Historical information

Held in Melbourne from the 22nd November to 8th December, the 1956 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad or the Melbourne Olympics were the first held outside of Europe or the USA. The Olympic torch relay passed through Central Victoria on its way from Cairns to Melbourne. Faith Yvonne Leech (31 March 1941 – 14 September 2013) was born in Bendigo and won a gold medal in the 4×100–metre freestyle relay and bronze in the 100-metre freestyle at the Melbourne Games.

Physical description

Commemorative glass produced by Greig's Honey prior to the Melbourne Olympic Games in 1956. The glass has both images and text printed on the outside and features an image of Faith Leech in swimsuit, accompanied by Olympic symbols and advertising text.

Inscriptions & markings

[Head, shoulders and torso image Faith Leech], [Olympic ring, torch and wreath], OLYMPIC PAGEANT / MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA / 1956 / Faith Leech, Australia / May represent / in / 100 metres / freestyle / Greig's Honey