Jean Cummins at Bondi Baths

Date1942

Object number00018320

NamePhotograph

MediumSilver gelatin photographic print, paper

DimensionsOverall: 138 x 87 mm, 0.004 kg

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Jean Cummins

Terms

DescriptionA black and photograph of Jean Cummins wearing a swimsuit at Bondi Baths, ready for a swimming competition. The swimming costume is part of the Australian National Maritime Collection 00015632.HistoryA young Jean Cummins appears here wearing a manufactured man’s swimming costume, as women's costumes were not then made for competitive swimming. Men's costumes were modified by adding laces so it could be tied at the back to fit. At this time, Bondi was only one of four women’s swimming clubs in Sydney and was based at the ocean pool at the southern ends of Bondi Beach. Jean started swimming at the Bondi club in 1941 when she came to live at Bondi from Queensland, she was then 13 years old and races were held on Sundays. Her family then moved to Pymble and from that time, her mother drove her to Bondi weekly for the competitions. Jean went on to become a champion of the club.SignificanceThis image is assists in documenting the sport of women’s competition swimming in Australia during the 1940s based in seaside pools.