In this episode, the final one for 2023, Paul will pay tribute to a woman who began a proud tradition of female sport in Australia, especially in swimming and at the Olympics. Sarah 'Fanny' Durack has the proud honor of being the first female to win an Olympic gold medal and being the first female in Olympic history to win a swimming gold medal at the Olympics. She began a proud tradition of Australian female swimmers who have excelled at the Olympics such as Dawn Fraser, Shane Gould, Emma McKeon, Susie O'Neil. In this episode Paul will talk about
- The early life of Sarah 'Fanny' Durack and the challenges she and other women faced in regard to public swimming and competing in swimming championships.
- the close, life-long friendship she formed with fellow Aussie swimmer Mina Wylie and their determination to compete at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.
- the year 1912 and other events that took place e.g., the sinking of the Titanic.
- the challenges Durack and Wylie faced and their lack of support, especially from the Australian Olympic Committee.
- 1912 Stockholm Olympics and the new innovations.
- the restrictions imposed on the female swimmers e.g., costumes.
- Durack's world record performance winning gold in the 100m freestyle.
- the promotional tours after the games which helped break down the barriers which prevented women from competing in elite competitions.
- the many Swimming records Durack held over her illustrious career and the impact of World War 1.
- Durack's unfortunate luck in the lead up to the 1920 Olympics which brought an early end to her career.
- Durack's later life and the legacy she has left and that too of Mina Wylie.
Fanny Durack Sources
1. Great australian sporting moments, the headlines, the record breakers, the triumphs and the magic moments, by michael roberts with michael tormey., the miegunyah press, 2008.
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanny_Durack
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wylie%27s_Baths
4. Australian dictionary of biography, ‘sarah ‘fanny’ durack (1889-1956). By Helen King. volume 8, melbourne university press, 1981.
5. https://www.factmonster.com/year/1912
6. Australian sport through time 2007, random house australia pty ltd, 2007.
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Beaurepaire
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasia_at_the_Olympics
9. https://www.olympics.com.au/games/stockholm-1912/
10. The olympics. Athens to athens 1896-2004. Weidenfeld and nicolson, 2004.
11. https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/sarah-fanny-durack/
12. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Competitive_swimwear
13. https://swimswam.com/anti-wave-starting-blocks-and-ledges/
14. Swimming science bulletin ‘a history of crawl stroke techniques to the 1960’s: an australian perspective: section III.’ by forbes carlisle 1963. Forbes carlile on swimming pp 126-188. London england: pelham..
15. National library of australia ‘fanny durack’, www.nla.gov.au/digital-classroom/year-6/documenting-federation/themes/fanny-durack
16. Google, arts and culture ‘sarah fanny durack: world champion australian swimmer’, state library of new south wales,
Intro music- One Shot by Soundroll
Outro music- Can't Give it Up by All Good Folks from Upbeat.
