cravings for seafood, with squid being their favored item off the menu. One sports mad German journo said after the semi-final that he had "a sudden desire to eat a bit of squid".

Word of this swam to to Spanish fans and even ahead of the match Spanish Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian called for the creature to be given an "immediate" free transfer to Spain to "ensure his protection".

Political Update Thanks To Paul...

Australian Prime Minister, the smart, humble and most sexy Julia Gillard, will win the next election however Labor will 8 seats, the Aussie punters predict at this time. Rumours circulating around Bondi Beach tip that Paul The Octopus also agrees.

The Federal Government's chances, stocks and image, so it seems, have improved quite a bit since Labor boned (thanks Eddie McGuire) Kevin "Bloody" Rudd last month in favour of his former deputy Ms Gillard (speculation reigns for how long she will remain a Ms... marriage this year?)

Aussie betting - gaming giant Centrebet (Betfair - James Packer 50% owned is the competitor) still expects the Government to lose 8 seats at the upcoming election however still enough to form a 10-seat majority. That's 10 (think of Julia as the Bo Derek of Aussie politics hey baby).

Twitter - For Twits Or Smart Operators?...

Oh, did we mention... Julia Gillard recently joined the social networking craze with her Twitter account

http://twitter.com/JuliaGillard

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The Late News

Just in punters, Paul is rumoured to be swimming down to Bondi Beach to meet and greet the Bondi Beach Chamber of Commerce within the coming month. The rumour mill says Paul wants a friendly word in the ear of Malcolm "No Bull" Turnbull, former Leader of the Liberal Party. Malcolm "No Bull" Turnbull is a nature lover with at least 4 dogs and is a pro active member of the local surf club. We'll be quizzing Mal on whether he eats Octopus or not, and will be reporting back the findings. Current Liberal leader Tony Abbott will not be attending the upcoming function, but is a keen ocean swimmer, but hasn't spotted Paul in his swimming routes to date.

Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club and Network Ten's Bondi Rescue remain on high alert.

*The writer is a special contributor for Gambling911

*Media Man is primarily a media, publicity and internet portal development company. Gaming is just one of a bakers dozen of sectors they cover. They also offer political analysis and commentary.

*No animals or sea creatures were harmed in the research of this report

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2010-06-26T16:02:00.001+10:00

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Slater says Aussie beaches world's best - 13th March 2010

2010-03-14T20:42:00.001+11:00

Surfing great Kelly Slater says Australia has the best beaches in the world and he wants to know why Prime Minister Kevin Rudd isn't using them.

The nine-time world champion was at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Saturday to announce a new initiative which recognises significant beaches around the globe.

One iconic Australian beach, which has not yet been named, will be among the first to be declared a world `surfing reserve'.

The sites were chosen from 150 beaches nominated by 34 countries, and also include Waikiki in Hawaii and Malibu in California.

Beaches in Western Australia, Queensland and NSW are all in the running, and Mr Rudd has been invited to make the declaration in October.

While explaining the benefits of the scheme, Slater threw down a challenge to the Prime Minister after raving about Australia's offerings.

"What sort of surf board is (he) riding? Rudd, where are you, come on?" Slater said.

"And Peter Garrett, we gotta get that guy in the water too - he is supposed to be a keen body surfer."

Slater is one of many elite surfers supporting the World Surfing Reserves organisation, modelled from an Australian version which successfully lobbied for the legal protection of beaches deemed as significant surfing spots.

Thanks to the efforts of Australia's National Surfing Reserves (NSR), seven beaches in NSW have been given the declaration designed to preserve beaches for generations to come under the Crown Lands Act.

NSR chairman Brad Farmer said the concept was so successful it's now being replicated in California, Scotland and Hawaii.

"It's the first time in history surfing has been recognised in law, so it's really extraordinary," Mr Farmer told AAP.

"Now the legislation is being used around the world, so it's going world-wide in a very short time.

Slater said Australia was well deserving of international recognition.

"I love the beaches in Australia," he told AAP.

"It really has all the variety of cold to warm, sand to reef and point breaks to beach breaks so you really have more variety in Australia than probably anywhere."

Bondi Beach News Media: Rain Clearing

2010-02-08T15:55:00.000+11:00

Rain is finally clearing at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

Bondi News Media - Rain Again At Bondi Beach

2010-02-05T15:07:00.001+11:00

Bondi Beach sees rain again today

Bondi Beach News Media: Happy Australia Day

2010-01-26T19:42:00.002+11:00

Happy Australia Day from Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia.

Media Man is pleased to report that there were no major incidents and "The Boys In Blue" (the police) were out in force, many on horseback (mounted police).

Australian law enforcement agencies have been on guard following a number of deaths and bashings of foreigners, many of which are said to be race related.

Arrests were made at a number of Sydney beaches today including Coogee and Manly, but none at Bondi Beach were reported.

Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi.

Bondi Beach: The World’s Longest Outdoor Bookcase on Bondi Beach - 31st January

2010-01-07T14:55:00.002+11:00

IKEA’s BILLY on the Beach

The world’s longest outdoor bookcase

Monday 14th December 2009

To mark the 30th birthday of BILLY, the world’s most versatile bookcase, IKEA is creating the world’s longest outdoor bookcase on Bondi beach, on Sunday 31 January 2010 from 6am – 6pm.

For one day only, Bondi beach will be transformed with 30 BILLY bookcases snaking their way along the sand, featuring 1000’s of books to choose from.

To take a book, people are invited to swap one of their books for a book from BILLY’s shelves OR make a gold coin donation, with all donations going to The Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation.

With books for all ages and tastes available, there’s something for everyone to read on the beach this summer. So get your swimmers ready, slop on the sun cream and hit Bondi for some BILLY on the beach action!

Everyone who participates receives a voucher for $30 off a limited edition BILLY JADER bookcase.

What: The world’s longest outdoor bookcase
Why: Everyone needs a good book to read on the beach
Who: Suitable for all ages
Price: A book OR a gold coin donation with all proceeds of gold coin donations going to The Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation.
Where: Bondi beach, Sydney
When: Sunday 31 January 2010 6am – 6pm
Website: www.ikea.com.au www.alnf.org

For further information please contact Greg Vekiarellis or Lizzie Culverhouse at One Green Bean

P: 02 8020 1800 greg@onegreenbean.com.au or lizzie@onegreenbean.com.au

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Bondi Beach: Rain at last! - 18th December 2009

2009-12-18T08:44:00.000+11:00

After what seems like over two months, Bondi Beach finally gets rain.

Bondi Beach had been experiencing exceptional beach weather since October and many locals will welcome in this spot of rain which started this morning at approximately 7.30am.

Australia's most famous suburb has tons of great activities on offer, so locals and visitors to the region should fear not.

The spot of rain might also offer some relief for the hard working guys at the Bondi surf clubs, many of which are of course featured on Bondi Rescue.

Rain usually doesn't hang around at Bondi Beach for longer than a few days, so enjoy it while it lasts.

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Sydney Roosters considering changing their name to Bondi Roosters

2009-11-30T12:04:00.000+11:00

The Sydney Roosters are considering a name change.

The news comes after an extremely challengingly season for the roosters. Players, management and supporter are looking for ideas and solutions.

"I think if we do anything it would be to call ourselves the Bondi Roosters," Nick Politis said.

"Bondi Roosters is a strong marketing name. Bondi is well known around the world.

"John Singleton (advertising guru) once said to me we've got to be called the Bondi Roosters."

Last week Hulk Hogan's Hulkamania added some bite to the Roosters with the birth of Rooster-Mania, and The Roosters are looking to add even more muscle to their campaign to help launch a comeback that would do Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) proud.

News Limited has been interviewing a number of Roosters players, management and fans.

Former Roosters greats Bryan Fletcher and Royce Ayliffe last night backed the name change.

"The more I think about it, the more I like it," Fletcher said. "I grew up in Bondi so I would love it.

"The postcode at Bondi is 2026. They are selling shirts down the beach with that postcode on it.

"Tourists love those Bondi shirts so you could sell Bondi Roosters shirts to the tourists."

Ayliffe, 1980 Grand Final captain liked the proposed name change.

"Bondi is known around the world. It is a terrific idea. There are a few teams known as the Roosters.

But the Bondi Roosters ... you know exactly who they are."

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Bondi Beach celeb watch

2009-11-27T12:46:00.000+11:00

Watching out for Hulk Hogan, Paris Hilton, Richard Branson, Gene Simmons, and any other cleb that might show up.

Hulk Hogan remains the celeb most likely to show in the near future.

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Bondi Beach weather - 21st November 2009

2009-11-21T17:00:00.000+11:00

Another great beach day.

Remember the slip, slop and slap.

Top tempature in Sydney today: 29% approx

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Hulk Hogan pro wrestling legend gets Roostermania - 18th November 2009

2009-11-18T19:51:00.000+11:00

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 18

Wrestler Hulk Hogan is presented with a Roostermania Member banner by Braith Anasta of the Roosters during a media opportunity with Sydney Roosters players at Roosters Headquarters on November 18, 2009 in Sydney, Australia.

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Bondi kicks off Skin Cancer Action Week - 15th November 2009

2009-11-15T12:34:00.000+11:00

A mock crime scene was set up at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday to warn of the dangers of tanning.

Sunbathers at the iconic beach were greeted by 1,700 beach towels arranged on the sand, each emblazoned with a chalk outline.

The Cancer Council says every towel represents one of the 1,700 Australians who die of skin cancer every year.

A survey from the council suggests that 43 per cent of teenagers believe a tan looks healthy while one in four get burnt on a typical weekend in summer.

Seventy-one per cent of survey respondents said their friends thought "a suntan was a good thing".

More than a third of young people don't wear sunscreen in the hottest part of the day, the survey found.

A television advertising campaign will begin this week, aimed at changing the attitudes of young people.

Cancer Council CEO Ian Olver said radical measures were needed to warn of the risks of melanoma.

"More needs to be done to educate younger Australians about the dangers of getting sunburnt," Professor Olver said.

"We hope this campaign will help get the message to sink in that a tan just isn't worth the risk."

Melanoma is the second most common cancer in 15-19 year olds, and the most common cancer in people aged 20-29, the council's figures show.

Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70.

Skin Cancer Action Week runs from November 15 to 21. (Credit: Fairfax, Wires, Google News, AAP)

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Dave Rastovich and crew, Surfers for Cetaceans, Sea Shepherd, eco warriors and community unite - 5th November 2009

2009-11-05T12:44:00.000+11:00

David Rastovich and crew, Surfers for Cetaceans, Sea Shepherd, eco warriors and community unite - 5th November 2009

Media Man was on hand this morning to witness the exciting and historic arrival of team Transparent Sea Voyage: Dave Rastovich and Surfers for Cetaceans, who have paddled down the NSW coast on a 700km journey.

Rastovich, world class surfer and famed environmentalist, was joined on the epic adventure by JJ (photographer), Hilton Doar and Chris Del Moro (surfer and artist).

A swag of fans, supporters and media was present to welcome the team, despite the overcast weather.

Doar encouraged concerned citizens to write to local members of Parliament, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and environmental minister, Peter Carrett.

Doar said "It was amazing to share the journey with like minded people. We're all inter connected. Australian people love the whales and dolphins. The Australian Government needs to send ships and help. Sea Shepherd is keeping the pressure one as whaling and fishing vessels are frequently Australian waters illegally. People need to help".

Further news reports on Channel Nine, Network Ten and others tonight.

Statistics

700 km paddle by Dave Rastovich

Rastovich touched in at Bondi Beach shore 11.15am

36 day journey

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*Media Man Australia is a supporter of Sea Shepherd and numerous environmental causes

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Bondi Beach Celebrity Profiles Updated

2009-10-27T10:39:00.000+11:00

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Paris Hilton

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Richard Branson

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Peter Carrette

Zoe Naylor

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Drive-by shooting at Bondi Beach - 27th October 2009

2009-10-27T09:10:00.000+11:00

Sydney police are looking for two high-performance vehicles that sped off after a drive-by shooting at Bondi Beach.

Police say a number of shots were fired into a park at the northern end of Bondi Beach about 10.30pm yesteday.

No one was injured during the incident but witnesses told police a dark-coloured BMW and a Subaru WRX were seen speeding from the scene.

Detectives established a crime scene and are continuing with their inquiries into the incident.

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Boost SurfSho at Bondi Beach in March 2010 - Big Air!

2009-10-25T12:33:00.000+11:00

Bondi Beach in March 2010

Sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals

Kelly Slater, Australian big-air specialists Taj Burrow and Owen Wright, and more

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Bondi Beach 40 knot winds today - 8th October 2009

2009-10-08T11:29:00.002+11:00

Bondi Beach and much of coastal New South Wales is experiencing 40 knot winds today.

Weather report follows from Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology - New South Wales

Coastal Waters Wind Warning
For all NSW coastal waters and for Sydney Closed Waters
Issued at 10:20 am EDT on Thursday 8 October 2009

Synoptic situation
A complex Low pressure system over the western Tasman Sea brings vigorous southerly airstream along NSW coast.

Gale Warning
For the Mid North coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, from Ulladulla to Smoky Cape

S winds 30/40 knots reaching 40/45 knots offshore. Seas 3 to 5 metres. Swell increasing to 2 to 3 metres, breaking dangerously close inshore for Hunter Coast.

Gale Warning
For the Far North Coast, Mid North Coast, From Smoky Cape to Point Danger

S/SW winds increasing to 25/33 knots from south during Thursday afternoon and reaching 34/40 knots offshore. Seas rising to 2 to 3 metres inshore and 3 to 4 metres offshore. Swell 1.5 to 2 metres.

Gale Warning
For the South Coast, from Ulladulla to Gabo Island

S winds 34/45 knots easing to 25/33 knots in the next 3 to 6 hours. Seas 3 to 5 metres. Swell increasing to 2 to 3 metres.

Gale Warning
For Sydney Closed Waters, For Pittwater to Port Jackson and Botany Bay

S/SW wind reaching 34/40 knots during Thursday morning and afternoon. Waters rough to very rough.

The next warning will be issued by 05 pm Thursday

Please be aware
Wind gusts can be a further 40 percent stronger than the averages given here, and maximum waves may be up to twice the height. (Credit: Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology)

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Hulk Hogan to check out Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

2009-09-27T11:41:00.001+10:00

Word on the street in Australia is that The Hulkster, Hulk Hogan, is keen to spend more time in Australia, and take a look at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

Hogan fans will be aware of his past strong connection with Venice Beach, California.

If the Hulk is fair dinkum about Australia, Bondi Beach is a must visit destination.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph has been tipped off that Hogan and his wrestling mates may like to check out Bondi Beach's outdoor gym, and that it may suit Hogan's single status these days.

Other famous folks that have recently checked out include, but are not limited to Paris Hilton, Pam Anderson and Richard Branson, and we know that quite a few frequently come down unannounced, such is the appeal of Bondi Beach.

It seems Australia's news media and general public can't get enough of Hogan, and Hogan has really taken to the land down under.

Hulk Hogan's Hulkamania Let The Battle Begin wrestling tour of Australia starts on 21st November 2009.

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Red Dust Covers Bondi Beach and most of Sydney, beyond

2009-09-23T11:26:00.002+10:00

Stephen Spielberg should be filming at Bondi Beach this morning. The sky is lit up like something from War Of The Worlds and Armageddon.

Websites

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CoastalWatch.com Bondi Beach

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Festival of the Winds, Bondi Beach, Sydney today

2009-09-13T11:40:00.002+10:00

Festival of the Winds is the largest annual kite festival in Australia and is celebrating its 31st anniversary.

It is running from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 13th September at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia.

Websites

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Runners limber up for City2Surf event - 9th August 2009

2009-08-09T05:04:00.002+10:00

Up to 75,000 runners will be limbering up for Sydney's 39th City2Surf race this morning.

Heather Turland, who won the event in 1994 and 1996, is putting in a star appearance almost a decade after retiring from competitive running.

She will be joined by her 21-year-old son Cade.

Other high-calibre runners include Andrew Lloyd, winner of the City2Surf in 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1993.

Queenslander Michael Shelly, who finished just 13 seconds behind Martin Dent last year, is determined to crack the 2008 winner's 41:07 this time round.

While former world champion marathon man Robert de Castella will not be joining in, his humble brother-in-law Anthony Walsh, 49, will.

Describing himself as "not a particularly competitive runner", Mr Walsh, who lives in Melbourne, has no intention of emulating de Castella's 1981 City2Surf-winning time of 45.47.

"I'm expecting to do about 65 minutes," he said.

The Ambulance Service of NSW says runners should wear sensible clothing and footwear for the race, including a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Dehydration can be avoided by drinking plenty of water.

Symptoms such as chest pain or severe shortness of breath should not be ignored – if they occur, entrants should stop and seek medical attention.

Anyone with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, chills, a sore throat or cough, should not enter the race.

The RTA advises runners to leave their cars at home. Roads will be closed in the Sydney CBD, Darlinghurst, Kings Cross, Edgecliff, Bellevue Hill, Rose Bay, Double Bay, Vaucluse and Bondi.

The Eastern Distributor northbound off-ramp to William Street and southbound off-ramp to Palmer Street will also be closed.

The Cross City Tunnel will be closed to eastbound traffic between Harbour Street and Bayswater Road, but will remain open to westbound motorists during the event.

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Indigo Packer celebrates her first birthday - News Limited - 28th July 2009

2009-07-30T11:25:00.000+10:00

She may be a billionaire baby but it seems little Indigo Packer, who turned one yesterday, delights in the same simple pleasures as any tot.

Yesterday, the only daughter of casino tycoon James Packer and his model wife Erica received a stream of presents delivered to the family's penthouse apartment at Sydney's Bondi Beach.

While the birthday girl kept a low profile, her father popped out in his new set of wheels, an expensive white Bentley, only to discover on arriving home that many of his pals had been showering his daughter with gifts.

Even the dog walker, who turned up for the family's retriever, had a gift.

It's amazing how many friends will line up to pay their respects when daddy's a billionaire.

Missing from the parade of well wishers was Katie Holmes, wife of Packer's great mate Tom Cruise.

Holmes was on the Mt Macedon set of her film Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, shooting scenes with her co-star Guy Pearce.

Cruise is yet to return to Melbourne from the US.

It remains to be seen whether Holmes and her daughter Suri, 3, will catch up with the Packers on Sunday when she has a break. No doubt, though, a sizeable gift has been despatched.

Holmes is, after all, staying at Packer's palatial penthouse at Crown while in Melbourne. (Credit: News Limited)

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Ravesi’s awarded National AHA “2009 Best Bar Presentation and Service (Metro)”

2009-07-24T11:13:00.001+10:00

23rd July 2009

A year after their win for Hotel Bar of the Year in 2008, A-List Party Playground Ravesi’s has won Best Bar Presentation and Service (Metro) in 2009, by the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) – at the National Awards for Excellence held Friday night, 17 July 2009.

Won jointly with The Langham, Aria Bar and Lounge in Melbourne, Ravesi’s is located at the heart of Sydney’s most alluring stretch of sand; home to Bondi’s beautiful people, fresh from the surf locals, and curious guests from across Australia and the world. Fusing together Sydney’s most famous beachside bar with stylish accommodation, casually elegant dining, and glamorous nightlife; in a seductively Sydney combination unique to Bondi’s hottest Hotel.

Ravesi’s General Manager Troy Graham, a local Bondi boy from way back, is thrilled with the win. “It’s fantastic to be recognised by the industry for the second time - especially in a national capacity.”

“Ravesi’s iconic beachside elegance and our management and staff’s attention to every detail makes Ravesi’s the perfect place to enjoy Sydney’s most incredible beachside views; backed of course, by a brilliant team of top-line hospitality professionals dedicated to the very best in service and standards. Ravesi’s has been committed to ensuring guests enjoy the very best Sydney has to offer.” he says.

A delight in any season, Ravesi’s offers an alluring winter respite, with deliciously cosy wines to warm, world-class cocktails and premium spirits. From glorious summer days to glittering and glamorous winter nights Ravesi’s casually elegant surrounds combine Bondi’s beachside cool with Sydney’s shimmering nights. A place where Bondi’s locals, A-listers, and celebrities can and do play on; Ravesi’s is at the center of Bondi’s alluring life, from day and well into the night.

