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Maroubra Triathlete Determined to Race Again After Crash Leaves Him With Life-Changing Injuries

Thales Henrique da Silva Souza, a 26-year-old triathlete who has lived in Maroubra for seven years, is recovering at home after being struck by a car while cycling through Sydney’s south, sustaining injuries that required a 12-hour jaw reconstruction surgery, a second surgery on his arm and a nerve block in his spine.

The incident allegedly occurred on Princes Highway in Engadine near the intersection of Anzac Avenue at around 8am on Sunday 19 April. Police confirmed a 34-year-old woman driver was uninjured and was arrested at the scene and taken to Sutherland Hospital for mandatory testing. A Sutherland Shire Police spokesperson confirmed the investigation is ongoing.

More than $34,000 has since been raised through a GoFundMe campaign to support Thales and his partner Isabelle Molinari Fontes with medical expenses and living costs.

Three days unconscious, a jaw held together by rubber bands

Thales was three hours into a cycling journey when the alleged collision occurred. Other cyclists at the scene told Isabelle that a car struck him from behind and kept driving before stopping when members of the group gave chase.

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The injuries were severe. Thales lost approximately half his teeth, broke six ribs and was left with rubber bands holding his reconstructed jaw together. He lay unconscious in hospital for three days while Isabelle waited.

“The first three days were the worst,” she said. “Doctors said he might wake up in two days or two months, or might not recognise who I am.”

The first signs of recovery arrived in small moments. “The first moment when he squeezed the doctor’s hand, we were all so excited,” Isabelle said. “When he asked for me and said my name, I thought ‘Thank God’.”

A couple who built their life in Maroubra

Thales and Isabelle met as high-school sweethearts and have lived together in Maroubra for seven years, part of a community they have put down genuine roots in. The impact of the incident has extended beyond Thales’s physical recovery, with both of them out of work due to the full-time care required during his rehabilitation.

Thales is currently on a liquid diet and cannot put weight on his injured arm. He does not remember the collision itself.

*Photo Credit: @thales_henriquess/Instagram*

Despite all of it, his competitive instincts remain intact. He is still targeting a return to elite triathlon competition later this year. “It’s still on the cards,” he said.

His response to the community fundraising effort has been one of genuine gratitude. “It’s amazing what they did,” he said. “I don’t have the words to say thank you.”

How to support Thales

The GoFundMe campaign for Thales and Isabelle remains active.

Anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage of the Princes Highway, Engadine incident on the morning of Sunday 19 April is asked to contact Sutherland Shire Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Published 3-June-2026

Plans Filed for 120-Apartment Tower and Childcare Centre Near Maroubra Junction

Plans have been lodged for a 10-storey residential and childcare development in the heart of Maroubra, with a property developer seeking approval to build 120 apartments and a 120-place childcare centre on Maroubra Road.

Read: Maroubra Childcare Centre Begins Again After 15-Month Recovery

The State Significant Development application, filed through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway by Bridgewell Capital, covers an amalgamated 3,270-square-metre site at 251-257 Maroubra Road and 133-135 Garden Street, roughly 200 metres east of the Maroubra Junction intersection with Anzac Parade.

If approved, the proposal would see a mechanic’s workshop and several detached homes demolished to make way for a 10-storey building sitting above four basement levels. The project is designed by BKA Architecture and lodged concurrently with a rezoning request that would lift the maximum building height on the site from 12 metres to 35.6 metres and increase the floor space ratio to 4.02:1, according to the NSW Planning Portal.

Affordable housing and family-sized apartments on the agenda

Photo credit: BKA Architecture /NSW Planning Portal

Of the 120 apartments proposed, 27 would be designated as affordable housing units, to be managed by a community housing provider for a period of 15 years. The apartment mix is weighted toward two and three-bedroom dwellings, with planning documents citing demand from families and downsizers in the Randwick local government area. A total of 203 basement car spaces and 92 bicycle spaces are also included in the scheme.

