Historical information

A group of widows at exercise classes in a pool at Melbourne City Baths. Melbourne Legacy ran an excellent exercise program for its widows for many years and the swim classes were very popular. The instructor for many years was Betty Luders. In one photo she can be seen at the poolside, that photo was printed on then cover of the Melbourne Legacy Widows' Newsletter in July 1991. Back row: Verene Lawrence, Mary Allen, unknown, Lorraine Dalton, Glad Baker, Doris ?, Mary?, Middle row: Unknown, Jan Metcalf, unknown, Inez Bruce, In front: Glad Cousens. The photo was on the front of The Age and classes took place at the City Baths twice a week and Betty instructed them in aqua aerobics, as well as setting up the first teacher courses for Victorian Council for Swimming beginning in 1985.
Betty was often coerced into helping fill in at some of Pat Hanna's performances entertaining the troops, as well as assisting Enez Domec Carre with the Miss Victoria pageants at the Windsor Hotel in the 1950s.
Similar photos from other years at 00643 and 00644.
Another copy of the photo with Betty was stamped with the Keesing Photographers' stamp which implies these photos were professionally taken in 1991.

Significance

A record of the types of activities Legacy provided as a physical and social outlet for widows.

Physical description

Colour photo x 7 of Legacy widows in a pool doing exercises and an article in the Answer.

Inscriptions & markings

White paper label with black type 'Weekly swimming and keep fit classes are popular with Legacy ladies'.