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2009-07-19T12:18:00.002+10:00

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Re-creation of Bondi Beach in London to promote Australia, by Charles Miranda - Daily Telegraph - 25th June 2009

2009-06-25T13:08:00.002+10:00

It's a campaign meant to show there's more to Australia than just "soaps, sport and sun" - but just what, it seems, the organisers weren't too sure.

So bleary-eyed Londoners woke to a re-creation of Bondi Beach on the banks of the Thames yesterday, complete with lifesavers and sunbathers.

Whether anyone would dare to take the plunge, however, wasn't clear.

State governments and the Federal Government's Austrade yesterday began their expensive campaign to convince Britain to invest more in Australia and rediscover its industries, technology and tourism.

So 80 tonnes of sand was trucked in from Kent, in England's southeast, to bring "a little bit of Down Under" to the British Isles.

To top off the cliche, cast members from the musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert were dropped in as props as well as token lifeguards, deck chairs and surfboards.

No one wants to say how much taxpayers have had to spend on the one-week celebration of all things Australian, which also includes food and wine tasting and a summit of leading Australian and British CEOs.

But G'day UK chairman Phil Aiken said the benefits would be significant. (Credit: The Daily Telegraph)

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Media Man Australia Director Joins and Presents at Bondi Chamber of Commerce

2009-06-16T12:15:00.002+10:00

Today Media Man Australia director and founder, Greg Tingle, joined and presented at the Bondi Chamber of Commerce monthly event held at Easts Leagues Club.

Following the feature presentation by Matt Freedman (founder and director of Sticky Tickets and Redback Solutions), Adam Treharne from the chamber board spoke about business and the benefits of the Bondi Chamber of Commerce.

Sandra Lie from Infusion Networking moderated prize give aways from members to members!

Sonja van den Boshe from TwinLife was the lucky winner of the Media Man Australia publicity package including interview and profile.

It was a most worthwhile, interesting and positive occasion, and attendees learned and shared their knowledge on matters such as Emarketing, the internet, and couldn't help but to pick up some solid information about the how news media and publicity compliment the marketing components of business.

In the coming weeks and months the Bondi Chamber of Commerce will be facilitating more networking events and feature the matching up of business owners and operators in a strategic fashion which will set the stage for win - win outcomes for all.

Mr Freedman will be participating in the CEO Sleepout at Luna Park on the 18th June. The event is organised by St Vincent de Paul Society. Matt's efforts are well worth supporting, as are that of the numerous CEO's who will be participating.

Easts Leagues Club staff and management were most friendly and helpful, and the coffee and breakfasts were top notch.

If your a business person in the Bondi region the Bondi Chamber of Commerce is a fantastic place to network with fellow entrepreneurs.

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2009-06-15T20:02:00.002+10:00

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Sydney shark victim's brave return to Bondi beach, by David Barrett - Herald Sun - 13th May 2009

2009-05-17T12:19:00.002+10:00

Just three months ago, Able Seaman Paul de Gelder lay in hospital fighting for his life.

His right hand had been torn off by a bull shark, and within days surgeons amputated his lower right leg.

He'd stared "eye-to-eye" with the monster shark, and cheated death.

Paddling through the waves at Sydney's North Bondi beach Tuesday, Mr de Gelder, 32, was a man determined to recover and live his life.

A keen surfer, he hit the waves with two mates for the first time since the shark attack in Sydney Harbour on February 11.

Emerging from the surf, he told the Herald Sun he felt good being back in the water.

"Mate, I've been falling off my surfboard," he said. "It was my first time back out there."

Mr de Gelder spent about 15 minutes lying on his board, swimming and catching waves. On the beach he did some push-ups and stood gazing out at the water.

"Surfing was a big part of my life before the attack," he said. "So I really wanted to get back out there again.

"I'm a beach boy now."

Mr de Gelder served in East Timor as a peacekeeper and spent four years as an army paratrooper.

He was mauled while testing the navy's counter-terrorism equipment off the RAN base at Garden Island.

In a TV interview on Sunday, Mr de Gelder said he stared "eye-to-eye" with the shark that attacked him.

"You don't even feel the teeth go in. I think the adrenaline, the panic, probably puts a numb on the pain and you don't feel it," he said.

Mr de Gelder said he was very happy to be back in the water: "It's . . . where I feel most comfortable of all, even with these big sharks around."

Mr de Gelder hopes to one day return to work as a navy clearance diver.

"It's gonna be a tough bridge to cross but you can't show weakness," he said.

"Not in my job."

Asked if he was planning more surfing, he said: "I'll be back for sure." (Credit: Herald Sun)

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Lara checks out her Bondi pad - News.com.au - 3rd April 2009

2009-04-04T13:44:00.002+11:00

It looks like Lara Bingle is one step closer to being a Bondi babe after being spotted checking out her and fiance Michael Clarke's new beachside home this week.

Looking casual in a way that only the beautiful Bingle can - dressed in thigh-high leather boots and a little black dress - she was spotted checking out the pad with another blonde, believed to be a lawyer involved in the property transaction.

The Shire girl is said to be jumping at the opportunity to move into the three-bedroom, two bathroom, sub-penthouse in the Cadigal, overlooking the famous beach in the heart of the fashionable suburb.

The purchase of the property, which is rumoured to have come with a $6 million price tag, has bypassed real estate agents with Clark buying the property from good mate and celebrity accountant Anthony Bell.

With Bell moving on this month to his new penthouse property in the Bondi, further along the beachfront, it is expected Bingle and Clark will soon move in and become permanent fixtures in the celebrity-laden area.

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Lights out? Let's party, everybody, by Jennie Curtin - The Sydney Morning Herald - 28th March 2009

2009-03-28T17:32:00.001+11:00

As Sydney's ferries sound their horns at 8.30 tonight, they will trigger the start of many activities for Earth Hour.

At the Table Bar on the lower ground floor of the old GPO in Martin Place, the desperate and dateless will begin speed dating by candlelight.

At Sydney Observatory, amateur astronomers will look into a rare Sydney darkness.

And at Circular Quay, treasure hunters will begin to make sense of environmental clues.

Cockatoo Island is fully booked for 280 people to camp by candlelight. And at Taronga Zoo, the Environment Institute of Australia will host a green-tie ball.

A beach party at Avalon will begin an hour earlier, at 7.30pm, with fire-twirling and live music pumped through solar-powered amps. It will follow an eco-living expo, from 3pm to 6pm, at the Avalon Surf Life Saving Club.

At Bondi Beach, Kid Mac, an Earth Hour spokesman, will perform in a concert that also marks National Youth Week.

Mosmanites - notorious for having one of the largest carbon footprints in the world - can take food and candles to the Rotunda at Balmoral Beach and picnic to the tunes of a string quartet.

At Manly there will be music and scuba diving, a sausage sizzle and free candles.

Many local councils have arranged events. Among them, Willoughby will host a free evening of drumming, fire twirling and music at Naremburn Park, on the corner of Park Road and Station Street, from 5pm to 9.30pm. There will be recycling workshops, renewable energy information and sustainable living demonstrations. Jane Caro from The Gruen Transfer will be MC.

At Carss Bush Park, in the Kogarah Council area, people can watch an Aboriginal Dreaming story told through dance, didjeridoos and clapsticks. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)

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Beach Stunt - The Bondi View - March 2009

2009-03-12T12:57:00.001+11:00

Bondi Beach local Greg Tingle and aviator Paul Bennet made a gutsy attempt to block out the sun at Bondi Beach last Saturday when Bennet took his Pitt's Special to the air, plastered in Aquasun signage, and circled Bondi Beach. Clouds lessened the effect but the stunt was incident free, and no sharks were spotted. Bennet is the Australian advanced aerobatic reigning champion and is now working on an air stunt for the world famous Crusty Demons.

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Ravesi's launch hot new function space at Bondi SLSC, Bondi Beach - 5th March 2009

2009-03-06T12:35:00.002+11:00

In an exciting new partnership that teams two Bondi institutions, iconic Ravesi’s and the internationally renowned Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club, join forces to offer a very special catering and venue option in 2009.

Ravesi’s General Manager Troy Graham says, “We’re excited about this new collaboration. Within Ravesi’s we offer the restaurant and Drift as function venues and our new catering agreement with Bondi SLSC gives us even further variety and a fresh new space to work within. The newly renovated Scenic Lounge above the surfclub has a more casual ambiance and its position right on Bondi Beach offers spectacular views and one of the best locations in Sydney.”

“Our close neighbour Ravesi’s were the obvious choice to manage the Scenic Lounge and catering. They have a fantastic food reputation and we share the same vision for the Scenic Lounge,” says Rod Harvey, President Bondi SLSC.

Long renowned as one of Sydney’s ultimate beachside dining destinations, Ravesi’s has a range of venue and tailored function packages available to cater for all tastes and occasions - from weddings to corporate functions, birthday parties, christenings and more.

The glamour and sophistication of Drift Nightclub and the stunningly elegant Ravesi’s restaurant on the bustling Campbell Parade strip compliment the casual but stylish Scenic Lounge right on the sands of Bondi Beach.

The stunning venue options, all offering a quintessential Bondi experience with breathtaking coastal views, are accentuated by the luxurious cuisine and specially tailored catering menus of Executive Chef Darren Elmes.

Elmes’ catering selections – which can be specially designed to fit event and function requirements - blend a sexy mix of Australasian flavours with influences from Latin America and the Mediterranean.

Bondi SLSC catering menus range from Barbeque canapés and grill selections to a Seafood Barbeque menu and Buffet with carving station options all accompanied by a variety of salads and desserts as well as tailored drinks packages served from the Scenic Lounge bar.

With views and location the main attraction, the Scenic Lounge at the Bondi SLSC also features a full catering kitchen, AV facilities including a ceiling mounted projector and screen, several large sized outdoor balconies and a large indoor function space for sit-down and cocktail events. Extensive parking is on offer in the surrounding beachside carpark and the hire fee is only $1,550 which includes cleaning and security.

