Objects of Substance- The Swim Coat

1965-1973 Royal blue terry-toweling swim coat

Influenced by the fashion of the day, the new royal blue, terry towelling short swim coat was introduced in 1965/1966. The swim coat continued to be worn until 1973. Then Swimming Captain, Anne Belcher (1973), clearly remembers the coat and the march past ritual while carrying the white, School-issued towels embroidered with BGGS on the corner in royal blue. As the royal blue Girls Grammar swim coat and the team march past faded into memory, the short, royal blue coats were traded for Physical Education uniforms, swim T-shirts and blazers. However, to Girls Grammar athletes representing their School and proud of their interschool selection, whatever BGGS blue uniform they wore was a hard-won badge of commitment and honour. Mrs Pauline Harvey-Short (1971) Manager of School History and Culture