Memories of Brighton-Le-Sands Baths
A study from a project devoted to life on the shores of Botany Bay in the 1940′s, 50′s, and 60′s – things that have gone completely, or are going. When built, the Baths was the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, and the focus of many Sydneysiders. New priorities, neglect, and irresponsible dredging of the bay floor for airport extentions undermined many things; and threaten still- the seagrass of Towra Point – the breeding grounds of the Bay.
Oil on hardboard 455mm by 610mm
Jon's brushes and palette.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I was born in 1951 and grew up in Trafalgar Street Brighton-le-Sands and spent most of my spare time at the Baths with sibblings and friends. I was a good swimmer at five years of age as my father taught me to swim and you either learnt fast or drowned, as was the obedience drummed into children of that era.
My father swam all year round at the baths and we embraced the baths in the cold waters in the September school holidays. We often swam before school, after school and after tea, so many hours of my life was spent at the baths. I even tried my first cigarette under the boardwalk as did many children. Fortunately I did not take the filthy habid up, at least one smart thing I did back then.
Being the youngest of four children and when I look back it amazes me that we were allowed to go to the baths unsupervisored and I am still alive today to tell the story. Oh how things have changed.
Thinking back over my life and when one has to think of a happy place for meditation or therapy, I have finally found mine and its Brighton-Le-Sands Baths. I only wish I had decent photos of the baths from the 50′s and 60′s.
I would therefore appreciate you directing me to where I might obtain some, if possible.
Thank you
Kind regards
Kay
Hi Kay, your’s is a great story. Jon and I went to a lot of trouble to try to find old photos of that era and place. There are a few in Rockdale library. We did, however, find a book called “Pictorial Memories St George Rockdale, Kogarah, Hurstville” by Joan Lawrence. I think you would find it very interesting. In it is an aerial shot of the new Brighton baths taken in 1930.