The History of Manly Beach - Paper Example

Introduction

Sydney has breath taking beaches because of its perch along the east coast of Australia. Manly Beach deservedly gets the attention of being one of the best beaches in Sydney. The beach is an Australia's most popular suburban beaches along Sydney's long stretch of northern coastline. It span from the premiers beach resort to the Palm Beach in the northern coastal peninsula. The beach attracts over 8 million tourists annually to experience the refreshing ocean breeze, the golden sand, whale-watching cruises, biking, surfing, snorkeling and other fun activities. Although Manly Beach is primarily recognized as a tourist destination, it is a good site to promote their history and culture of the Guringai people.

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Manly Beach primarily lies in the traditional land of the Guringai people. These tradition aboriginal people are considered to be the original inhabitants of the inner eastern Harbor regions and northern Sydney (Manly Travelers Guide, 2018). The beach was given its name in 1788 by Captain Arthur Phillip during his tour of the Botany Bay while looking for the suitable settlement. Arthur named the harbor Manly after he spotted a group of aboriginals who seemed manly and confidence in their behavior. The men were the Guringai people from the Kay-ye-my clan. People began to settle in the region about 1820 and by 1850, Henry Gilbert, a man who is credited for developing Manly, had a vision of developing the beach as one of the best seaside resort in Australia (Manly Travelers Guide, 2018). In 1853, Henry, conquered land and wharf that led to a regular steamer of services in Manly. Through technological advancement, steamers took over from ferries and the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company started to promote its ferry services in the region (Manly Travelers Guide, 2018). The company also built attractions such as the Manly Fun Pier, bathing pavilion, and a large ocean pool. Today, a number of cruise and ferry companies operate in Manly and this has made the region cement is position as one of the most popular seaside resort in Sidney since 1902. Today, Manly has become a world class seaside resort and the birthplace of surfing in Australia.

The Aboriginals (Guringai People)

The Guringai are believed to be the original inhabitants of Manly beach in Sydney. The tribe inhabited the highland in 1788 and, they were made of about 40 to 60 people living in smaller extended families (Pittwater, 2017). The Guringai clan lived around the northern shores of Sydney and their lifestyle was based on total kinship and they used their environment to the maximum. The aboriginal people had traditions which they carried out in perfect balance based on their spirituality and rituals. Some of these traditions are being practiced today such as the Guringai Festivals, which aims to raise the awareness of the aboriginals living in Northern Sydney. The festival involves reconciliation and council groups, talks, films, performances, traditional bush foods and medicines, art exhibitions, and workshops (Pittwater, 2017). The history of the aboriginals has also been told through legends, myths, dances, and stories. For example, the area of Manly has aboriginal sites with evidences of their past and life before colonization (Pittwater, 2017). Therefore, the Guringai people always honor their land and pay respect to the elders past and present. All their sites are significant and valued because of the link with their culture.

Digital Trends and Mobile Technology

The city of Sydney and its surrounding laid out a strategy to produce a sustainable city by 2030. This takes the advantage of the broad technological changes and innovations that influence how people interact and preserve their interactions (Frith & Kalin, 2016). The cities road map aim to change its digital environment and enhance the competitiveness and livelibility of city. For example, people can use mobile device interfaces within the public transport system to check information of service availability. This has changed the movement patterns and how people interact with the physical places since access of information on services has been made easier through digital way-finding public domain design. In Many beaches people can access transport information and ticketing using their mobile devices to ensure real-time location based data, payment options and touch free ticket validation. Thus, the integration of digital technology within the transport sector and public domain has helped to improve movements and address operational issues around the Manly beach.

Contemporary media is keen on how technology companies such as Spotify, Snapchat, Google, and Facebook influence the social technical practices through the internet (Ozkul & Humphreys, 2015). For example, the locals are able to get daily news about Manly on its Facebook page and many people continue to share their experiences through Facebook reviews about their interaction with the destination. Thus, the people integrate well with Manly beach and they are always willing to visit again to enjoy the natural beauty and catch both the sunrise and sunset, something that has been enjoyed since the days of the first settlers. This shows the community support and the approval of the region as the best tourism destination in Australia.

Personal connections are evident through the swimming groups, cafes and bars, fishing groups, surfing groups, paddle boarding, and cruising. For many, Manly beaches have become a village where you get to know new people and become a part of a great community. Fr example, when you walk along the beach, you may come across many old and new friends. Most Facebook reviews on Manly beaches have shown that it is the most beautiful part of the world to spend with your family, go on vacation, and have a beautiful experience. Thus, this insight will be important in promoting the history of Manly beaches and culture of Guringai People and give them a specific significance of memory and values relating with it.

References

Frith, J., & Kalin, J. (2016). Here, I used to be: Mobile media and practices of place-based digital memory. Space and Culture, 19(1), 43-55.

Manly Travelers Guide. (2018). History of Manly. Retrieved from https://www.manlytravellersguide.com.au/history-of-manly/

Ozkul, D., & Humphreys, L. (2015). Record and remember: Memory and meaning-making practices through mobile media. Mobile Media & Communication, 3(3), 351-365.

Pittwater. (3 June, 2017). Guringai Festival 2017: Pittwater and Surrounds. Retrieved from:

http://www.pittwateronlinenews.com/Guringai-Festival-2017-Pittwater-and-Surrounds.php