It was a scene that would be unlikely to occur these days.
Five thousand building workers and their families were enjoying a Christmas picnic at Gunnamatta Park, and there, urging on the tug-of-war teams, was the president of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.
Union leaders suggested the visit by Mr Justice Taylor during the hearing in 1962 of an application for a variation in the award to allow a paid picnic holiday.
Photos in the Leader’s archives show how Gunnamatta Bay, a long-time playground for Sutherland Shire residents and visitors, has changed over the years.
It was once an extremely popular swimming spot and venue for picnics, particularly large events, with various ethnic groups finding it an ideal location to get together.
These days, there are still big numbers at peak times but, overall, there are fewer visitors, apartment blocks dominate the surrounds and a large marina has replaced the simple boatshed that stood at the head of the bay until the mid-1980s.
Social changes with families, lifestyle and transport would undoubtedly have had a big impact.
Contributing reasons may have been prospective visitors being turned off by serious injuries to swimmers jumping and diving into shallow waters in the tidal baths, and increased water pollution as the shire developed.
The introduction of the Beachwatch monitoring program in 1989 shone a spotlight on water quality in Gunnamatta Bay for the first time, and the results were not good.
The situation has improved greatly, but like all estuary swimming spots, water quality deteriorates with runoff and occasional sewage overflows during heavy rain spells.
Gunnamatta, meaning sandy hills, was the name given in 1899 to the entire Cronulla area.
In 1908, the area was renamed Cronulla and Gunnamatta was retained as the name of the bay.
The Cronulla to Bundeena ferry service started in 1915 and in 1919 a large, new wharf was officially opened by the Governor Sir Walter Davidson.
Cronulla Swim Club, one of the shire’s oldest clubs, began at Gunnamatta Bay as the Cronulla Amateur Swimming Club on December 1, 1920.
“The only worthwhile swimming pool in the shire at this time was the Gunnamatta Bay Baths, not the present baths but an earlier wooden structure, 70 yards by 60 yards, built in 1915,” the club says on its website.
“In 1939, the original Gunnamatta Bay Baths were demolished and the present mesh enclosed structure, 200 yards long, was erected.
“By the late 1950s both the men’s and women’s clubs were thriving and conducting very successful, free learn to swim campaigns at Gunnamatta Bay, serving the rapidly growing population of the shire and teaching thousands of ‘baby boomers’ how to swim.
“Many who were taught to swim by the club joined its ranks and many teenage members then went on to volunteer as instructors.”
Gunnamatta Bay was the club's home until 1967 when Caringbah Olympic Pool (now Caringbah Leisure Centre) opened.
The new Caringbah pool “provided a much better venue for swimming: no tides, no pollution after heavy rain, no jelly blubbers, no sea-lice, and you could see the bottom of the pool.
“Both the men’s and women’s clubs moved to Caringbah after the opening of the pool.
“However, the Learn to Swim Campaign remained at Gunnamatta Bay for many years afterwards.”
The clubrooms at Gunnamatta Bay are now occupied by Cronulla RSL Swimming Club.
LEADER FLASHBACK
Every Friday we delve into the Leader archives to embark on some time travel.
We will bring you photographs of a news event from 57 years of Leader news coverage that you may or may not recall.
Flashback Friday submissions are also welcomed.
Feel free to share your recollections with us on our Facebook page @SutherlandShireStGeorgeNews or email leaderletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au
