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Maroubra is a beachside suburb in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is 10 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Randwick. Maroubra is the largest suburb in the area governed by Randwick City Council in both area and population.[2] Maroubra Junction is a locality in the centre of the suburb.

History
1800s

Maroubra is a local Aboriginal word meaning place of thunder. In 1861, the first house was built in the area by Humphrey McKeon. A number of other settlers arrived on the land in the 1870s to work on the wool scouring works located at the northern end of the bay.[3]
The Hereward wrecked on Maroubra Beach, May 1898

The suburb first made headlines on 6 May 1898, when the Hereward, a fully rigged iron ship weighing 1,513 tons, was caught by the gale force winds and shipwrecked at the northern end of Maroubra Beach while heading north toward Newcastle.[citation needed] The shipwreck remained on the beach for a number of years until a failed attempt to refloat it was made by building a coffer dam around the wreck. Hereward Street in Maroubra is named after the event.
1900s
Maroubra Beach circa 1900

Major residential development only began in the 1910s after Herbert Dudley, a real estate developer, subdivided the land into residential blocks. Herbert Dudley also lobbied for the extension of the tramline to Maroubra Junction in 1912, where he had built Dudley's Emporium which has just recently been redeveloped. More crown land was released for residential use in the 1920s and the tram line was extended to Maroubra Beach in 1921.[citation needed]

Between 1925 and 1934, the Olympia Motor Speedway was located in South Maroubra at the corner of Anzac Parade and Fitzgerald Avenue. However, due to the dangerous nature of the concrete track, a number of deaths occurred and it was closed after only nine years of operation. Coral Sea Park and surrounding estates was announced on the site in 1947 and formally completed in 1961. The estates and park was given its namesake from the 1942 battle; The battle of the Coral Sea.[4]
2000s

In 2005, Maroubra was named as one of the suburbs involved in the Cronulla Riots, after more than 100 cars were vandalised in relation to the riots between Middle Eastern and Anglo youth.[5] In 2006, Maroubra Beach became the second Australian beach to be named a National Surfing Reserve (the first beach being Bells Beach in Victoria).[6] It is also an incredibly popular place for people learning to surf [7] due to its beginner friendly conditions.
2010s

On 1 December 2014, Australian police have urged the mother of a baby found dead and buried in the sand at Maroubra beach to come forward. It only comes days after cyclists found a newborn baby abandoned in a stormwater drain in western Sydney. The mother of the boy has been charged with attempted murder. Her case is expected to be heard in court on 12 December.[8]
Retail
Duffy's Corner: One of the recently refurbished commercial strips along Anzac Parade
Maroubra Junction and surrounding areas

Maroubra Junction is one of the main shopping areas in the district and is home to Pacific Square shopping centre (built on the area once known as Stockland Mall, Maroubra). Pacific Square shopping centre has an outdoor eating area on Anzac Parade, Coles and Aldi supermarkets, Glamabags, many specialty shops as well as being home to the area's Australia Post outlet.[9] Commercial developments are also found along Anzac Parade, Maroubra Road and surrounding streets, including Dudley's Emporium which was the first shopping centre in Maroubra Junction built in 1912 and has been recently redeveloped.
Maroubra Beach and surrounds

There are also a handful of shopping districts besides Maroubra Junction including the areas surrounding Maroubra Beach. One of them including the once-thriving Lexington Place. Known as "Lexo" to the locals, Lexington Place has become a notorious 'no go zone' in the area as result of high rates of crime, often blamed on the high concentration of Housing Commission estates.[10] McKeon Street is the street running straight onto the beach, it is home to a stretch of shops including some well known restaurants in the area.
South Maroubra

South Maroubra Shopping Village, known as "The Village", is located in South Maroubra and is home to many well-known shops including a late night pharmacy, Walsh's Pharmacy as well as Maroubra's only Woolworths supermarket.It is also next door to the well known Sands Hotel. The Village and South Maroubra Village Green are home to the Christmas Carols every year.[11][12][13][14] The once prominent Duffy's Corner is located on the border of Maroubra (South Maroubra end), Matraville and Malabar.
Hotels
Maroubra Junction Hotel
Current

Glasshouse (Since 1947) – The licence of the Golden Grove Hotel was transferred from Darlington to new premises on the corner of Anzac Parade and Boyce Road, Maroubra Junction in February 1947. The hotel has more recently changed its name to the Glasshouse Hotel.[15]
The Sands Hotel (Since 1972) – A hotel in South Maroubra alongside South Maroubra Shopping Village.
Maroubra Junction Hotel (Unknown Opening Date)- A hotel in Maroubra Junction across Maroubra Road from Pacific Square.
Ocean View Tavern (Since 2010) – In an attempt to popularise the mostly vacant area surround Maroubra Beach, the Maroubra Bay Hotel premises was revitalised and re-opened under the name of the Ocean View Tavern.[16]
Juniors @ The Junction (Since 2009) – The result of a merger with South Sydney Junior Rugby League Club (Kingsford) and the struggling Maroubra Returned and Services League (RSL) Club. The club is on the site of the former Maroubra RSL club on Anzac Parade and Haig Street.[17]

