In Search of Mina Wylie

Come and meet author Grace Barnes presenting her fascinating account of re-discovering one of the stars of early 20th century swimming. 

Coogee woman Mina Wylie, together with her friend and rival Fanny Durack, became instant celebrities when they won the first Olympic swimming medals awarded to women in 1912 in Stockholm – at a time when one of the big discussions in Australia was whether women should be allowed to compete in front of men, and when women in the USA were banned from national teams altogether. 

Learn how, after the high of their Olympic success, these two women were determined to forge an ongoing sporting career for themselves – in Australia, Europe and the USA.

Nibbles and drinks and plenty of opportunity for Q&A !