About The Bondi Memorial

The Bondi Memorial in Marks Park in Tamarama aims to honour victims and survivors of homophobic and transphobic violence, to help acknowledge and heal the significant community trauma caused by these events, to raise greater community awareness of this issue, to promote the continuing need to pursue truth and justice, and to serve as a reminder of the importance of valuing and celebrating diversity in our community.

The Bondi Memorial is a collaborative project between ACON and Waverley Council, who have been working together since 2015 to establish a permanent memorial site dedicated to the gay men and trans women that were assaulted, tortured or killed in the 1970s to 1990s in Sydney. The cliffs and surrounding areas around the coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama, including Marks Park, are the sites of horrific acts of violence towards LGBTQ people.

The Bondi Memorial artwork is called 'Rise' and it has been designed by John Nicholson of United Art Projects (UAP).

The memorial is based on the following principles: 

  • Remembrance – remembrance of LGBT victims of hate crimes in Sydney's eastern suburbs, the greater Sydney region and broader NSW 
  • Diversity – acknowledgement of the diversity of the eastern suburbs area, including its prominent LGBT community 
  • Inclusion – recognition of the social inclusion of groups who have been historically marginalised in the area 
  • Justice – justice for the victims, their friends, families and communities 
  • Acceptance – acceptance of the area’s complex history as the site in which the crimes took place 

 

About ACON 

ACON is NSW’s leading health promotion organisation specialising in community health, inclusion and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders. 

Established in 1985, ACON works to create opportunities for people in our communities to live their healthiest lives. 

ACON has a strong commitment to the safety of our community and provide a range of support and advocacy services that help improve the security and safety of LGBTQ people and their families.   

ACON also provides a range of services related to mental health, care coordination and referral support for LGBTQ people and those affected by HIV. For any community members or victims’ loved ones who may be experiencing distress related these historical hate crimes, we can provide counselling. For more information, visit www.acon.org.au 

 

About Waverley Council 

Waverley Council provides and supports a variety of services, programs and initiatives to sustain and improve the quality of life for the Waverley community. 

Waverley Council operates within the boundaries of its Local Government Area, covering 9km2 along Sydney's eastern suburbs of Bronte, Tamarama and Bondi, north to Dover Heights and Rose Bay, west to Queens Park, Bondi Junction and Charing Cross, and south to Bronte. 

For more information on Waverley Council, visit www.waverley.nsw.gov.au