Former

Maroubra Bay Hotel (1926–2010) – Popular after World War I due to the extension of the tram line to the beach, the construction of a promenade and bathing sheds. Due to a downturn in trade the hotel closed in early 2010.
Trade Winds (1972–2002) – Maroubra Junction on Maroubra Road. 2002 saw the hotel converted into apartments. The Trade Winds Brasserie is all that's left of the old hotel.
Maroubra RSL (2000[18]–2009) – The struggling Maroubra Returned and Services League (RSL) Club merged with South Sydney Junior Leagues Club in order to keep the premise open due to poor income. It was reopened under the name "Juniors @ The Junction".[17]

Transport
Roads
Main article: Anzac Parade, Sydney

Anzac Parade leads directly from Moore Park to La Perouse through Maroubra Junction via Kensington and Kingsford. Anzac Parade begins at the end Flinders and Oxford Streets which leads traffic out of the CBD. Cleveland Street runs onto Anzac Parade connecting the inner-city suburbs such as Surry Hills, Darlington and Camperdown as well as Central Station and Railway Square to Maroubra.
Buses
Metrobus10 originates and terminates at Maroubra Junction and Leichhardt

Regular bus services run from Maroubra Junction to the city including route numbers 394, 399, 396 and 397. The 394 and 399 originate from La Perouse and Little Bay (respectively) while 396 and 397 originate from Maroubra Beach and South Maroubra, respectively.

The 400 and 410 run from Maroubra Junction in two directions; Bondi Junction, Randwick and Waverley to the north and Eastgardens, the airport, Rockdale and Burwood to the south. Central Station and Railway Square can be accessed through the Railway Square buses (393 and 395) as well as the Metro10 bus service which goes through the inner-city, past Queen Victoria Building and continues along Broadway to provide services to the University of Sydney and Leichhardt. Other services run through Maroubra providing locals with routes into more suburban areas such as Coogee, South Coogee, and Randwick.
Light Rail

There is currently a campaign by the Randwick City Council, UNSW and Royal Randwick racecourse for a light rail to run down Anzac Parade past Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Cricket Ground and ending at the University of NSW, with hopes to one day extend the network to Maroubra.[19]
Trams
Main article: Trams in Sydney

The former Maroubra tram line opened from Anzac Parade to Maroubra Bay in 1921. The line branched off the main line to La Perouse at the intersection of Anzac Parade and Maroubra Road, travelling east along Maroubra Road, Cooper Street, French Street and Mons Avenue before terminating in a balloon loop in Marine Parade at Maroubra Bay Beach. The line was double track throughout, and passed through several tram reservations on its descent down to the beach. Direct services operated from Circular Quay and Railway Square. The line closed in 1961. The current route of bus 397 now covers this route.
Heritage listings

Due to the age of the suburb there are 34 sites formally recognised by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage as providing a "sense of continuity and belonging to the place where we live".[20] None of these sites, however, have been protected under Section 136 of the NSW Heritage Act.[21]
Media

Maroubra is within the reporting and circulation boundaries of the South-Eastern Suburbs newspaper; "Southern Courier" which is owned and distributed by News Limited. Maroubra was home to the set of the television series Heartbreak High which was filmed at Maroubra Bay High School after its closure.
Sport and recreation

A number of well-known sporting teams represent the local area. One of them is the well known NRL club named the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Maroubra Lions some other teams are Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club, Maroubra Bodyboard Club and Maroubra Surf Riders Club.

The South Maroubra Dolphins Winter Swimming Club and Maroubra Seals Winter Swimming Club swim at Wylie's Baths and compete against Bondi Icebergs Winter Swimming Club, Cottesloe Crabs, Cronulla Polar Bears Winter Swimming Club, Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club, Clovelly Eskimos Winter Swimming Club, Bronte Splashers, Wollongong Whales and Coogee Penguins Winter Swimming Club in the Winter Swimming Association of Australia Championships[22]

Maroubra Beach is listed as a national surfing reserve, as a result, it has played host to many surfing competitions. The most notable of which was the 2004 Snickers Australian Open where then-six time world champion Kelly Slater won. The event was covered in the Bra Boys movie, Bra Boys: Blood is Thicker than Water.
Other events

Due to the large size of Maroubra beach, it has also been used for sports other than surfing. One of the more highly covered events was the 2007 Beach Cricket series which saw Maroubra Beach play home to Round Three of the series between Australia, England and West Indies. The round saw Australia and England progress to the finals which were played the following day, again at Maroubra.
Religion
Wild Street Anglican Church, Maroubra

