Moments in Time*
1830s
Naturally formed rock pool used by
early female colonists. No mixed bathing allowed
1838
Coogee gazetted as a village
1876
Ladies Baths gazetted as reserved for women and children. Building works commence to define the pool,
buildings and surrounds
1886
Baths formally opened by Randwick Council
as a women only space
1901
Pool managed and maintained by Randwick Council,
entry fee one penny
1907
Coogee Surf Life Saving Club established and
Wylie’s Baths established
WORLD WAR I (1914-1918)
1912
Mina Wylie and Fanny Durack train at the baths and win gold and silver medals at the 1912 Summer Olympic Games, Sweden
1927
Women’s swimming club and children’s lessons start,
volunteers run the Baths.
1934
McIver’s team wins Eastern Suburbs
Dunningham Shield 500 yards race
1964
Council demolishes vandalised entry to Baths
1975
New dressing sheds built and permanent
wall built around the Baths
1983
Swimming lessons and races continue
in spite of no Clubhouse
2000
Club members contribute 50c each to raise funds to manage the Baths. Entry fee 20cents
2011
McIver’s Ladies Baths added to the NSW Heritage Register.
Entry fee, a gold coin
2018
June 2018, the exemption, which had been valid until 2020, was modified to become “indefinite”.
Council undertakes significant capital
works at the Baths. Entry fee, $2.00
2021
Trans activists call for the Baths to adopt a trans-inclusive entry policy; publication of The Women’s Pool - a collection of short stories from women who frequent the pool
1918
Rose and Robert McIver appointed as pool
managers of ‘McIver’s’ Ladies Baths
1930
R&CLSC Annual Ball at Randwick Town Hall
attracting 300 guests
1946
In 1946, the then Council tried to open McIver’s to men, the mother superior at Brigidine Convent, Randwick, came to the Baths defence. She wrote a letter to say that were the Baths to become mixed, the nuns and boarders at her school would no longer be permitted to swim there.
1977
Randwick Council builds an enclosed sun bathing room
1984
Passing of Sex Discrimination Act celebrated with thanks to local swimmer, Senator Susan Ryan.
Randwick Council commits to rebuilding a new
brick Clubhouse
2003
R&CLASC Club registered as an Unincorporated Association
2020
Pool closed during Covid-19 outbreak, then moved to
restricted numbers and hours. Entry fee, $2.50
2022
The newly appointed R&CLSA Inc committee develops and agrees on its Access and Inclusion statement
1923
First meeting of the Randwick and Coogee
Ladies Swimming Club (R&CLSC)
THE GREAT DEPRESSION (1929-1939)
WORLD WAR II (1939-1945)
1970
A ‘suspicious’ fire in the restored Clubhouse
destroys all records and memorabilia
2017
Incorporation of the Randwick & Coogee Ladies Swimming Association Inc. Employment of paid summer pool coordinators
1932
Married Ladies Thursday Group swim, fund raise and form a strong social community of volunteers and swimmers
1959
Randwick Council Centenary Parade; R&CLSC decorated float and marching teams
1972
Council considers a fence around the pool to deter
‘the perverts and peek-a-boos’
1982
Clubhouse again burnt down by vandals
1995
Exemption, up to 2020, from the anti-Discrimination Act 1997 confirming entry to women and children only (boys 13 and under)
2004
Pool closed while Randwick Council undertakes landscaping project
2018
Children’s Monday Night Swimming Club races
reluctantly discontinued
COVID-19 PANDEMIC (2019-2022)
2021
Council undertakes major upgrades of building and grounds to accommodate increase numbers at Baths, including the installation of hot showers
2023
Centenary Celebrations held throughout the year
celebrating 100 years of volunteering women
*Whilst We Live, We Swim
Whilst We Live, We Swim was a herstory project on display at The Bowen Library, Anzac Parade, Maroubra Junction from 6 August to 30 September 2023.
The Centenary exhibition told the stories of the many courageous women who dedicated much of their lives caring for and supporting other women to establish a safe place for women to swim by the ocean. The broader Coogee & Randwick community has stood firmly with them in their battles to retain the pool for women and children only.
The above timeline, Moments in Time, was presented as part of the display and was developed by Life Member, Lynne Spender.
The Exhibition was developed by Randwick & Coogee Ladies Swimming Association Members Colleen Kelly, Lynne Spender, Rhonda Fadden and Jude Love and was made possible through a Randwick City Council Community Creative Grant.