Sydney is known for its iconic opera house and bridge, but the city also boasts a lesser-known claim to fame: More ocean pools than any other in the world. The seaside baths are beloved by locals and tourists alike, offering a cooling escape from the summer heat. The city’s outdoor swimming culture has a long history, and one of the oldest is set to receive an upgrade.

The Southern two-thirds of the NSW coastline consists of short to medium-length sandy beaches nestled between rocky headlands, providing ideal conditions for public saltwater pools. The sandstone headlands are relatively stable over human time scales, allowing pools to be built without altering the shape of the adjacent beach. And the mild to hot air and water temperatures, fed by the East Australian Current, are ideal for swimming and bathing.

In Coogee, the beautiful tidal pool Wylie’s Baths was established in 1907 by champion swimmer Henry Alexander Wylie and features raised decking built into the cliff face and sweeping views over Wedding Cake Island. There are also several other tidal pools in the area, including the Ladies’ and Children’s Baths in Bondi and Nielsen Park in Vaucluse.

For those considering installing a pool in their backyard, it is important to consider safety standards and regulations. The City of Sydney has strict pool laws, requiring fencing that meets certain specifications and regular inspections and compliance testing. Additionally, homeowners constructing pools should have home building compensation insurance to protect themselves from damage that could occur during construction.

If you’re planning to install a pool in Sydney, it’s essential to choose a reputable pool builder. A reputable company will be able to provide you with the right advice, and they’ll ensure your pool is built according to the highest standards. In addition, they’ll help you navigate the complicated process of obtaining permits and building regulations.

Sydney’s warm and sunny weather makes it a perfect place to install a private pool. But if you want to swim year-round, you’ll need to invest in a heating system. The best option is solar, which uses sunlight to keep your pool warm without wasting energy.

If you’re interested in purchasing a swimming pool, the first step is to find a qualified contractor. A reputable company will have a team of certified engineers and designers who can assist you with the design, installation, and maintenance of your pool. They’ll also offer a variety of options for pool accessories, including cleaning and maintenance products and filtration systems. And they’ll provide you with the best possible prices. They will also assist you with finding a finance package that suits your needs. This will make the entire process easier and less stressful. Ultimately, this will save you time and money. And most importantly, it will ensure that your pool is safe and secure. This is vitally important for your family’s health and wellbeing. It’s a great way to stay active and spend quality time with your loved ones.

A Singapore prize that recognises important publications on history was launched in 2014 as part of the national SG50 programme to mark the country’s 50th anniversary of independence. The NUS Singapore History Prize, which was created to honour works that have made a significant contribution to our understanding of the island nation’s past, carries a top prize of S$50,000 and is open to both local and international scholars.

The first winner of the Singapore prize was archaeologist John Miksic for his work on the early history of Singapore. Miksic’s book explains how literary references and archaeological digs indicate that Temasek was already inhabited long before Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in 1819. He also reveals how discoveries such as glass shards and bronze bowls indicate that the early settlers lived in relative wealth and prosperity.

Another award recipient was poet Cyril Wong, who was honoured for his body of work that examines postcolonial and modernist themes. The author of six books and numerous articles, Wong was educated at the University of Poona and Oxford. He has been a professor of English at Yale-NUS College since 1988 and is the co-founder and director of the Centre for Literature Studies.

Also presented at the ceremony was a special achievement award for Malay writer Suratman Markasan, who died earlier this year. His daughter, Dr Suriani Suratman, accepted the honour on his behalf. The event was held at the Substation Theatre and was supported by the Singapore Film Commission, The Shooting Gallery, Infinite Frameworks Face to Face, Hong Leong Foundation Handburger and Sakae Sushi.

Besides the awards, there was also a celebration of South East Asian cinema and the arts at the Mediacorp Theatre. The evening was hosted by actress Hannah Waddingham and three-time Emmy winning actor Sterling K. Brown and featured performances by Bastille, OneRepublic, Bebe Rexha and Robert Irwin.

This year, the Singapore prize’s theme is “resonance” – the idea that stories have the power to touch people and connect them to the past. Kishore Mahbubani, the senior advisor (university and global relations) at the NUS Asia Research Institute who mooted the idea for the award, said that there are plans to expand the criteria of what can qualify for the prize, such as including films like 12 Years a Slave, which tells a historical story. This is because he believes that sometimes, a shared imagination of the past is “the critical glue holding societies together”.