A childcare centre occupying close to 900 square metres would be positioned at ground level, with capacity for 120 children and 22 staff. Communal open space is proposed on the first level, while planning documents note that upper-floor apartments would have views toward Port Botany, Maroubra Beach and Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Gateway site close to transport and shopping

The site sits within one of Randwick City Council’s identified strategic centres and is close to Pacific Square Shopping Centre, major bus routes, schools and parks. The development aligns with the Randwick City Council Masterplan for the area and has been described in planning documents as a “gateway proposal” that responds to Maroubra’s urban character and its proximity to the town centre.

Read: Maroubra Aged Care Precinct Approved After Major Plan Revision

BKA Architecture’s Design Report notes the building has been conceived to reinforce Maroubra Road as a civic spine, with setbacks and articulation intended to ease the transition between the commercial activity of Maroubra Junction and the lower-scale residential streets nearby. New landscaping and improved pedestrian interfaces along the street frontage are also proposed as part of the scheme.

The application has been filed through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway, which was established to fast-track higher-density housing near transport and town centres across the state. The application is currently listed on the NSW Planning Portal under the major projects register.

Published 29-May-2026

Free Life Jackets Introduced in Maroubra After Decades of Rock Fishing Deaths

A free Life Jacket Library to help prevent more drownings along Sydney’s dangerous coastline has been launched in Maroubra, after 24 rock fishing deaths in over 25 years.

The new Life Jacket Library began operating in May through a partnership between Surf Life Saving NSW, Randwick City Council and the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

The program allows fishers to borrow life jackets for free from the Des Renford Leisure Centre in Maroubra before heading to nearby rock platforms at Little Bay, Malabar and La Perouse. Staff members at the Des Renford Leisure Centre also help visitors fit life jackets correctly before they head to nearby fishing areas.

Free Borrow-and-Return System Set Up Near Fishing Hotspots

The Life Jacket Library operates through a simple check-in and return process during leisure centre opening hours. Visitors scan a QR code before borrowing a jacket, with the system also providing safety advice about fitting life jackets correctly, reading swell conditions and preparing for emergencies.

The initiative was funded through the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s rock fishing safety program, which supports community projects aimed at reducing preventable drownings.

Surf Life Saving NSW chief executive Steve Pearce said the program was designed to remove barriers that stop people from using basic safety equipment. He noted that many fishers, including visitors and newcomers, either do not own life jackets or underestimate the risks involved along the coastline.

Under NSW rock fishing laws, people fishing from declared rock platforms are legally required to wear life jackets. Fines can apply to those who fail to comply.

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A post shared by Randwick City Council (@randwickcouncil)

Deadly Swells Continue to Claim Lives Along Sydney’s Coast

Rock fishing remains one of the most dangerous recreational activities in Australia, especially along the NSW coastline, where unpredictable waves, slippery rock shelves and sudden changes in swell conditions have contributed to repeated drownings.

Data from Surf Life Saving Australia and the Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report shows coastal drownings linked to rock platforms continue to affect communities across the state each year. Surf Life Saving NSW reported 10 rock fishing and rock platform-related drownings between July 2024 and June 2025. Another 10 deaths had already been recorded during the current 2025-26 season.

The Randwick local government area has remained one of the country’s highest-risk regions for rock fishing deaths because of its exposed coastline and heavily used fishing spots.

Little Bay AI Cameras Added to Broader Safety Push

Less than 10 minutes from Maroubra, another coastal safety project is already being tested at Little Bay, where Surf Life Saving NSW has introduced AI-assisted cameras near a dangerous rock platform.

The technology is being used to improve emergency response times and monitor activity in areas known for rough surf and sudden wave surges. The trial forms part of a wider safety campaign that includes community education sessions, multilingual outreach programs and partnerships with local councils.

Research from Beach Safety Hub and Royal Life Saving Australia has repeatedly shown that wearing a life jacket can significantly improve survival chances during rock fishing accidents, especially when people are swept into open water.

