Sydney Summer: Cronulla

Cronulla is a beachside suburb and is located 26 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD.
Cronulla is a popular tourist attraction and attracts many beachgoers from all over Sydney. Cronulla Beach features a long stretch of sand that runs from Boat Harbour to North Cronulla, followed by rock pools and another sandy beach at South Cronulla. The beaches of Cronulla from north to south are: Boat Harbour, Wanda Beach, Elouera Beach, North Cronulla Beach, Cronulla Beach, Blackwoods Beach, Shelly Beach and Oak Park.The beaches are perfect recreational areas for swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, bodysurfing and other water sports.

Cronulla is derived from kurranulla, meaning ‘‘place of the pink seashells’’ in the dialect of the area's Aboriginal inhabitants.
Surfing plays a major role in Cronulla. Famous professional surfer and 1999 world champion Mark Occhilupo grew up surfing in Cronulla.



Cronulla is part of Sutherland Shire. This suburb has a smaller proportion of overseas-born residents and less diversity in the range of countries of birth, relative to other parts of Sydney. About 80% of Sutherland Shire residents are born in Australia, followed by those born in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa. The percentage of residents claiming Australian ancestry is among the highest in Sydney.



















History: Cronulla Riots

In December 2005, violent incidents occurred on Cronulla Beach, culminating in a gang bashing of a White Australian lifeguard by Lebanese Australian Youth, and subsequent gang bashing of another White Australian 3 days later at Cronulla. An anonymous message was sent out by SMS, that was publicised by all major media outlets in Australia, that everyone should gather at Cronulla beach on the following Sunday and attack "wogs and lebs". In the days that followed, a series of riots and counter riots broke out in Cronulla and other beach side suburbs in Sydney's east which saw numerous assaults and gang bashings. There was only minor property damage, and one non fatal stabbing, although there were many people arrested and extensive national and international media interest.
from Wikipedia