Further menus and offerings are available for Ravesi’s Restaurant (including ala carte dining) and Drift Nightclub with cocktails and tapas as well as sit down dining.

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Surfers spooked by shark sighting at Bondi, by Georgina Robinson - The Sydney Morning Herald - 4th March 2009

2009-03-05T17:46:00.000+11:00

Eight people were forced to abandon their after-work surf at Bondi Beach yesterday after a two-metre shark swam under them.

Real-estate agent Karl Timms said he was in the water off Bondi about 7.30pm in a group of about eight surfers when he spotted a dark shape.

"I thought what I saw was a piece of seaweed but when I could actually see what it was ... and I looked out to another guy and said, 'Did you see what I saw' and he said, 'Yeah I saw it too,' " said Mr Timms, a surfer with 40 years' experience.

"It looked like it was very wide, very pointed, so I would say it was probably around the seven-foot [2.1-metre] mark.

"So it wasn't too big but seven foot is also too big, you know."

He said he asked another surfer, who also confirmed the sighting. They told the others and quickly made their way in to shore.

"There wasn't mass hysteria, there was a lot of tourists ... they were probably more excited and elated more than anything else that something like that was out there," Mr Timms said.

He did not surf this morning and would not go out tonight, he said.

"But only because the swell's dropped off. There's next to nothing," he said.

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Publicity stunt at Bondi Beach blocks out the sun...almost

2009-03-01T18:11:00.003+11:00

Bondi Beach media and marketing entrepreneur, Greg Tingle, and long time Media Man friend and associate, aviator, Paul Bennet, made a gutsy attempt to block out the Sun at Bondi Beach this past Saturday morning.

Bennet took his Pitt's Special to the air, plastered in Aqausun signage, and circled Bondi Beach at least half a dozen times to show beachgoers the reverse side of his wings which featured Aquasun, the iconic Australian sunscreen.

Due to strong and extremely thick cloud formations the visual effect was not quite as stunning as what Bennet, Tingle and Aquasun had hoped for, but the message cut through none the less.

The Bondi View can report that the Bondi Beach stunt was incident free, and no sharks or white pointers were spotted on Saturday.

Bennet is the Australian Advanced Aerobatic reigning champion and is currently putting together an air stunt component for the world famous Crusty Demons.

On the stunt Bennet advised, "These sort of performances are always tricky. We can control and influence many things, but not the appearance of clouds. It was an enjoyable and safe display and everyone was happy with the ultimate result".

Bennet's manager, Tingle joked, "Well, at least it didn't rain and thank God Malcolm Turnbull wasn't able to accept our invitation to this one. The cloud incident was embarrassing enough. We don't think anyone got sunburned for the first half of the day, and we're grateful The View was able to cover it anyway due to our unusual attempt to help raise sun protection awareness. The tourists seemed to enjoy the show, but I'm only half sure about the locals. We handed out hundreds of free sunscreen packs so that's only a good thing".

*photos

Bennet's Pitt's Special shows us its wings

Agent, Greg Tingle, and the Aquasun beach babes crew

Publicity stunt today at Bondi Beach

2009-02-28T05:29:00.001+11:00

Publicity stunt today at Bondi Beach.

Approx 9.30am

More details to follow.

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Great white attacked Bondi surfer - 23rd February 2009

2009-02-28T05:28:00.001+11:00

A 2.5-metre great white shark was responsible for the attack on a surfer at Bondi Beach.

Government scientists confirmed a great white was involved after studying photos 33-year-old surfer Glenn Orgias' wounds, NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said.

"I can confirm a 2.5m great white shark was involved in the attack on the evening of Thursday, February 12 at Bondi,'' Mr Macdonald said.

Mr Orgias' hand was almost severed in the attack, which came a day after a bull shark in Sydney Harbour mauled navy diver Paul de Gelder, who has since lost his hand and leg.

Mr Macdonald said Bondi Beach was netted at the time of the attack, but added the nets were designed to break up habitat rather than prevent sharks from entering beach areas.

"Sharks of the size that was involved in the attack on the Bondi surfer are starting to change their diet from being primarily fish-based to feeding on marine mammals such as seals and dolphins,'' he said.

"Note that in almost all cases, great whites tend to release the person after biting - probably as they don't recognise the taste.''

Mr Macdonald said 21 great white sharks had been caught in nets off south Sydney since 1990.

"Two great white sharks of about 2 metres have previously been caught off Bondi, one in December 2005 and one in November 2008,'' he said.

Before the shark meshing program began in 1937, there were 24 fatalities in Sydney waters alone between 1900 and 1937.

"Of the ocean beaches at that time, Bondi had the highest number of attacks in the Sydney region with six, then Coogee and Maroubra both with five each,'' he said.

The risk of shark attack can be lessened by not swimming at dawn or dusk, avoiding waters with known effluents or sewage and areas that are used by recreational or commercial fishers, as well as not swimming in areas with signs of baitfish or fish feeding activity.

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Bondi Beach closed after second Sydney shark attack, by Evelyn Yamine and Steve Gee - The Daily Telegraph 13th February 2009

2009-02-13T12:57:00.002+11:00

Bondi Beach is closed this morning after a bloody shark attack there last night - the second such incident in Sydney in two days.

The 33-year-old surfer - known, it is believed, as Glenn - was still undergoing emergency surgery early today after his hand was partially severed.

Do you know Glenn or were you there? Call us in confidence on 02 9288 3413

He was surfing off the southern end of the beach when he was grabbed on the left arm by a shark in murky waters about 7.30pm.

It followed Wednesday's savage Sydney Harbour attack on navy diver Paul de Gelders, who lost a hand - now doctors fear he may also lose a leg.

As the Bondi surfer struggled with the predator about 50m from the shore, he screamed for help, shouting "shark" to warn others in the water.

Lifeguards believe the man was attacked by what they suspect was a "bronze whaler about 2m long".

The victim was in a serious condition in St Vincent's Hospital early today and it was not known if his hand could be saved.

Meanwhile three surfers were in the water at Bondi this morning - although they were soon ordered out.

"It was a bit of a shock to hear about the attack," said one. "But people won't stay out of the water for long."

Witness Sebastien Le Bail told The Daily Telegraph he and his friend Mikael Thomas heard the scream as they were surfing about 20m away.

The injured man was helped back to the shore by bodyboarders and off-duty doctors, and other surfers helped stem the bleeding until paramedics arrived on scene.

"We heard a guy scream out 'shark, shark'," Mr Le Bail, a French tourist, said.

"We just got out of the water and we ran to the guy and his hand was hanging off, and he had a big cut on his arm,".

Mr Le Bail and Mr Thomas helped tie the leash of a surf board around his arm and packed ice on the wound. Mr Le Bail said the man - who lives in Dover Heights and is believed to be named Glen - was conscious and aware of his severe injuries but was losing a lot of blood.

"It was chaos. We carried him to the street and we got ice and towels and we just kept talking to him and kept telling him he was going to be fine," Mr Le Bail, 21, said.

"When I first saw his hand I had to turn my head and look away. It was very bad."

Mr Thomas, also 21, said the victim looked like he had been "cut with a big knife".

"He was very, very shocked but he was very brave and he was trying to keep his mind from going to sleep," he said.

An ambulance service spokeswoman said the man's arm was partially severed. Police said the victim and the other surfers in the water did not see the shark so could not confirm the breed.

This is the second shark attack in Sydney this week. Navy diver Able Seaman Paul de Gelder lost his hand after he was savaged at Woolloomooloo on Wednesday.

Last night was believed to be the first shark attack at Bondi Beach since February 8, 1929. (Credit: The Daily Telegraph)

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Surfer injured in second Sydney shark attack - 12th February 2009

2009-02-13T11:37:00.001+11:00

SYDNEY — A surfer was seriously injured today in Sydney’s second shark attack in two days, police said.

Shark attacks are rare off Australia’s largest city, although fishermen report the number of fish — including sharks — in Sydney Harbour is increasing as government policies and industrial changes reduce water pollution.

A 33-year-old man, whose name was not released, was taken to a hospital with "severe injuries" to his left arm after the attack off Sydney’s central Bondi Beach, a state police statement said.

Others surfers helped him to shore. His condition was serious, police said.

A Navy diver fought off a shark Wednesday in the harbor, but his hand and a leg were badly mauled.

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Shops can't survive at Bondi, by Brenden Hills - The Sunday Telegraph - 1st February 2009

2009-02-01T18:30:00.002+11:00

It's the gateway to Australia's busiest tourist beach, but Bondi's Campbell Pde has been called a "jinxed'' business black hole.

Many businesses are struggling to survive on the beachside strip with owners blaming Bondi's chronic lack of parking, overzealous council rangers and exorbitant rents.

Despite attempts to improve the fortunes of local businesses - including a free parking trial in 2007 - Campbell Pde is littered with empty shops and "for lease'' signs.

The Sunday Telegraph counted 10 empty, abandoned or up-for-lease properties on Campbell Pde.

In August, vacancy rates on the strip hit 11 per cent. Tenants are being slugged with rents as high as $1900 per square metre, the second highest average rent in Sydney.

Bondi Chamber of Commerce vice-president Max Sian said the massive rents and a lack of parking were killing businesses.

"Everyone thinks the streets are paved with gold, but they are really just covered in sand,'' he said.

"It's that expensive to park that people just head up to Westfield Bondi where they can get two hours for free and won't get fined.''

George Svetlov, whose gelato bar has been on the strip since 1958, said restaurants and shops struggled to make the adjustment from summer to the slower winter period.

"When people are paying $4000 to $5000 a week for rent they can keep their heads above water over summer but they struggle in the winter,'' he said.

"They go into debt over the winter periods and try to cover their losses in the summer. Some can keep it up for five years, but most only last for two to three.''

British burger baron David Michaels' Bite Me burger outlet recently closed down after failing to keep pace with the high cost of occupying a spot on Campbell Pde.

When asked what he would have done differently if he could, the 39-year-old said: ``Avoid Bondi.''