Safety Efforts Aim to Prevent More Coastal Tragedies

Authorities hope easier access to safety gear will encourage more people to wear life jackets before entering dangerous rock platforms around Maroubra and surrounding beaches.

Community groups involved in the project say the goal is simple: helping more fishers return home safely after a day by the water.

Published 25-May-2026

Maroubra Residents Raise Concerns Over Footpaths and Transport Access

Photo Credit: Picryl

From uneven footpaths to limited seating and transport access, residents across Maroubra, Randwick and Coogee have identified the barriers they say still affect daily life for people with disability.

The draft Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2026–2030 is on public exhibition, with community feedback continuing online as local consultation activities near their closing stages. Residents involved in consultation events linked to the plan have until May 30 to take part in some local engagement activities or submit comments through the Your Say platform.

The plan will guide how the city improves accessibility, inclusion and community participation over the next four years. It covers public spaces, transport access, employment, communication, emergency information and council services.

Council documents show residents raised concerns about crowded footpaths, uneven walkways, limited seating areas, inaccessible buildings and difficulties moving through busy public areas. Community members also pointed to challenges faced by people with autism, psychosocial disability and other hidden disabilities that are not always recognised in public settings.

Maroubra Feedback Focuses on Footpaths and Transport

Residents from Maroubra and surrounding suburbs raised concerns about public transport connections, crossing safety and pathways that are difficult for wheelchair users, older residents and people using mobility aids.

The draft plan proposes future work on accessible walkways, inclusive playgrounds, clearer signage and improvements to community facilities including libraries and public buildings.

Residents also asked for more sensory-friendly events and public spaces that allow people with disability to participate without feeling excluded or overwhelmed.

Randwick Residents Push for Better Access to Services

The draft plan outlines proposals to improve how residents access information and services across Randwick.

Council said many people found systems linked to disability support, health services and emergency information difficult to navigate. An Easy Read version of the draft plan explains that Council wants more residents with disability involved in leadership and community decision-making.

The consultation also highlighted concerns from carers and young carers who said support services and community participation can still be difficult to access locally.

Coogee Consultation Raises Concerns About Shared Spaces

Consultation linked to Coogee community events included feedback from LGBTQIA+ residents with disability, carers and local organisations. The engagement process also involved groups including Coogee Pride, Windgap, Fit and Able, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, Flourish Australia and Jewish House.

Residents said busy shared pathways, beach access and crowded public areas can create stress and safety issues for people with mobility needs or sensory sensitivities. Concerns were also raised about signage, lighting, public toilets and access to seating near coastal areas.

Council’s engagement report found many residents wanted accessibility to become part of everyday planning decisions rather than being treated as an afterthought.

According to the draft plan, council staff also heard from older residents, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, carers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents and schools with specialist support units.

More Than 500 Residents Took Part in Earlier Consultation

Between December 2025 and March 2026, Randwick did focus groups, drop-in sessions, surveys, workshops and interviews for this draft plan. More than 500 people contributed through community meetings, surveys and interviews.

Four main areas were the focus of these consulations: attitudes and behaviours, liveable communities, employment, and systems and processes.

Residents can continue providing feedback through the council’s Your Say Randwick page before the consultation period closes.

Published 25-May-2026

Meteor Seen From Maroubra Turns Sydney Sky Blue-Green

Photo Credit: petrovski11121984/YouTube

A meteor seen from Maroubra turned the Sydney night sky blue-green for a few seconds, giving beach cameras, motorists and evening onlookers across eastern Australia a sudden view of a fireball moving through the atmosphere.

A Sudden Flash Over Maroubra

The night sky over Maroubra Beach changed in an instant when a bright meteor passed through the atmosphere, lighting the coastline in a burst of blue-green light.

