Welcome back Bayside Bubble community! We hope everyone is enjoying the more relaxed
restrictions that allow us back out and into the community again. Today we are so excited to
continue engaging in conversation about what makes our community the vibrant, incredible
place that it is. On today’s show Maree gets the chance to speak with Vicky and Simon
Blackie, owners of one of the iconic Brighton bathing boxes.
Instantly recognizable and a feature of Melbourne tourism, the Brighton bathing boxes draw
a crowd on even the rainiest of days. In the family for over 50 years, Simon tells us how his
father, David, jumped at an opportunity to own a piece of Brighton in the 1960’s. Originally
a pale green, we discover how this bathing box adopted the iconic Australian flag design
that has since become such a draw for tourists and celebrities alike.
Maree finds out about the history of bathing boxes and their original purpose to conserve
modesty, whilst pondering the irony of an unofficial nudist beach not too far away in the
70’s in Sandringham.
We reminisce together about the days of a train-line to the water’s edge and the stories that
encapsulate a childhood centered around the beach and the family’s bathing box that Vicky
and Simon continue to enjoy with their family and friends today.
If we have sparked your interest to learn more about the Brighton bathing boxes this week,
you can find more information on the operations and the history of the bathing boxes from
the Brighton Bathing Box Association at http://www.brightonbathingbox.org.au.
We look forward to returning to your ears for another episode in two weeks’ time. If you
liked this episode head on over to Facebook or Instagram to let us know, and don’t forget to
share us with other Baysiders, and subscribe so you don’t miss us!
https://www.facebook.com/baysidebubble
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Thank you to our sponsors, Buxton Real Estate, the premium real estate company, and our
friends at Chisholm Constructions for making this show possible.
