SIGN NUMBER 3 – Securing the port
Access to the sea baths was by a life membership of five shillings. There were nine female and nine male dressing rooms. The depth of water was approximately 3 metres at high tide and the cleaning of the water was done twice a day by tidal movement.
Strict protocol of gender separation was applied, and it wasn’t until 1910 that mixed bathing was allowed. Learn-to-swim lessons for children were conducted on a regular basis with the use of a pole and an inner tube on a rope. Learn more about the Torquay Swimming Baths by clicking here.
There are several houses in the area dating from 1857: the closest being No 5 Drew Street with some of the old original 1850 shop fronts in Church and Pardoe Streets.
The removal of Police Point happened gradually over time. The final configuration — as it is today — was achived in 1969.
REFERENCES
- Talking History by Fay Gardam
- Higgs Family record by Peter Higgs (great grandson)
- “With The Pioneers” by Charles Ramsey
- “The Quiet Achievers” by Maureen Bennett
- Bass Strait Maritime Centre
- Eastside Village People