Surf camera footage from Sydney’s east captured the moment at about 6:30 pm, showing the water and shoreline briefly illuminated before the flash faded. Smoke-like trails were visible in the sky soon after, adding to the unusual scene seen from the coast.

The fireball appeared on Thursday night, 21 May 2026, and was reported well beyond Maroubra. Sightings came from across Sydney, regional NSW, Canberra and parts of Queensland, turning a brief natural event into a shared moment for people who happened to be looking up, driving home, playing sport or reviewing camera footage afterwards.

Maroubra Meteor Seen Far Beyond The Coast

The meteor seen from Maroubra was also reported across Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the Inner West, Randwick, Malabar, Bondi and Newcastle. Further inland, sightings were reported from Mudgee, Bathurst, Junee and Jugiong, while other community reports described the flash around Lithgow, Rylstone, Dunedoo, Windeyer, Botobolar, Grattai, Goolma Road and Hill End Road.

In Sydney’s Northern Beaches, a golfer filming his swing captured the fireball crossing the sky in the background. Dashcam footage also recorded the meteor from Sydney roads, including the M5 and areas around Bondi and Eastern Creek.

In Canberra, the flash appeared at the start of an Australia Cup Qualifier between Queanbeyan City and Canberra Croatia, briefly turning attention from the match to the sky.

Across the accounts, the same details appeared repeatedly: a sudden brightening, a green-blue glow, and a flash strong enough to make parts of the sky look momentarily lit.

Why The Fireball Changed Colour

Astrophysicist and cosmologist Dr Brad Tucker identified the object as a meteor and linked its blue-green colour to iron and nickel. The bright flash suggested the object likely fractured as pressure built while it travelled through the atmosphere.

The meteor was estimated at about 30 to 50 centimetres in size based on its brightness. Its colours appeared differently depending on where people saw it, with some accounts describing blue and green tones and others seeing silver or orange.

Amateur astronomer David Finaly described the event as a fireball, a bright type of meteor capable of lighting the night sky. The colour variation may have depended on the object’s temperature, its position near the horizon, the viewing angle and atmospheric conditions.

A Brief Natural Display Across Eastern Australia

No injuries or property damage were reported after the meteor was seen across eastern Australia.

The surf camera footage gave the event a strong coastal image: a dark beach suddenly lit by a passing fireball. For others, it was caught by dashcams, sports livestreams and personal cameras, leaving behind a record of a brief but widely noticed night-sky event.

Published 22-May-2026

Locals Fear Parking Changes Could Alter Maroubra’s Character

Opposition to the proposed paid beach parking scheme is continuing to grow in Maroubra, where residents and business owners say the changes could reshape the character of the suburb and make beach access harder for families.

The proposal would introduce paid parking for visitors near beaches across Randwick’s coastline, including Maroubra Beach. Residents would receive free permits under the scheme, although Council is now reviewing how many permits each household would receive after strong public backlash.

The parking changes are intended to help cover rising beach maintenance costs and improve parking turnover in busy coastal areas. According to council figures, annual maintenance costs across local beaches total about $23 million.

Longtime Residents Reject ‘Pay to Visit the Beach’

Many Maroubra residents say the proposal conflicts with the suburb’s long-standing beach culture and community identity. A longtime resident recalled earlier attempts to introduce parking meters in Maroubra decades ago also faced strong resistance from locals.

Several residents have also raised concerns about larger households with multiple vehicles and the impact paid parking may have on visiting family members, workers and younger drivers.

Maroubra Businesses Fear Changes to Local Atmosphere

Business owners near Maroubra Beach are also watching the proposal closely amid concerns parking charges could discourage people from spending time in the area.

Some owners said they were already facing difficult conditions and feared higher parking costs could affect regular customer visits. The residents have also expressed concern the changes could shift the atmosphere of Maroubra toward a more tourist-focused beach culture similar to other parts of Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

South Maroubra Chamber of Commerce president Richard Walsh said expectations that parking meters would solve congestion problems during summer weekends were unrealistic.