"We went down there all big-eyed, saw billions of people and thought, `How could we go wrong?' But it didn't even hit 30 per cent of the figures we thought we'd forecast. I wish I'd had a crystal ball because I wouldn't have even opened there in the first place,'' Mr Michaels said.

"We were the fourth tenant (at our location) in about five years.

"If you walk down the street there's boarded up shops everywhere. The whole strip is jinxed.''

Jerry Leis, managing director of Metro Commercial, which manages commercial properties in Bondi, said there was still high demand for premises on Campbell Pde, but Mr Michaels' business wasn't suitable for the strip.

"If he's paying $7000 to $8000 for rent and then charging $30 for a hamburger he has to ask himself whether that's the right sort of business for Bondi Beach.''

Waverley Mayor Sally Betts said parking had always been an issue and the council had introduced a parking review which would be discussed on February 13. (Credit: The Sunday Telegraph)

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Throng celebrates Aussie thong culture - 26th January 2009

2009-01-27T12:57:00.001+11:00

Thousands of people have swarmed onto Sydney's Bondi Beach to celebrate Australia Day and that quintessential part of the national costume - thongs.

About 500 patriots snapped up giant green and gold inflatable thongs and assembled at the northern end of the country's most famous beach to take part in the Havaianas Thong Challenge.

They took to the surf at 11.15am (AEDT) in an attempt to break the record for the most number of blow-up thongs on the water at any given time.

The challenge, now in its fourth year, managed to get 863 people into the ocean at nearby Coogee Beach on Australia Day in 2006.

On Monday, the record looked safe for another year, but it wasn't for want of trying.

Those without a giant thong strapped to their backs had a pair on their feet.

Paul Baxter, 46, from Wattle Grove, said his double-pluggers were superior to the more common single-plug variety.

A recent British immigrant, Mr Baxter said he was celebrating Australia Day at Bondi for the first time.

"We don't do this kind of thing in the UK, it just doesn't happen," he said.

"It's great, just a really great time."

Mr Baxter said light rain had not affected the mood.

"It doesn't take away from this, Australia Day at Bondi, it doesn't get much better than that." (Credit: AAP)

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He's seen plenty, now May wins his own gold medal, by Rick Feneley - The Sydney Morning Herald - 26th January 2009

2009-01-26T12:28:00.002+11:00

Norman May recalls the day he was arrested at gunpoint. He was an 11-year-old scallywag with one glass eye, the real one having been sacrificed in a game of bows and arrows when he was six.

"I was in a gang of kids robbing shops at Randwick," Mr May says. They were a gang of seven or eight, and mostly they stole cigarettes. "I still remember the cops coming and holding a gun at us. They threw me in the shelter for a week. You learned very quickly … My life of crime finished in a week."

Mr May, of course, is better known for his life of passion for sport. At 80, he looks back on almost 50 years of broadcasting - on cricket, rugby, 12 Olympic Games and another 12 Commonwealth Games. He has covered half of those games since his "retirement" from the ABC in 1984.

"The thing is, don't retire," Mr May told the Herald at his flat overlooking Bondi Beach.

Today Mr May becomes a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the community through his fund-raising and promotional roles with the Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games team appeals and for his support for cultural and seniors organisations. In 1983, Mr May was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the Queen's birthday honours for his service to the media.

He will not be resting on his laurels today. Norman May, AM, OAM, will be fulfilling his duties as an Australia Day ambassador in Lithgow, home town of Marjorie "Lithgow Flash" Jackson.

It is his 10th year as an ambassador and he rattles off the towns where he has officiated - Campbelltown, Warialda, Cobar, Dubbo, Nyngan, Bega, Merriwa, Narrabri, Cowra - with the same instant recall that resurrects his favourite moments at the microphone: the first Australian Olympic gold medal he called, Dawn Fraser's 100m freestyle triumph at the 1964 Games; a 15-year-old Shane Gould's three gold medals in the pool at the 1972 Olympics; and his perpetually misquoted "'gold, gold, gold" description of the Australian men's surprise 4 x 100m medley victory at the 1980 Games in Moscow. In fact, Mr May howled: "Gold! Gold to Australia! Gold!"

He makes no apology for his nationalistic fervour as a commentator. It is a career that chose him. "It was a fluke."

In his 20s he worked as an insurance clerk, at which he was "terrible". But Mr May was also a surf lifesaver and ABC radio recruited him to help with a Christmas Day broadcast of a competition in 1954. Then, on February 9, 1957, three months after the advent of television in Australia, Mr May joined the first telecast of a surf carnival at Dee Why. In April that year he was part of the broadcast team in the first telecast of a rugby game in Australia, at Chatswood. At 29, a late starter, he became an ABC trainee on paltry wages.

Mr May never married. Rather, until he was 54, he was his mother's sole carer. As a 14-year-old girl she had been given two years to live, so sick was she with scarlet fever and typhoid.

Despite a stint in her 20s with the Sunshine Girls, a song-and-dance troupe that travelled the state to raise money for the defence forces, she had a weak heart and became an invalid. Her son cared for her until she died at 86.

It had made courting difficult. "And once you get to 54, most women have had their kids."

Is it a matter of regret? Mr May smiles: "You take it as it comes." He has "lady friends" and has been making up for lost time.

Overall, he says, he has been very fortunate. "I've been to a Games - Commonwealth or Olympic - every two years since 1964." He has been fund-raising since 1963, "a small repayment."

Now he contributes to an ageing and memory study with the University of NSW and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He makes a good case study.

He is ageing very well. He will be 81 on Valentine's Day and he hopes to make the London Olympics in 2012. And his memories are sharp - and happy. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)

Media Man Australia Profiles

Sports News

Bondi Beach

Future of newspapers in hands of young, publisher says - The Canberra Times - 26th January 2009

2009-01-26T12:23:00.002+11:00

John B.Fairfax has good reason to celebrate over breakfast on Bondi Beach this morning.

Mr Fairfax has been made an Officer in the General Division for service to the print media industry, particularly the development of news services in rural and remote areas, and to the community through executive roles with agricultural, youth and charitable organisations.

His thoughts may well turn to youngsters out enjoying the waves, as he believes the future of newspapers is in their hands.

He said others were more deserving of the award, a higher accolade than the Order of Australia in 1994 in recognition of his services to the media and community.

He's touched and grateful and says this honour should be shared among people in rural and regional Australia, particularly the younger ones, whose enthusiasm and thinking have been a stimulating part of his life.

He hopes young people will begin reading newspapers at some stage.

''It's often forgotten young people have never actually been great newspaper readers,'' he said. ''We say now that the young are using the internet and their mobile phones and so on to get information and that is true.

''But we still don't really know, when they settle down with their family, as was the case in the past, whether they will then progress to newspapers.'' John Thistleton (Credit: The Canberra Times)

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Fairfax

Bondi Beach

A sunburnt country, by Claire Buckis - The Sydney Morning Herald - 14th January 2009

2009-01-18T05:22:00.002+11:00

On a sunny afternoon at Sydney's Bondi Beach, a group of lily-white British backpackers are turning pink under the Australian sun. The regulars are here, too: copper-skinned sun-lovers in the surf and lazing on the sand, and girls in bikinis baking topless.

At first glance, it doesn't seem much has changed since a nation of beach-loving Aussies became world leaders in contracting melanoma. "About 1600 people die from skin cancer in Australia each year and about 400,000 people get skin cancer," says Professor Ian Olver, CEO of Cancer Council Australia. But it seems the statistics aren't stopping the sun worship.

"You won't keep people away from the sun," says furniture removalist Jarrah Darling, 26, who visits the beach at least weekly for one to two hours of surf and sun. He never wears sunscreen - he says he doesn't burn - but he does get his moles checked. For him, being bronze is essential.

"Gotta have that tan," says Darling. "Especially on the girls. I love a nice brown girl." Spray tans don't cut it. "I was at the races at Randwick and all the girls had fake tans and, nah, it's no good," he says. "It's orangey, it's blotchy, it smells bad. And if you've kissed a girl on the neck who's wearing it, it doesn't taste good, either."

Tans have always been about status, according to British sun-worshipper Robert Mighall. In his book Sunshine: One Man's Search For Happiness, which is part memoir and part history of sunbaking, Mighall says tanned skin became prized around 1900, when more people started working indoors and a tan meant you could afford a beach holiday.

Australia's love affair with tanning was epitomised in Max Dupain's classic 1937 photo Sunbaker, which captured the tanned torso of a man sunbathing. In the '80s, Elle Macpherson and Paul Hogan embodied the bronzed Aussie ideal. Now pale has made a comeback and it's the ladies leading the way to alabaster: think Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman and model Gemma Ward. (Our blokes aren't so concerned about sun-induced wrinkles: take a look at Hugh Jackman's weathered drover in Australia.)

Sunbaking makes us feel good. Sunlight on skin produces the "happy" brain chemical serotonin, which might explain why a study published last year in the American Journal Of Health Behaviour found 27 per cent of college students surveyed were "tanning dependent"; that is, obsessed by sun and solariums. Indeed, a lack of sunlight in winter can cause a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Sufferers can be treated with light therapy to boost serotonin levels.

Back on Sydney's beaches, Gunter Kitzler, 72, a Bondi lifesaver for 35 years, recalls that back in the 1970s (when lying in the sun dipped in coconut oil was a sign you love life) people had to be warned off the beach. "You would see people burning themselves to blisters," he says. "We'd say, 'Sorry, you'd better cover up.' A few times they had babies lying next to them, uncovered; that was heartbreaking."

Kitzler spends hours outside most days, usually just in his speedos. He never wears sunscreen - even though he's had moles removed - and says he doesn't burn.

Kitzler might not suffer from sunburn, but he is still at risk of melanoma. Anyone - fair, olive, black, young or old - can get skin cancer, although fair-skinned people are more prone to it. The pigment in dark skin provides some protection from UV, but "it doesn't matter if you do it slowly or quickly; there's no way of getting a safe tan by exposure to ultraviolet light," says Professor Olver from Cancer Council Australia. Deliberate or otherwise, tanned skin is a sign the sun has damaged your
skin enough to put you at risk of cancer.

