This document highlights the historical and community significance of swimming pools in Bendigo, focusing on personal stories, community efforts, and social change: Items belonging to Olympic champion Faith Leech, such as her dressing gown and Olympic torch, are displayed to honor her achievements and inspire others. Family members and local historians emphasize the determination and impact of local swimming figures. The push for modern, Olympic-size pools in Bendigo was inspired by the 1956 Olympic Games. While government grants supported pool construction, significant fundraising was done by local residents, who contributed £17,500—a major portion of the total cost. Fundraising was competitive, with community members recognized for their efforts (e.g., being crowned "Queen of the Pool"). Early advocacy for pools began in the 1880s, with Golden Square residents lobbying for their own facility. Golden Square's pool, opened in 1918, was the first in Bendigo to allow mixed-gender swimming. The Bendigo Municipal Pool only permitted mixed bathing after its late 1950s reopening, reflecting broader social changes. Even into the 1920s, women had to request dedicated swimming times for instruction. Learning to swim was vital for safety, especially due to the risk of drowning in mining dams during early settlement. Local newspapers published swimming instructions, and community members shared stories about learning to swim. The document promotes an exhibition and encourages visitors to record their own pool-related memories, which will be shared at a community event called 'Stories from the Pool.'Article from the Bendigo Advertiser - Swimming pools in Bendigo Sat Nov 26 2017 Pictures Mark Kearney This item contains the following documents: 3486.53a Kay MacGregor and Vivien Newton hold the original petition from the Golden Square residents 3486.53b Faith Leech's dressing gown is among other belongings from the Olympic champion to go on show 3486.53c Article on swimming pools in Bendigo from the Advertiserbendigo, swimming pools in bendigo

An exhibition 'In the Swim' was held in the Bendigo Library by the Bendigo Historical Society. Swimming pools across Bendigo were featured with a specific focus on the early pools. This early lithograph was annotated to show the locations of known landmarks and the location of the Ladies Baths and the City Baths. Copy of black and white lithograph of Sandhurst city centre, displayed on blue background. Image is annotated with white labels showing various features of the City. Lithograph shows aerial view of Sandhurst City centre in 1884. On bottom of page: 'Sandhurst 1884, C. Cooke, 1836 - 1902, lithographer, wood engraving, State Library of Victoria'bendigo, sandhurst, mcguire's baths, swimming pools, view point, mcguire and co, in the swim, horse and cart, charing cross, high street, town hall, hargreaves street, mitchell street, ladies baths, city baths, bath lane, pall mall, city family hotel

Twenty four small black and white photos of Bendigo Swimming localities, Easter Parade, maybe Spring St in Melbourne and Maryboroughphotos, bendigo, easter parade, swimming pools

Documents, Bert Graham Collection, Bendigo East Swimming Club Construction, prices approx. for 50m Pool + 25m Pool only; 50m Pool, 25m Pool + 2 small Pools; Diving Pool.bendigo, clubs, bendigo east swimming club

'Bendigo Advertiser' newspaper article discussing the naming of the Kangaroo Flat pool. Newspaper article discusses the history of Bendigo pools. Makes mention of Faith Leech, 1956 Olympic swimmer. Also makes mention to the 1880's petition signed by Golden Square residents agitating for a pool. 2 pages. Newspaper dated 25th November, 2017. Newspaper article on Kangaroo Flat pool. Article from 'Bendigo Advertiser'. November, 2017. Two full pages containing images and text. bendigo pools, pool, faith leech

Documents, Bert Graham Collection, Bendigo East Swimming Club, construction specifications and plans for the Bendigo East Swimming Pools.bendigo, clubs, bendigo east swimming club

The first general meeting of the Bendigo Swimming and Life Saving Club was held in October 1917. The club was established at a large dam in Barnard Street and included its own lifesaving boat. Prior to this there was a Bendigo Swimming Club that was accessed by subscription. This club swam at a variety of privately owned bathing pools, including McGuires Baths in View Point and Moran's Baths. This club existed as early as 1863. In 1966 the Bendigo club combined with the Eaglehawk swimming club and in 2012 and in 2012 the name changed to the Bendigo Hawks Aquatics.57-page soft cover booklet with gold covers. 'Bendigo Swimming Club - Reflections over 70 Years ' 1917 to 1987 Compiled by Tom Henderson, Records Officer. Printed by Cambridge Press, Bendigo 1987 Year by year summary of the club's achievements illustrated with B&W photos. Includes a section on the Water Polo teams. Inside front cover signed in ink 'Thos. H. Henderson 1987' bendigo swimming club, tom henderson

Black and white postcard, showing Baths in Upper Reserve, Bendigo. Image shows three separate pools, divided with timber walkways. In background, bathing sheds, lights suspended over pools. On back of card ' Valentine's Post Card , genuine photograph'Valentine's Post Cardbendigo, hospital, bendigo, baths, upper reserve, pool, sport, swimming

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. Twenty one pages of typed speech notes for 'my policy speech on the occasion of this 1955 election for the Legislative Assembly of the State of Victoria'. Corrections and additions in black ink. Topics and policies mentioned in the speech include : Rotary, Housing, old people, gaols and institutions, roads and motor cars, parking and traffic confusion, education (university for Bendigo), industries, libraries, power and transport, water supply, sewerage, swimming pools, and the dangers of Communism. Norman Oliver was standing as a candidate for the Country Party. There is a front page with '1955 Election' written in blue pen.bendigo, hospital, speech notes, norman joseph oliver , councillor norman oliver. mayor of bendigo. victorian state election 1955. country party.