Randwick Council has not yet announced when a final version of the parking proposal will be presented.

Published 18-May-2026

Maroubra Childcare Centre Begins Again After 15-Month Recovery

Photo Credit: Only About Children Early Learning/Facebook

Children are back inside Only About Children Maroubra, returning to familiar routines in a restored early learning centre 15 months after it was damaged by fire and marked with racist graffiti.

A Return To The Maroubra Centre

The centre’s official reopening on Saturday, 2 May, brought children, families, educators and local community members back to the Maroubra site after an extensive rebuild. The day marked more than the repair of a damaged building. It restored the centre’s role as a place of care, learning and everyday routine for local families.

Children had already begun returning to the fully restored space, settling back into classrooms and surroundings made familiar again after a long period away from the original campus. The centre is now operational and welcoming children back to care.

For families and educators, the reopening followed months of disruption, adjustment and repair. The rebuild took more than 12 months, with care taken to make the centre feel safe again for those returning.

From Attack To Temporary Home

Only About Children Maroubra closed on 21 January 2025 after the centre was set alight and marked with racist graffiti in the early hours of the morning. The attack left the building severely damaged and forced the service to stop operating from its usual campus.

Less than two months later, the preschool reopened temporarily at a nearby community facility. The move allowed children, families and educators to remain connected while the damaged centre was repaired.

The temporary site became part of the centre’s recovery, giving children a place to continue learning while the original Maroubra building was restored.

*Photo Credit: Only About Children Early Learning/Facebook*

A Centre Rebuilt For Everyday Care

The restored centre now gives families and educators a permanent base again. Its reopening closes a difficult stretch for a service that has welcomed families from different backgrounds across the local area for many years.

Saturday’s reopening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a strong family turnout and children’s activities, including face painting. The event carried a celebratory tone, but the main change was practical and immediate: children were back, educators were back, and the centre had resumed care from its restored campus.

Only About Children Maroubra now begins its next chapter after 15 months of disruption, with its classrooms reopened and children once again filling the centre’s daily rhythm.

Published 5-May-2026

Maroubra Aged Care Precinct Approved After Major Plan Revision

Photo Credit: Catholic Healthcare/Facebook

A revised Maroubra seniors housing development has been approved for Malabar Road, reducing an earlier larger scheme while keeping a mix of residential aged care, independent living, assisted living and shared facilities near the coast.

Smaller Maroubra Scheme Approved For Malabar Road

A long-running seniors housing proposal in Maroubra has reached a new milestone, with a revised plan approved for 481–499 Malabar Road after the earlier development was reduced in scale.

The approved modification changes the project from 164 beds to 99 beds. The earlier scheme comprised 108 residential aged care units and 56 independent living units, while the revised plan now comprises 44 residential aged care units, 41 independent living units and 14 assisted living units.

The change reshapes the size and accommodation mix of the precinct while keeping the site focused on seniors housing, care and related shared facilities.

Maroubra seniors housing — *Photo Credit: DA/631/2018/A*

Design Changes Included In The Maroubra Approval

The approved modification includes several changes to the way the Malabar Road site will be arranged and accessed. Gates have been removed from the plan, while the Mons Avenue side of the development has been adjusted to break up the appearance of the built form.

The porte-cochere and basement access previously planned from Mons Avenue have also been removed. Loading and basement vehicle access have instead been consolidated from Malabar Road.

Other changes include alterations to residential aged care facility rooms, a rooftop communal open space and the relocation of the café. The broader precinct is also planned to include community and wellness services, shared areas, renewed landscaping and improved pedestrian connections.

The site is about 300 metres from the beach, placing the project within a coastal part of Maroubra.

seniors housing — *Photo Credit: DA/631/2018/A*

Earlier Approval Was Later Reworked

Catholic Healthcare acquired the Malabar Road site in 2016. An earlier approval was granted in 2019 for a larger development, which included 108 residential aged care units, 56 co-located independent living units and an on-site community and wellness facility.

