FathomOz

Well, a partial history up until 1954 of thereabouts.  From newspaper stories which glorified the horrors, as they once did.  Most attacks were in the era before contract beach meshing nets were positioned (not as barriers) and when there were lots of fish to be caught from beaches, especially at night.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/result?q=shark+attack&s=180

Needle-teeth of Grey Nurse sharks were popular trophies in the 1960′s.  Taking a set from that species today, in Australia, would guarantee a terrible penalty.  The young lady is Tanya Binning - a famous surf girl of the era. Grey Nurse sharks made a dramatic return to the east coast of Australia in 1988.  The population has been steadily increasing since. Unreliable out-of-date reports continue to circulate promoting a demise.

Sydney Harbour – Port Jackson (1969) – Picture  from movie film later inspired construction of a shark proof swimming enclosure.  Camp Cove is an exclusive and popular beach inside the southern entrance to Port Jackson, commonly called Sydney Harbour.

Grey Nurse from Flat Rock (June 1968)

Rodney Fox with large whaler 1966. (Note: Same shark may appear with different people).

The Late Henri Bource - shark victim who became shark film maker with his "Savage Shadows".

Using self-hypnosis Henri Bource  convinced himself – and many close friends – he was not handicapped.  One friend criticized him for parking in a ‘disabled persons’ parking place!  With an artificial leg, from the knee joint down, he walked with a stiff ankle.  Soon after his ‘accident’ (he never used the term shark attack) he considered joining the Australian army – as a commando.  So powerful is hypnosis.

North Stradbroke Island (8 August 1965)