Not everyone at Bondi is baking: there are plenty of hats and sleeves. "Australians are more conscious of sunscreen," says Canadian backpacker Caroline Boyd, 26. "My mom was always in the sun and she is prematurely aged. You'd think I would have learned from that, but I haven't."

Eric and Jean Jones, both 69, are tourists from Warrington, in England's north-west. Jean has covered up, while her husband catches some rays. "This is the first sun we've had," says Eric, who isn't wearing sunscreen. "We arrived in Melbourne and thought the Aussies were kidding us."

Sydney has stronger UV radiation and Melbourne has more cloud cover, so Victorians get less sun. Ellina Shikhman, 29, from Tan-Trum Tanning Complex in Melbourne's Balwyn, gets a weekly solarium tan - "I prefer a bit of colour" - because she doesn't want to get burnt at the beach. "A solarium is a controlled environment, so ideally a person shouldn't burn," she says.

In 2007, 26-year-old Melburnian Clare Oliver lost a three-year battle with melanoma after tanning in solariums. In Victoria, solariums must carry health warnings and under-16s are banned, while in NSW, legislation came into force on January 1 banning under-18s and those with very fair "type 1" skin.

The official line from Cancer Council Australia is that you should never use solariums, avoid the sun between 10am and 3pm, apply sunscreen and cover up. While we do need sun to produce vitamin D to lower the risk of multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and breast, colon and prostate cancers, "you need only a few minutes' sunlight a day in summer to generate your requirement of vitamin D," says Professor Olver. "You get that walking to the shops. In winter, you need two or three hours' exposure a week."

You would be hard-pressed to find an Aussie who doesn't know about the dangers of tanning, so why do we do it? "I love just sitting on the beach," says Jarrah Darling. "It makes you feel good." (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)

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Bondi Beach

Cigarette beach ban goes up in smoke in Sydney - The Australian - 11th January 2009

2009-01-11T13:07:00.002+11:00

Councils responsible for Sydney's popular beaches have not fined one smoker, four years after the bans were introduced.

Smokers at Bondi, Australia's busiest beach, are ignoring Waverley Council signs that clearly prohibit the habit.

They are also lighting up without fear of fines on Waverley's other major beaches, Bronte and Tamarama, although anti-smoking regulations have been in effect since December 2004.

Warringah Council, responsible for northern beaches including Collaroy and Dee Why, is also yet to issue a fine. Nor has Manly Council.

A Waverley spokeswoman said the smoking ban was more about education and self-regulation than fines.

"Rangers and lifeguards tell smokers nicely to move away from the sand," she said.

"Most people are happy to go to the promenade when told they cannot smoke on the beach. It's not about money, it's more about the environment."

A Manly Council spokeswoman said smokers were constantly warned against lighting up through public broadcast over microphones at Manly, North Steyne and Queenscliff beaches.

The only council to have utilised its power to fine is Mosman, which last year fined three people $110 for smoking on the foreshore reserve at Balmoral beach.

Action on Smoking and Health Australia CEO Anne Jones said councils "have a blind spot on this issue".

"It does make a mockery of laws if there is no intention to enforce them," Ms Jones said.

"Waverley needs to be more proactive given that Bondi is such a popular beach."

Clean Up Australia lists cigarette butts as one of the most common items littering our beaches. "It can be a health issue when beaches are crowded with families and small children can put cigarette butts in their mouths," Ms Jones said.

Randwick Council is considering introducing smoking fines after 11-year-old Adam Fahy-Majeed started a community campaign to ban the habit on Coogee beach last year. (Credit: The Australian)

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Bondi Beach

Muscle beach party, by Steve Meacham - The Sydney Morning Herald - 8th January 2009

2009-01-09T12:43:00.002+11:00

Long before it became the preserve of buffed bodybuilders and flimsily clad beach volleyball players, the sands of Bondi played host to another sporting discipline that simply oozed sex: "beachobatics".

For a few short years, immediately before and during World War II, a group of muscle-bound men and agile young women would gather at the southern end of the beach. There they'd strip off into the most daring costumes of the day and contort their sun-browned bodies into the most complex human pyramids. Everyday thoughts of economic depression and global warfare were - like the girl held horizontally aloft by an outstretched arm - temporarily suspended.

Yet the exploits of these Bondi beachobats were lost to history until the chance discovery of a cardboard box full of 290 medium-format negatives taken by a man now belatedly acknowledged as one of Australia's most outstanding photographers, George Caddy.

Caddy's talent itself had been forgotten until last year when Alan Davies, curator of photography at the State Library of NSW, received an email from photographer Jon Lewis. "You've got to see these. They're of Bondi and they're sensational. Do you know anything about this bloke George Caddy?"

Davies, who prides himself on his encyclopedic knowledge of NSW photographers, had never heard of him. "Nor had any of my colleagues. There were a lot of people taking photographs in the 1930s and '40s but very few taking interesting photographs. And still less taking pictures which transcended their time."

Caddy, it later emerged, had been a well-known dancing champion, nicknamed The Bondi Jitterbug, in the late 1930s. He was one of the first to shock the staid ballrooms of Sydney with the unashamedly erotic steps of the dance craze that had swept America - a combination of charleston, lindy hop and truckin' whose origins lay in the jazz clubs of Harlem.

But Caddy, who had moved with his family to Sydney from Melbourne in 1929 when he was 15, also was a keen amateur photographer whose work was well-known within camera club circles. Like his professional contemporary Max Dupain, Caddy was influenced heavily by the modernist style he'd seen in the New York-based Popular Photography magazine.

And, from 1936 until 1941 when he was enlisted in the Army, he spent most weekends down at the beach, photographing his friends who were members of a local gym.

Davies, however, knew none of this. The only information on the negatives were the dates each photograph had been taken.

Even Caddy's son, Paul, who had found the box when he was clearing out his father's flat in Maroubra after George's death in 1983, had not appreciated how precious the photographs were. He'd taken them with him to Tasmania and forgotten about them for two decades. Davies could see that George Caddy had been "an exceptional photographer, jaw-droppingly good". But who were his subjects? Where had they learned their acrobatic skills? What equipment had Caddy used? And why was there no record of any of Caddy's photographs after he went into the Army?

For example, there's one photograph showing two perfectly focused, somersaulting gymnasts frozen mid-air, with grains of sand glistening in the sun. Even today, using digital cameras, automatic flash and auto speed, it would be difficult to replicate. So how did Caddy manage it on October 4, 1936?

Davies and his colleagues began searching, detective-like, for clues. Fortunately the State Library was the best place to start.

Regina Sutton, the State Librarian, says Caddy's short but brilliant burst of creativity "would have remained unknown were it not for the Library's resources . . . Books, magazines, electoral rolls, telephone directories and [our] online catalogue all contributed."

The first breakthrough came when Davies found one of Caddy's photographs - a group tableau of seven men lifting five women - in the library's copy of Health And Physical Culture magazine, published on February 1, 1939 (three years after Caddy had taken it).

It illustrated an article by Wal Balmus, a professional strongman and keen beachobat. Balmus recommended sand gymnastics because it brings "young couples together to enjoy each other's company . . . minus mock modesty". Crucially, it identified the people as members of the Graham Gymnasium.

Colleagues at Waverley Library soon established that "Graham Men's Gymnastic Club" had been formed in Waverley in 1921. A story in the local paper, appealing for more information, struck gold - a reader who had kept an album of Caddy's beachobatic pictures, with the names of the gymnasts on the back of one print.

Bit by bit, the story of Caddy and his extraordinary record of Bondi beach life unfolded. A favourite subject was Valmae Maher, a North Bondi beauty who regularly appeared as a pinup in Truth magazine. On February 3, 1940 she posed provocatively for Caddy, lying in the sand wearing what locals called "a swoon suit" because of its peek-a-boo cut and lace-up panels.

Davies points out the swoon suit was born of wartime necessity: rubberised fabrics were scarce and rationed and the laces allowed one size to fit most.

Another 1940 photograph shows Caddy posing with the camera he used to take his beachobatic shots. To an expert like Davies, it's fascinating: a Voigtlander Bergheil plate camera with a wire frame viewfinder, flashlight attachment and roll-film back, producing 6x6 centimetre negatives.

Further research revealed details of Caddy's life even his son didn't know. Born in Melbourne in 1914, he was only 17 when his unemployed father walked out on his mother while they were living in Bennett Street, Bondi. In 1936, George found a job as a paper-pattern cutter for the Australian Home Journal, spending his spare time dancing and taking photographs.

One of his finest tableau pictures, taken on October 8, 1939 just after the outbreak of World War II, shows no less than eight members of the gym, with the white-capped Alf Stanbrough in the key position of bearer. At the apex is Charlie Lusty - the only member of the group still alive. Within two years, beachobatics had disappeared from Bondi. One by one, the men went off to war - except for Lusty, who was in a protected profession.

Caddy himself was stationed near Brisbane as a gunner in an anti-aircraft battery. When he returned to civilian life in 1946, he seems to have abandoned dancing and photography. The reasons aren't entirely clear, though he married Betty York in 1943, becoming a father when Paul was born the following year. "Home duties probably won out," Davies says.

As well, beachobatics - influenced by the health and fitness philosophies of pre-Nazi Germany - had been born in a more carefree age. Of the seven men in the tableau picture who went to war, "two never came back", Davies says. "Others came back completely shattered."

As for George Caddy, he packed away his cameras, stored his negatives in a cardboard box and put his days as "The Bondi Jitterbug" behind him.

Fortunately, his photographs have survived.

Bondi Jitterbug: George Caddy And His Camera opens today at the State Library of NSW and runs until February 22. (Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald).

Media Man Australia Profiles

Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach Record Crowds In Past Week

2009-01-04T17:23:00.003+11:00

The largely beautiful weather, annual holidays and world class acts, and sprinkle of celebs, have help see Bondi Beach attract records crowds in the past few weeks.

Many locals are thanking their lucky stars that there was a alcohol ban enforced at Bondi Beach to help keep problems to a minimum.

Some Bondi Beach residents have been seen at Bronte Beach to escape the massive crowds, with some success, and to grab a bit of shade under the more greener Bronte Beach parks.

Whether your a Bondi Beach or Bronte Beach lover, or both, there's no denying that Aussie beach lovers have it pretty good in Waverley.

