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.