Tobruk Memorial Baths
Encyclopedia
The Tobruk Memorial Baths in Townsville, Australia is a complex of outdoor swimming pools operated by the Townsville City Council. It is located on The Strand
, in the beachside suburb of North Ward
.
, a coastal town on the edge of the Libyan Desert
, from 9 April to 13 December 1941.
Because of the warmer climate, the Tobruk Memorial Baths were used as a training venue for the Australian swimming squad for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and 1960 Rome Olympic Games. Team members include Australian swimming legends Dawn Fraser
, Murray Rose
and Lorraine Crapp
. Six world records and 13 Australian records were set there in one night in 1956, with the footage featured on the first day of television broadcast in Melbourne. Training camps were also held prior to the Cardiff Commonwealth Games
in 1958, and for the women's Olympic Team in 1964.
The Strand, Townsville
The Strand is a seaside foreshore located in Townsville, Australia. It is located in the suburb of North Ward. The Strand has a view of the Port of Townsville and Magnetic Island, as well as to Cape Cleveland...
, in the beachside suburb of North Ward
North Ward, Queensland
North Ward, is a suburb in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. North Ward is home to the beachside area known as The Strand, which overlooks Magnetic Island...
.
Facilities
The Tobruk Memorial Baths features a 50 metre Olympic-size swimming pool, a 25 metre heated pool used for children's swimming, lessons and physiotherapy and a toddlers pool. There is an on-site kiosk. The facade is a vibrant blue-and-white art deco design.History
Tobruk Memorial Baths was opened in 1950. The baths are significant as Australia’s most substantial public memorial to the Australians who fought and died during the Siege of TobrukSiege of Tobruk
The siege of Tobruk was a confrontation that lasted 240 days between Axis and Allied forces in North Africa during the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War...
, a coastal town on the edge of the Libyan Desert
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, from 9 April to 13 December 1941.
Because of the warmer climate, the Tobruk Memorial Baths were used as a training venue for the Australian swimming squad for the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games and 1960 Rome Olympic Games. Team members include Australian swimming legends Dawn Fraser
Dawn Fraser
Dawn Fraser AO, MBE is an Australian champion swimmer. She is one of only two swimmers to win the same Olympic event three times – in her case the 100 meters freestyle....
, Murray Rose
Murray Rose
Iain Murray Rose AM was born on 6 January 1939 in Nairn, Scotland, but he moved to Australia with his family at an early age after World War II. He took up swimming as a boy and was an Olympic Games champion at age 17....
and Lorraine Crapp
Lorraine Crapp
Lorraine Crapp is a former Olympic swimming champion representing Australia. She competed in two Olympic Games — the 1956 Summer Olympics and the 1960 Summer Olympics. She won two Olympic gold medals in 1956...
. Six world records and 13 Australian records were set there in one night in 1956, with the footage featured on the first day of television broadcast in Melbourne. Training camps were also held prior to the Cardiff Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
in 1958, and for the women's Olympic Team in 1964.