Media Man Australia Profiles

Bronte Beach

Bondi Beach

Bondi girl dies in car crash, by Geesche Jacobsen - The Sun-Herald - 4th January 2009

2009-01-04T17:20:00.001+11:00

A 15-year-old Bondi girl has died in a car crash, in which the P-plate driver and another girl were injured.

The 15-year-old, who was a passenger in the front seat of the Honda Integra, died when the car driven by an 18-year-old Bankstown man hit a power pole on Newbridge Road at Chipping Norton about 7.30pm last night.

A 16-year-old girl, also from Bondi, who was sitting in the back was trapped and sustained serious leg injuries.

She was taken to Liverpool Hospital for treatment, as was the driver who sustained cuts and abrasions.

The car appeared to be travelling westbound on Newbridge Road when it lost control, crossed the median strip and stuck the power poll on the eastbound side of the road.

The police crash investigations unit is investigating the crash and preparing a report for the coroner.

The girl was the state's third casualty for the new year and the 13th for the Christmas-new year holiday period.

AAP reports: Less than three hours later police were called to Freemans Drive, Freemans Waterhole, in the Hunter region where a 21-year-old man died after his car struck a tree.

It is believed the Newcastle driver of the Holden Commodore failed to take a bend in the road and lost control.

Meanwhile, a crash this morning has left a man in a critical condition in hospital.

Witnesses told police that a Honda overtook a pink Hyundai sedan while travelling east along Cooper Street at Strathfield, about 6.30am.

A short time later both cars failed to negotiate a bend in the road.

The Honda smashed into a power pole, critically injuring a back-seat passenger.

"The P-plate driver - an 18-year-old man from Enfield - and the male front-seat passenger were also taken to hospital," police said in a statement.

The Hyundai driver was treated for minor injuries.

NSW Police traffic commander Chief Superintendent John Hartley told Macquarie Radio it was of concern that young males had been the drivers in each of the crashes.

"Young males on P-plates are causing more grief than they should," he said.

"After this spate of deaths I'll be speaking to my counterparts at the RTA this next week or so and we'll work out what other strategies we can put in place to get tougher on P-platers.

"We do target them throughout the year but it's just ludicrous the crashes involved are not accidents, they're ones where people have been stupid and as a result someone has died.

"I think we need to just try and get some common sense into these young males."

Chief Superintendent Hartley said confiscation of vehicles needed to be looked at in cases such as serious speeding offences.

In 2008 the NSW annual road toll was 395, which was 40 fewer than 2007 and the first time the toll had fallen below 400 since 1944. (Credit: The Sun-Herald)

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Bondi Beach

Wayne Cooper's Bondi blow-up, by Nick Leys - The Sunday Telegraph - 4th January 2009

2009-01-04T17:14:00.002+11:00

Despite publicly declaring a new chapter in his life following a domestic violence conviction, fashion designer Wayne Cooper almost came to blows with his new lover's ex-boyfriend during a casual summer stroll at Bondi Beach.

Cooper, 44, became involved in an verbal altercation with TV sports presenter David Murdoch last Sunday as the founder of the Brave label walked along the promenade in the middle of the day at Bondi with model Heidi Houghting, his current squeeze.

Gallery: Wayne Cooper's confrontation in pictures

Cooper's confrontation with Murdoch was caught on camera.

The designer is currently on a two-year good-behaviour bond following a conviction for assaulting his de facto wife, Sarah Marsh, last June.

Cooper repeatedly pushed his wife in an emotional rage just two weeks after the former model had undergone surgery for gall bladder cancer.

The Sunday Telegraph understands words were spoken between Cooper and Murdoch - who dated Houghting for two years until recently - and tempers quickly flared.

Acting more like a geezer on holiday than an international designer, a shirtless Cooper, in white sunglasses, board shorts and thongs, snarled and squared up to Murdoch, a larger and fitter looking man, before Murdoch walked away up the promenade.

Houghting then had to drag her beau away as he kept up the verbal tirade in front of hundreds of holiday beachgoers at a packed Bondi.

Despite the personal dramas, Cooper has maintained a highly visible presence on the Sydney social circuit. He also remains in a close professional relationship with retail chain Myer.

Early on June 19, police were called to the Tamarama home Cooper shared with Marsh and their two children.

Cooper was taken to Bondi police station and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and intimidation.

In October, he was convicted of assaulting Marsh. The designer received a two-year good behaviour bond and apprehended violence order for the assault on Marsh.

Charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stalking and intimidating were dropped.

Cooper has been the subject of an online petition, pressuring Myer to dump him as a profiled designer.

The petition, "Wayne Cooper should not profit from women'', has 175 signatories.

(Credit: The Sunday Telegraph)

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Bondi Beach

Bondi man charged over child porn - 2nd January 2009

2009-01-02T17:36:00.001+11:00

Police have seized thousands of DVDs from the home of a Sydney man charged with possessing child pornography.

An examination of the material revealed more than 80 videos and 150 photos allegedly depicting girls between the ages of five and 15, police said.

A 36-year-old man was charged on Friday with eight counts of child pornography.

The investigation began when the Australian Customs Service alerted police, who seized all the material from a home at Bondi Beach on November 27.

The man was due to appear in Sydney's Central Local Court today.

Paris, Hinze, chill at Icebergs - The Daily Telegraph - 1st January 2009

2009-01-02T06:46:00.002+11:00

By mid-afternoon, the traditional Icebergs New Year's Day party was a seething crush of fake-tanned glamazons, sinister musclemen and babbling ingenues as a heavy dance backbeat set the tone for a somewhat ominous celebration.

Now in its seventh year, the Bondi Icebergs Dining Room New Year's Day party raises big bucks for charity.

And in the midst of it all was Paris Hilton, busy texting on her mobile phone and doing her little dance as the 35C humidity hit her manicured curls and left her looking, in her billowing white gown, like a fallen angel.

Gallery: Paris Hilton does her thing in Sydney - and gets mobbed.

And she wasn't the only one.

Model Kristy Hinze finally took the opportunity to show off her billionaire fiance Jim Clark in their first public appearance together since he arrived in Australia 10 days ago and they celebrated their engagement here.

Gallery: Kristy Hinze and her model mates.

But the 29-year-old Australian beauty and her 64-year-old US beau paid only a fleeting visit to the celeb-studded event.

THEY'RE the kings of the Sydney night - and Icebergs host Maurice Terzini looked happy when his rivals, Ivy owner Justin Hemmes and Kings Cross nightclub promoter John Ibrahim, paid him the professional compliment of showing up at his door yesterday.

Terzini spent much of the day mingling and managing while the devilishly good looking Ibrahim attracted plenty of attention when he moved on to the dancefloor, accompanied by one large buddy, clearly not such a keen dancer. Ibrahim had earlier caused jaws to drop when he pulled up in a convoy of cars and emerged from his Bentley with a host of male friends.

And despite having to host his own pool party at the Ivy yesterday, Hemmes still found time to stop in at the beachside venue with girlfriend Amber L'Estrange.

WHILE the paparazzi were searching for the diminutive Hilton, outside Icebergs yesterday afternoon another Hollywood heavyweight slipped in quietly and almost unnoticed.

US actress Diane Kruger, best known for her starring role alongside Brad Pitt in Troy, dropped into the party with partner Joshua Jackson. The pair are here on holiday.

SASS & bide's Sarah Jane Clark has been a regular at the Icebergs New Year bash but this year the designer had good reason to miss the party - she gave birth on New Year's Eve.

Clark and her husband Daniel Baffsky welcomed their third son just before 10pm on the final day of 2008.

FORMER actor turned fashion agent Kym Wilson was certainly making a fashion statement in her white terry towelling jumpsuit at Icebergs. Wilson, who among other clients represents Australian designer Leona Edmiston in LA, is visiting her home town.

THE love has not waned for former Shire babe and now LA-based acting student Tahyna Tozzi and Bra Boy Koby Abberton, just home after a stint in jail in Hawaii after an altercation with Honolulu immigration officers. The pair only had eyes and arms for each other in the packed party venue.

Gallery: Cheyenne Tozzi in a cossie

Gallery: The two gorgeous Tozzis.

US oil heir Brandon Davis has been linked with everyone from Hilton to that other Tozzi sister, Cheyenne, but yesterday he was flying solo and in Paris's wake at the Icebergs party. (Credit: The Daily Telegraph)

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Bondi Icebergs

Bondi Beach

Party girl Paris keeps crowd waiting, by Katherine Field and Aletha McHalick - The Australian - 1st January 2009

2009-01-01T13:13:00.002+11:00

Guests waited for hours in Sydney for international party princess Paris Hilton to arrive for a New's Year Eve party.

Hilton, believed to have pocketed about $100,000 to attend the party at Sydney's Piano Room, arrived shortly before midnight (AEDT) in a short, sparkling metallic dress.

She sat in a private VIP room with selected guests including her sister Nicky Hilton and Nicky's boyfriend David Katzenberg.

Hilton hob-nobbed with Australian singer Amy Pearson as punters who had hoped to catch a glimpse of the US socialite missed out.

More than 800 people turned out at the eastern Sydney venue and its neighbouring nightclub Trademark in the hope of meeting the hotel heiress.

She spent the day at Bondi Beach before dining with Aussie DJ Kaz James and friends at Otto's restaurant at Woolloomooloo.

Other guests at the party hosted by online social networking site The Bongo Virus included designer Wayne Cooper, MTV host Ruby Rose, Cheyenne Tozzi and boyfriend Koby Abberton, Olympian Stephanie Rice, radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands and his wife Tamara Jaber, actor Nick Giannopolis and the Chaser's Chris Taylor.

Pop twins The Veronicas attracted attention wearing black and flanked by two burly security guards as police also roamed the party.

At a press conference earlier on Wednesday, Hilton said she was enjoying her trip.

"I am very excited to be Down Under. I love it here in Australia," she said.

While the leggy blonde will be partying, she was adamant she wasn't courting any male admirers while in town.

"No, I'm just single. I'm here on a girl's trip," she said.

The 27-year-old has already made an impression on Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who said she supported Ms Hilton's $5560 shopping splurge in Melbourne earlier this week.

