Phillip Bay 2036

Yarra Bay, located on the northern head of Botany Bay, is historically significant to both the Kamay peoples and European colonisers. In 1901, the bay saw the establishment of Yarra Bay Pleasure Grounds, attracting day trippers for picnics and activities from all over Sydney. In the 1930s, the Great Depression led to the creation of shanty towns. Post-World War II, the area underwent gentrification, with the sorrounding land becoming the small suburb of Phillip Bay. Today, Yarra Bay Sailing Club and Bicentennial Park are key features of this tranquil suburb.

Yarra Bay located on the northern shores of Botany Bay, is a significant site to the peoples of Kamay and in the telling of European colonisation. It was where Captain Arthur Phillip landed in 1788. It is also associated with the doomed French explorer Laperouse, who arrived six days later. Both explorers noted the presence of Aboriginal peoples. The history of this small suburb is entwined with the wider history of the La Perouse peninsula or Gooriwaal. This language word is offered by Maria Nugent from her extensive research on the La Perouse peninsula and northern shores of the bay. 

In 1901, the Yarra Bay Pleasure Grounds were established by the family of George & Ada Howe. Day trippers from across Sydney flocked to the seaside resort location for picnics amongst the extensive ornamental gardens. Fishing, boat rides and sporting activities attracted social work and church gatherings. The Yarra Refreshment Rooms were the venue of choice for Randwick aldermen of the time who used to enjoy feasting on fresh oysters. George Howe was an alderman for South Ward of Randwick Municipality in the lead up to World War One. An extensive number of huts were erected at Yarra Bay which proved popular with campers and fishermen. Old photos from the 1930s indicate that the huts at Yarra Bay were used by fishermen before necessity took over. Fishermen are pictured in the Bay with large hauls of mullet. Whether they had been taught or were watching the local Aboriginal men perform their traditional seasonal mullet run, around nearby Frenchman's Bay, we are yet to be able to verify. The mullet run is a traditional practice which continues to this day, on the northern shores of Kamay.

With the onset of the Great Depression, many homeless and disadvantaged families took up residence in these huts and the shacks became permanent unauthorised accommodation or ‘shanty towns’ across the La Perouse peninsula. These are distinct from the Aboriginal Mission locations. 
With the opening of the Coogee Pier and the onset of the Great Depression, Yarra Bay and the Pleasure Grounds faltered in popularity. George Howe had died in 1916 but the family were carrying on the Yarra Bay resort well after this. A Howe family portrait at Yarra Bay in 1928 survives in the Randwick and District Historical Society collection. Pauline Curby also suggests that ‘pleasure grounds’ in general became less popular as the popularity of mixed bathing and surfing took hold in the twentieth century. The Sir Joseph Banks Pleasure Grounds at Botany, further around the northern shores of the bay, is another example of this type of resort. The Botany example even had its own zoological gardens with elephants and other animals. 

The Yarra Bay Surf Club probably owes its necessary inception to the popularity of the pleasure grounds at Yarra Bay. Yarra Bay House on the peninsula between Frenchman’s Bay and Yarra Bay has a long and complex history of uses. For more detail follow this link Yarra Bay House. Yarra Road is the location of La Perouse Public School, educating local children since 1868. After World War Two, both state local governments were looking to generally ‘clean up’ the south of the municipality of Randwick. Town planners in the post war environment were looking to densify suburban development with the surge in population after the war and the arrival of the ‘Baby Boomers’. Pauline Curby in her research published in 2009 explains the history and politics behind this move. Her research also explores the impact of these ideas on the Aboriginal peoples of La Perouse. Her book can be borrowed or purchased at Randwick City Library.

 
Part of this post war ‘gentrification’ was the naming of the micro, low density suburb surrounding Yarra Bay as Phillip Bay. The bay itself retains the original name. In 1953, Randwick Council erected a stone cairn honouring the place Captain Arthur Phillip's landing place.

Today the Yarra Bay Sailing Club remains as a social hub for the local sailing fraternity and the Bicentennial Park is the suburb’s outdoor terrestrial playground. It is still one of the lowest density, tranquil locations in the City of Randwick.