Christian

Holy Family Catholic Church - originally St Aidan's Catholic Church
St. Mary & St. Joseph Catholic Church
Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church
St Johns Anglican Church
St Edmund's Anglican Church (also known as Wild Street Church)
Maroubra Baptist Church
Salvation Army Maroubra
Maroubra Presbyterian Church
Maroubra Junction Uniting Church
Maroubra Bay Uniting Church
C3 Church Maroubra

Other

AuGuang Maitreya
Kingsford Maroubra Hebrew Orthodox Congregation [23]

Healthcare

Maroubra is located close to the Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick. As a result, there a several clinics and out-patient services run by Prince of Wales Hospital located in Maroubra, such as the Maroubra Centre that provides support to people living with mental illness. Maroubra is also home to a NSW Ambulance station; located on Mons Avenue near Maroubra Beach.
Schools
Current

St Spyridon College
Lycée Condorcet (The International French School Of Sydney)
Maroubra Bay Public School
Maroubra Junction Public School
Mount Sinai College
South Sydney High School
St Aidan's Primary School
St Mary St Joseph Primary School
Marist College Pagewood
Our Lady of the Annuciation Primary School

Closed

Maroubra Junction High School

Premises now in use by Lycée Condorcet

Maroubra Bay High School

Premises no longer existent - residential estate in place of former grounds. Famous for being the school used for the TV Series Heartbreak High.

Brigidine College Maroubra

Moved to Randwick and became Brigidine College Randwick. The grounds have since been redeveloped into St Brigid's Green, a retirement village.

Maroubra Beach and parklands
Maroubra Beach
Mahon Pool

Maroubra Beach stretches for approximately 1 km on Maroubra Bay. Mahon Pool is located north of the beach, near Mistral Point. There are two surf clubs at Maroubra: Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club and South Maroubra Surf Life Saving Club. Arthur Byrne Reserve sits behind both these clubs. A skating park is located at the southern end of Maroubra Beach.

Maroubra has a few large parklands, the most popular being the reserve along the waterfont at Maroubra Beach, called Arthur Byrne Reserve. The reserve has an enclosed children's playground to the north of the blue Pavilion building at North Maroubra, close to the car park. There are barbecue facilities and tables for picnickers. There are public ablution facilities inside the blue Pavilion building. Arthur Byrne Reserved is the home to the Oktoberfest/Fun Run every year.[24]

Heffron Park, on Fitzgerald Avenue and between Bunnerong Road and Robey Street is a particularly large park. It accommodates the Des Renford Aquatic Centre with indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, sports fields, parklands, and a two kilometre cycle track which is used for time trials and is accessible for public use at other times.

Nagle Park, on Wild Street between Walsh Street and Holden Street, is a flat parkland equipped for use as a sports facility. It is also a popular dog park, with dogs permitted off-lead.

Snape Park, on Snape Street between Hannan and Percival Streets is equipped with popular tennis facilities and sports fields and is frequently used for organised sporting events.

Central Park, at the corner of Cooper and Storey Streets, has a flat parkland with an excellent bicycle track for young children built of smooth concrete. This park also has playground equipment.

Coral Sea Park, south of Yorktown Parade, has a flat area that provides several sports fields. It has playground equipment at its south end.
Demographics

In the 2011 Census, there were 29,594 people in Maroubra. 44.0% were married and 10.1% were either divorced or separated. 31.7% of people had both parents born in Australia and 56.8% of people had both parents born overseas. 55.9% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Greek 5.7%, Cantonese 5.3%, Mandarin 4.5%, Indonesian 3.4% and Russian 2.0%.[1]

The most common ancestries in Maroubra were Australian 16.3%, English 15.7%, Chinese 11.7%, Irish 7.5% and Greek 6.0%. 51.6% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) 4.3%, Indonesia 3.5%, England 3.2%, Hong Kong (SAR of China) 2.2% and New Zealand 2.0%.[1]

The most common responses for religion were Catholic 29.9%, no religion 19.0%, Anglican 11.2%, Eastern Orthodox 9.0% and Judaism 5.5%.[1]
Notable residents

Bob Carr, former New South Wales Premier
Surfer Koby Abberton (Bra Boys)
Yvonne Strahovski, Actress on Chuck
Reni Maitua, NRL Player for the Parramatta Eels; former player for Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Cronulla Sharks
John Sutton, NRL player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs
Michael Whitney, TV personality (Sydney Weekender, Who Dares Wins) and former Test Cricket Player for the NSW Blues and Australia
Michael Daley, Current Member of the Maroubra State Electorate
Tilly Devine, Sydney crime identity
John Flaus, Australian film academic and theorist, actor, anarchist and raconteur
Manu Feildel, Australian Television Show My Kitchen Rules judge
Guy Sebastian, an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter. He was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003.[25]

Maroubra, New South Wales

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