"I think that Ms Hilton is onto something very important, which is whether or not you want to have a holiday that's about fashion or a big night out, Australia's a great place to do it," Ms Gillard told said.

"I heard that a politician said that," Ms Hilton responded. "I thought that was very sweet and it's true.

"I'm in Australia, I think it's important to help out, you know, the economy out here, everywhere in the world.

"And what's wrong with a doing a little shopping?

"It's New Year's. I need a New Year's dress."

But Ms Hilton, who favours Australian designers Sass & Bide and Ksubi, said she would be wearing Italian glad rags on Wednesday night.

"Tonight, I'm going to change a couple of times, but I'm going to be wearing this really beautiful vintage gown by Versace," she said.

Hilton will party into the wee hour of the new year before attending a function on Thursday at Bondi Icebergs Club.

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Paris Hilton

Bondi Beach

Paris Hilton hits Bondi Beach - Herald Sun - 1st January 2009

2009-01-01T12:52:00.001+11:00

Paris Hilton rolled out an old trick in Sydney yesterday.

As she did when last in Australia two years ago, Hilton made an "impromptu" visit to Bondi Beach.

While she did not repeat her now-famous Bondi swim and shower at the famous strip, the heiress still managed to create a ruckus as she walked along the sand with her "best friend forever", reality show starlet Brittany Flickinger, and her public relations boss, several minders and her tour "co-ordinator".

Hundreds of swimmers, sunbakers and even shoppers dropped everything to clamour around the social princess, which was no problem for Aussie security guard Adrian Gaudy, who is her personal minder.

He has worked for Hilton on numerous occasions, the first time being her visit for the 2003 Melbourne Cup.

But even he couldn't stop a few handfuls of sand being hurled in Hilton's direction from some beachgoers. (Credit: Herald Sun)

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Faithful flock to the Bondi Hilton - The Daily Telegraph - 31st December 2008

2009-01-01T11:22:00.002+11:00

She isn't exactly Moses and there was no parting of the Red Sea, but when Paris Hilton touched down on the promised land of Bondi Beach yesterday, there was definitely a religious following.

Although far from her now-infamous swim and shower at the iconic strip this time two years ago, the heiress looked every bit the holy figure - complete with a headband and sandals - as she walked along the sand with the winner of the yet-to-be-released MTV reality show Paris Hilton's My New BFF, Brittany Flickinger.

See more photographs from the beach.

Hundreds of swimmers, sunbakers and even shoppers dropped everything to clamour around the social princess, which was no problem for Aussie security guard Adrian Gaudy, who was on hand during the crazy 2006 visit, too.

But even he couldn't stop a few handfuls of sand being hurled in Hilton's direction from some beachgoers, who couldn't understand what the fuss was about.

While saying the amount she was paid to pop into the Bongo Virus launch party last night was "a lot'' - $600,000 according to Sky News - the "it'' girl's all-important appearance fees are reportedly the latest victim of the global credit crunch.

In her hey-day (around the time of her last visit Down Under) she could reportedly bag $1million for showing her face. Plans to try to offset some of the party costs in Melbourne failed to take off after the Southern Star Observation Wheel made an 11th-hour withdrawal from a sponsorship deal on Monday. No other appearances have since been established.

(Credit: The Daily Telegraph)

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Bondi Beach

Topless tanning sparks Aussie beach row

2008-12-31T12:21:00.001+11:00

SYDNEY (AFP) — Topless tanning on Australia's iconic beaches could soon be outlawed if a conservative lawmaker wins a battle to force women to keep their breasts under wraps.

Fred Nile, an ordained reverend, has launched a bill which would ban topless sunbathing in the eastern state of New South Wales, which is home to Sydney's renowned Bondi beach.

Nile says women baring their breasts on the beach, a common practice among Australian sunworshippers, is offensive and should be banned.

"The law should be clear. It must say exposure of women's breasts on beaches will be prohibited," Nile told Tuesday's Daily Telegraph.

"If we don't, we could have people saying 'I'm not nude. I can walk (topless) down (Sydney's main street)," he said.

Nile, leader of the Christian Democrats, has won backing for his crusade from some members of both the major Labour and Liberal parties in the state parliament, the newspaper said.

But Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said topless sunbathing was a private issue.
"People want to go to the beach and use the beach in a variety of ways," Gillard told reporters.

"As long as people know what the rules are and know what to expect, I think it's a matter for the individuals involved."

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Topless bathing not an issue: Bondi mayor, by Georgina Robinson - The Sydney Morning Herald - 30th December 2008

2008-12-30T16:18:00.002+11:00

Waverley Council Mayor Sally Betts says she is aghast at moves by state politicians to outlaw women from sunbathing topless on NSW beaches.

"We've got alcohol-related violence, we've got under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour in the public domain - those are really important issues," Ms Betts told Fairfax Radio Network.

"If the Reverend Nile really wants to help people he should focus on those issues."

Ms Betts said she was at the beach on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and did not notice any topless women.

But if it was a problem, she would have heard about it, she said.

"In Waverley, we have a very involved community. They complain about everything," she said.

"But nobody has complained to me about topless [women]."

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Topless sunbathing has long been tolerated on most beaches - The Daily Telegraph - 30th December 2008

2008-12-30T12:21:00.001+11:00

In the days of Aub Laidlaw, the legendary Bondi Beach inspector, up to 50 female sunbathers a week would be escorted from the sands for wearing immodest dress.

We have not quite returned to Aub's era, which ran from 1929 until the late 1960s, but we may be on the verge of a modern equivalent.

Topless sunbaking has long been tolerated on most Sydney beaches. For the overwhelming majority of beachgoers, toplessness is no big deal. Yet now there is a bipartisan political push to ban this harmless and inoffensive practice.

No ban is needed.

Circumstances such as these demonstrate a kind of self-policing behaviour, whereby assembled communities decide for themselves where appropriate limits may be.

Toplessness is therefore accepted on many of our beaches, but would be frowned upon in George St.

This isn't hypocrisy. It's simply a recognition that different situations require different standards. And the standards on our beaches are entirely within the acceptable range - to everyone except, perhaps, Aub Laidlaw's ghost.

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Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach shark alarm on Boxing Day, by Kara Lawrence - The Daily Telegraph - 27th December 2008

2008-12-27T14:38:00.001+11:00

About 1000 bathers and surfers celebrating Boxing Day at Bondi Beach were ordered from the water after an off-duty lifeguard spotted a two-metre shark.

Bondi lifeguard Anthony Carroll was surfing with his girlfriend Rebecca Irwin before going on duty when they spotted the shark snacking on fish.

Gallery: Sharks, jaws of the deep

Mr Carroll said he saw the shark about 50m from where they were paddling, in the middle of the bay off Bondi.

"I saw the dorsal fins and the side fins," he said. "It looked like a jet-ski coming through a wave."

He said the shark was almost black, had a thick girth and was between 2m and 2.5m.

The shark alarm sounded about 10.40am and bathers were kept from the water for almost 30 minutes as lifeguards, surf lifesavers and helicopters combed the area for further signs. But the shark was not seen again, a lifeguard said. (Credit: The Daily Telegraph)

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Beach grog ban makes life a breeze for lifeguards, by Erik Jensen - The Sydney Morning Herald - 26th December 2008

2008-12-26T16:00:00.002+11:00

It was a Christmas tradition, weakened by a booze ban, and snubbed out by an overcast morning.

On Bondi Beach, a Waverley Council sign showed a stick figure with a martini glass and a Santa hat. He was being drowned, then arrested. "Alcohol strictly prohibited on Bondi Beach on Christmas Day," it read.

Attendance was down to about 10,000 on the beach yesterday. There were big men in small swimmers, backpackers boiled an angry red with sunburn.

In a good year, before the 2004 alcohol ban, the beach would take closer to 50,000 on Christmas Day.

"When they stopped the alcohol on the beach, so did the crowds, said Kris Yates, a lifeguard in the beach's tower. "In my opinion, if the public could drink, the beach would be packed. [But] it's a good idea. There's a lot more work when there's drink on the beach."

Road signs spread the message from the top of Bondi Road: alcohol was prohibited as far back as Blair Street.

"I was expecting more people," said Alessandro Bentivedo, one of many on the beach spending their first Christmas far away from home. "This rule about alcohol, for me it's strange. In Italy you can smoke, you can drink. I don't like it but I respect this rule."

Most people did respect the rule - or at least abided by it. Private security checked bags before their owners reached the sand. Only a handful of swimmers needed to be pulled from the long flat surf.

"I was expecting only to find a spot of sand to lay on," said Chris Hall, a British backpacker in his second week in Sydney. "It's busy, but there's quite a bit of space isn't there?".

(Credit: Fairfax)

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Bondi Beach Profile Updated

2008-12-22T08:55:00.001+11:00

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Greenpeace commissions video art by Keith Loutit to shift perspective on whaling - News.com.au - 16th December 2008

2008-12-19T08:26:00.001+11:00

Video of anti-whaling protest
Thousands of images used
Highlights cause of the "Tokyo Two"

It looks like a miniature scale model of Bondi Beach, with tiny people and animated that look like a surreal children's cartoon.

But it's all real - even the Tibetan monks standing in front of a giant whale made out of sand.

Thousands of images, put together in a time-lapse video, were taken by photographer Keith Loutit as part of an artwork documenting an anti-whaling protest.

Greenpeace coordinated the protest and artworks to highlight the cause of the "Tokyo Two", a pair of activists who were arrested after investigating corruption in the Japanese whaling industry.

The environmental organisation commissioned Loutit to capture the event as sand sculptors created a 17-metre long whale on Sydney's iconic beach.

The images have a dream-like, miniaturised quality due to a photographic method known as tilt-shift photography, which involves a special camera lens that focuses on very specific areas in the frame.

Loutit said he used 4000-6000 images for the five-minute video, titled Beached II.

The artist became well-known a few months ago when he debuted his unique combination of time-lapse and tilt-shift photography online.

Greenpeace, which held simultaneous protests at Japanese embassies around the world, left the large sand whale on Bondi Beach for over a week.

(Credit: News.com.au)

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