Beach Bonanza

Kids from the Shire and the West played together at Cronulla

Kids from primary schools in the Sutherland Shire and the Bankstown region spent a day of fun in the sun together at the first ever Beach Bonanza Carnival on 19 October 2007 at Wanda Beach, Cronulla.

The event organised by the CRC and Sutherland Shire Council aimed to promote cultural harmony and educate kids about beach culture.

The students in mixed teams identified by ten different coloured caps participated in exciting activities such as beach sprinting, flags relay,surf boat rescue race, beach volley ball, soccer, ‘Play for Life’ games, Ultimate Frisbee, indigenous games, bocce and kite making. A highlight for the 260 children present was the arrival of the Surf Life Saving Australia’s Life Saver Rescue Helicopter which they were invited to inspect.

Five students from Punchbowl Boys High School and Cronulla High School who are studying sports science assisted in running the day’s activities.

The Chair of the Commission, Stepan Kerkyasharian said: “The aim of the event was to promote inter-cultural awareness and harmony through sport, primarily focusing on beach activities and surf life saving. Beach Bonanza was part of the on-going programme of community healing which we have been pursuing since December 2005 and will allow kids from the Shire and from the West of Sydney to interact and break down cultural barriers in a social atmosphere.The beach belongs to everyone and it is best enjoyed when communities enjoy it together.”

The Bonanza was launched by Barbara Perry, the Minister for Juvenile Justice, Minister for Western Sydney and Minister Assisting the Premier, Morris Iemma, on Citizenship in the presence of Sutherland Shire Councillor, Kevin Schreiber, representing the Mayor Councillor David Redmond.

The Commission held an essay competition for those students who attended and participated in the Beach Bonanza. The Commission announced the winning essays for this competition and the winners were:

• 1st Prize: Lauren Wright – St Aloysius Cronulla
• 2nd Prize: Afsana Alam – Malek Fahd Islamic School
• 3rd Prize: Bailey Neate - St Aloysius Cronulla