Bondi In The 20th Century Context
As the popularity of sea bathing during the early 1900s increased, Bondi emerged as Australia's most iconic cultural destination. It was a place where Sydneysiders could pursue their leisure activities. With the rise of sea bathing, concerns about public safety and how to prevent people from drowning arose. In response, the world's first officially documented surf lifesaving club, the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club (Bondi SBLSC), was formed in 1907. With the comforting presence of surf lifesavers on duty, Bondi Beach became "a place of exhilarating swimming and surfing rather than potential tragedy". Besides the digger and bushman, the lifesaver became a cultural Australian icon, symbolising what was perceived to be good about being Australian.