That plan was later refined after delays linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, the findings of the Aged Care Royal Commission and updated market research into the needs of older people in the Maroubra area.

The revised application was lodged on 5 November 2025 and referred on 3 March 2026. The modification was approved on 8 April 2026.

Catholic Healthcare Plans Wider Investment

The Maroubra project forms part of Catholic Healthcare’s plan to invest more than $600 million over five years into five integrated living communities across New South Wales.

Other developments are under way in Wahroonga, Blacktown and Forbes, with another planned for Lewisham.

The approval sets the revised direction for a smaller seniors housing precinct combining residential aged care, independent living, assisted living, wellness services, communal open space and a café on the Malabar Road site.

Published 28-Apr-2026

Maroubra Locals Raise Concerns on Randwick Parking Changes

Families, tradies and long-time residents in Maroubra rely on beachside street parking, but a proposed shift to paid parking is raising concerns about rising daily costs and whether some can stay in the suburb.

Plans aim to shift cost burden from locals to visitors

The proposal, established in March 2026, plans to introduce paid parking in the beach areas around Randwick, but residents will still be able to apply for permits to park for free. According to the consultation page on Visitor Pay Parking, the move is intended to ease pressure on locals who currently fund the bulk of beach maintenance through rates.

Consultation on the proposal ran from early March to mid-April 2026, with Council indicating a revised version is now being prepared following community feedback.

Maroubra households say limited permits could strain daily life

Many Maroubra households have more than one vehicle, but concerns have centred on how a permit system would work in practice. Council information outlined in its proposal FAQs initially suggested a single free permit per household, prompting feedback from families, carers and share houses who said that would not meet their needs.

For residents who depend on their vehicles for work, including tradespeople, the possibility of paying for street parking near home has been described as impractical. Some have indicated they may need to reconsider living in the area or look for alternatives such as off-site storage.

Small businesses fear fewer customers if parking comes at a cost

Local operators in Maroubra have also raised concerns about the effect on foot traffic. Businesses that rely on nearby residents and visitors driving in for appointments or classes have said that added parking costs could deter customers, particularly for small-scale services.

Community feedback gathered during the consultation period shows strong interest from residents worried about how accessible local services will remain if parking becomes more expensive or harder to secure.

Rising costs and high visitor numbers

Randwick has stated that maintaining its coastline costs about $23.5 million each year, covering services such as lifeguards, waste collection, stormwater management and coastal infrastructure.

In a statement on its website, it said a large share of beach users come from outside the area, with research suggesting visitors make up the majority during peak periods. Council argues that introducing paid parking for non-residents would help fund these services while improving parking turnover, making it easier for locals with permits to find spaces.

Reports cited that similar systems already operate in other Sydney coastal areas.

Thousands respond as consultation draws strong community input

Council meeting documents from April 2026 show that more than 7,000 online submissions and thousands of paper responses were received during consultation, making it one of the largest engagement processes undertaken.

Community campaigns have also emerged, including a petition hosted on Change.org, where residents have expressed concerns about affordability, access and the potential flow-on effects to surrounding streets.

Randwick City Council has indicated it is reviewing feedback and plans to release an updated proposal that may include more flexible permit arrangements. Details on pricing, permit numbers and rollout timing are expected to be clarified once the revised plan is presented to councillors.

Published 27-April-2026

Saved by the Bra Boys: A Maroubra Man’s Story of Recovery

Side-by-Side

Troy Reardon was 23, weighed 65 kilograms, and was using ice every day when a friend knocked on his window one night and told him there was a rehab centre waiting for him. That moment, and the community that made it possible, is why the 33-year-old Maroubra landscaper and youth mentor is still alive today.

Reardon has been sober for nearly a decade. He is now a homeowner, a business owner and a father. He runs a fitness and mentoring programme called Side by Side at Maroubra Beach, has spoken at schools including Waverley College, and is launching a gambling support group that drew 100 sign-ups within 24 hours of being announced.

