Manly surf Pavilion is a cultural feature located at South Steyne, Manly
HISTORY
Before 1902 it was illegal to swim in the surf in daylight hours. Sea bathing was considered to be beneficial for health. It was not however legal, in New South Wales for people to be “bathing in waters exposed to views from any wharf, street, public place or dwelling house between the hours of 6am and 7pm.”
Due to wider public demand the laws were changed and daylight swimming was permitted, provided a neck to knee swimming costume was worn.
All day bathing became popular and with it growing crowds who had never been in the surf before. During this first official bathing season 17 people drowned and rescues became commonplace, with the local experienced surfers being the ones called upon to do the rescuing. The birth of Manly Surf and Life Saving Club was imminent.
In 1903 the club was founded to patrol the beach.The name being agreed upon being “The Manly Surf and Life Saving Club”. Since the beginning of the club in 1903, no lives have been lost on the beach.
In 1908 the first surf carnival with open surf races, was staged
The present Manly Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1911.
THE PAVILION is located at the Southern end of Manly beach, on the corner of South Steyne and Ashburner Street.
The Pavilion was designed by Eric W Andrew and a team of architects, a prize winning civic architecture in the 'ultra-modern' style of late 1930s.
It was awarded the Sulman Medal for Architecture in 1939. The Sulman Award judges noted that the “the most noticeable quality of
the pavilion it its complete harmony with its setting”. It is felt that nothing more could be done to make it, as it should be, and integral part of the
landscape, and a difficult site has indeed proved to be the architects opportunity. The planning is clear, direct and freely treated, and the organization of the volume of the building is most skillful. The elevational treatment is very satisfactory, with a nice balance between form, line and texture. The handling of the detail shows a high degree of refinement and a good sense of colour”.
The Manly Surf Lifesaving Pavilion was an L shaped building located at the southern end of the beach, including a tall shark tower.It was made from reinforced concrete. The building was modified in 1936, 1938 and 1940 and the building was eventually demolished in 1980 due to concrete cancer.
In 1982 A new building was designed by architect Rick Turner to replace the original building which was constructed to satisfy the needs of the club at the time.
Today however, club membership has grown substantially as has the amount of equipment needed to fulfill the clubs key role, which include rescue services and training, also youth education and development. So an application has been approved for a redevelopment of the building and fundraising for this project is underway.
FUNCTION
The Pavilion is used as the club house of the Manly Surf Life Saving Club, whose primary role is to provide surf rescue, first aid and promote water safety on Manly Beach and houses the equipment for the club. It is also the site for youth education and development.
The Pavilion houses the Australian Surf Museum and is also hired out for corporate events, community groups and for private functions.
Before 1902 it was illegal to swim in the surf in daylight hours. Sea bathing was considered to be beneficial for health. It was not however legal, in New South Wales for people to be “bathing in waters exposed to views from any wharf, street, public place or dwelling house between the hours of 6am and 7pm.”
Due to wider public demand the laws were changed and daylight swimming was permitted, provided a neck to knee swimming costume was worn.
All day bathing became popular and with it growing crowds who had never been in the surf before. During this first official bathing season 17 people drowned and rescues became commonplace, with the local experienced surfers being the ones called upon to do the rescuing. The birth of Manly Surf and Life Saving Club was imminent.
In 1903 the club was founded to patrol the beach.The name being agreed upon being “The Manly Surf and Life Saving Club”. Since the beginning of the club in 1903, no lives have been lost on the beach.
In 1908 the first surf carnival with open surf races, was staged
The present Manly Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1911.
THE PAVILION is located at the Southern end of Manly beach, on the corner of South Steyne and Ashburner Street.
The Pavilion was designed by Eric W Andrew and a team of architects, a prize winning civic architecture in the 'ultra-modern' style of late 1930s.
It was awarded the Sulman Medal for Architecture in 1939. The Sulman Award judges noted that the “the most noticeable quality of
the pavilion it its complete harmony with its setting”. It is felt that nothing more could be done to make it, as it should be, and integral part of the
landscape, and a difficult site has indeed proved to be the architects opportunity. The planning is clear, direct and freely treated, and the organization of the volume of the building is most skillful. The elevational treatment is very satisfactory, with a nice balance between form, line and texture. The handling of the detail shows a high degree of refinement and a good sense of colour”.
The Manly Surf Lifesaving Pavilion was an L shaped building located at the southern end of the beach, including a tall shark tower.It was made from reinforced concrete. The building was modified in 1936, 1938 and 1940 and the building was eventually demolished in 1980 due to concrete cancer.
In 1982 A new building was designed by architect Rick Turner to replace the original building which was constructed to satisfy the needs of the club at the time.
Today however, club membership has grown substantially as has the amount of equipment needed to fulfill the clubs key role, which include rescue services and training, also youth education and development. So an application has been approved for a redevelopment of the building and fundraising for this project is underway.
FUNCTION
The Pavilion is used as the club house of the Manly Surf Life Saving Club, whose primary role is to provide surf rescue, first aid and promote water safety on Manly Beach and houses the equipment for the club. It is also the site for youth education and development.
The Pavilion houses the Australian Surf Museum and is also hired out for corporate events, community groups and for private functions.