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. Five pages titled 'Swimming Pools Care, Maintenance and Purification' copied from the Health Bulletin. Pages are numbered 2460 to 2464 inclusive. '1947 No 91/92 per J. ? SH?' is handwritten in the top right corner.bendigo, council, norman joseph oliver , councillor norman oliver. mayor of bendigo. swimming pools.

Photograph of the Bendigo Municipal Baths. The original was taken on the opening day in 1914. On the reverse in biro is written ' Page 3 '. Was this photo taken from an album or book ?place, bendigo, municipal baths, municipal baths, swimming pools

McGuire's Baths were constructed 'opposite View Point and Royal Hotels' and were open for business from 25th December, 1855. The establishment had a good supply of water and 'after being used once' was 'passed into the Creek (Bendigo Creek)'. (Bendigo Advertiser, 25th December, '1855 'Baths, Baths, Baths' advertising) The water was supplied by the Bendigo Waterworks Company. In September 1862, the swimming baths were enlarged.One page photocopy of 'Bendigo Advertiser' article, 2nd. September, 1862, titled 'McGuire's Baths Enlarged'.bendigo, sandhurst, bendigo base hospital, charing cross, mcguire's baths, swimming pools, water supply

McGuire's Baths and Swimming Pool were constructed by Mr. P. McGuire 'opposite View Point and Royal Hotels' in Sandhurst. Mr. McGuire had permission to erect a building which contained twelve baths, together with ladies' and gentlemen's dressing rooms. The baths opened for business from 25th December, 1855. The establishment had a good supply of water. The water, 'after being used once', was 'passed into the Creek (Bendigo Creek)'. (Bendigo Advertiser, 25th December, '1855 'Baths, Baths, Baths' ) In November 1855 during the construction of the Baths a fire broke out, possibly started by a lighted cigar being left on wood shavings. The fire was extinguished by 'manual exertions'. There was a 'plenteous supply of water adjacent which contributed to the speedy extinguishing of the flames' In December 1863, a meeting was advertised to be held at McGuire's Baths for the purpose of establishing a swimming club (Bendigo Advertiser, 9th. December, 1863) By 1866, Mr. Matthew Moran now proprietor of the Baths since 1864, writes in a letter to the Bendigo Advertiser that 'we can now boast of the largest freshwater swimming baths in these colonies' and that 'any man can have a swim, a shower-bath and towel every day for the low charge of twopence three farthings'. Further 'we can boast of every king of baths except vapour or Turkish are very little wanted on Sandhurst, as the inhabitants are generally a very steady well conducted people'. ( Bendigo Advertiser, 29th October, 1866. Black and white copy of original photograph showing McGuire's Bath Rooms, Bendigo. Image shows building constructed near Bendigo Creek and adjoining current High Street, Bendigo. Sign on front of Building above verandah 'Baths'. Building at rear has 'Swimming' and 'Swimming Baths' signage on the front and side. In front of Baths buildings, a timber bridge across the Bendigo Creek. In foreground of image is High Street with a horse and cart with men standing along the road. Written on bottom of page 'a remarkable photograph, taken about 1860, of McGuire's Bath Rooms. The quagmire in front is now High Street' and 'The Story of Charing Cross'.bendigo, sandhurst, mcguire's baths, swimming pools, view point, mcguire and co, in the swim, horse and cart, charing cross, high street

McGuire's Baths and Swimming Pool were constructed by Mr. P. McGuire 'opposite View Point and Royal Hotels' in Sandhurst. Mr. McGuire had permission to erect a building which contained twelve baths, together with ladies' and gentlemen's dressing rooms. The baths opened for business from 25th December, 1855. The establishment had a good supply of water. The water, 'after being used once', was 'passed into the Creek (Bendigo Creek)'. (Bendigo Advertiser, 25th December, '1855 'Baths, Baths, Baths' ) In November 1855 during the construction of the Baths a fire broke out, possibly started by a lighted cigar being left on wood shavings. The fire was extinguished by 'manual exertions'. There was a 'plenteous supply of water adjacent which contributed to the speedy extinguishing of the flames' In December 1863, a meeting was advertised to be held at McGuire's Baths for the purpose of establishing a swimming club (Bendigo Advertiser, 9th. December, 1863) By 1866, Mr. Matthew Moran now proprietor of the Baths since 1864, writes in a letter to the Bendigo Advertiser that 'we can now boast of the largest freshwater swimming baths in these colonies' and that 'any man can have a swim, a shower-bath and towel every day for the low charge of twopence three farthings'. Further 'we can boast of every king of baths except vapour or Turkish are very little wanted on Sandhurst, as the inhabitants are generally a very steady well conducted people'. ( Bendigo Advertiser, 29th October, 1866. One page copy of an advertisement placed in the 'Bendigo Advertiser' on 25th December, 1855, for the opening of McGuire's Baths.bendigo, sandhurst, mcguire's baths, swimming pools, view point, mcguire and co, in the swim