The through-line connecting all of it is a single group of people: the Bra Boys, the Maroubra surf community whose unwavering support, in his telling, is the reason he is here at all.

“Without some of my Bra Boy friends, I would not be sober today,” Reardon says. “They would drive me to rehab. They took me to detox. They answered the call every single day.”

Growing Up in Maroubra

Reardon grew up in public housing near Maroubra Beach, in a suburb that has always meant something particular. For those who know it, Maroubra is not just a beach. It is a community with a deep, sometimes complicated identity, shaped by generations of working-class families, a fierce local loyalty and the kind of bonds formed when people grow up in proximity and necessity.

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That environment, at its best, produces exactly the kind of connection that saved Reardon’s life. At its most difficult, it was also the context he was navigating as a child.

“I’d come home at the age of 8 and have to resuscitate people who had overdosed in the hallway,” he recalls. His father was largely absent. His mother, who worked three jobs to provide for him, was dealing with her own addiction. Born with a rare birthmark on his head, Reardon was also a target for bullies from a young age, and by 16 he had found a temporary solution in gambling.

“It numbed me. It was a sense of relief. I’d found the solution to my insecurity around my birthmark, my childhood,” he said.

The gambling gave way to cocaine and ecstasy. A first stint in rehab at 19 was followed by a turn to ice. The violence that ran alongside his addiction left him with serious physical injuries, including a stabbing to the jugular in an argument at the beach. He describes the hospitalisation visits across that period as simply “out of this world.”

The Community That Pulled Him Back

The Bra Boys were founded in Maroubra in the 1990s, cemented in the suburb’s surf culture and in the postcode pride that the name reflects. “Bra” is a shortened reference to Maroubra, and partly to the street slang for brother. Members tattoo “My Brother’s Keeper” across the chest, “Bra Boys” and the Maroubra postcode 2035 across their backs.

The Bar Boys — *Photo Credit: @kid_mac/Instagram*

The 2007 documentary Bra Boys: Blood is Thicker than Water, written and directed by members including Sunny Abberton and narrated by Russell Crowe, introduced the group to a national and international audience, drawing on the stories of the Abberton brothers, particularly the surfing notoriety of Koby Abberton.

The group has never been straightforward. Its history includes serious criminal convictions, links to organised crime investigations and documented violence. Reardon does not pretend his years within that world were free of harm. “It was carnage,” he says simply.

But the Bra Boys are also defined by a code of loyalty and mutual support that is real and documented, and it was that side of the group that reached Reardon when he needed it most.

The friend who knocked on his window, who drove him to detox and answered calls during the darkest periods, embodied what the “My Brother’s Keeper” motto has always meant in practice.

“I was super-emotional but I told myself I was going to be OK,” Reardon said of the night he finally accepted help. “I stopped taking drugs but I was still so lost. I knew it was the right choice but the happiness wasn’t there straight away. I just had to go day by day and trust the process.”

From Surviving to Mentoring Hundreds

Nearly a decade of sobriety has given Reardon a platform and a purpose. He now runs a fitness and mentoring program at Maroubra Beach, using his story to connect with young people and steer them away from the path he once took. The program works alongside The 400 Club and other community based fitness groups.

Reardon also leads Side by Side, which builds on this work, and regularly speaks at schools including Waverley College, where his lived experience resonates with students from similar backgrounds.

Giving Back to the Community

He is preparing to launch a gambling support group, which attracted 100 expressions of interest in a single day. The response reflects both the scale of the issue and the trust he has built within the community.

Reardon continues to live in Maroubra by choice, staying close to the place that shaped his life and supported his recovery.

“I’ve broken the cycle,” he said. “My son will never go through what I did.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 (free call, 24 hours). For gambling support, contact Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858. For mental health support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Published 26-April-2026