Access to toilet/change facilities Actively maintained Disabled Access

Men Women Children

Current Use: No longer in use.
Condition: Remnant baths.

1910
Gentlemen's Baths were proposed for Gerringong. The idea was to construct inexpensive (estimated cost of 30 pounds) 'small but very nice baths' that could later be enlarged. The public was expected to 'nobly assist' with funds raised as far afield as Berry and young men of the district bringing 'their bullock teams to help clear away loose stones'. Gerringong's aldermen thought the two baths would be 'an inestimable boon' and believed that everyone would share in the good benefits that 'would accrue from having a bath for each sex'.

With several local men and women already collecting money for the proposed Men's Baths, most aldermen felt they should do all in their power to make the Gentlemen's Baths 'an accomplished fact' and believed ratepayers would not grumble at a pound-for-pound subsidy from Council for the project. Others objected to ratepayers' money being 'spent out in the sea' and held that Council should not be involved in work below the high water mark and could not legally spend ratepayers' money on such work without sanction from the NSW government.

Rather directly fund the baths, Council proposed to buy the material excavated from the baths for use on the roads, while public subscriptions raised the balance of the funds.

Council approached the local Member of Parliament about a grant for the baths, reasoning that if the NSW Government provided funding, Council could also help fund the baths.

1911
Gentlemen's Baths were built.

1927
Seaweed clogged the Men's Baths, but not the Ladies Baths.

1928
Seaweed continued to clog the Men's Baths, but not the Ladies Baths, prompting local men to start swimming at the Ladies Baths (or so they said). 1928 was the first time that the Men's Baths attracted so many complaints about cleanliness and seaweed.

The Men's Baths seemed too small. Perhaps inspired by the Coogee shark net, Gerringong Council debated erecting a shark-proof fence outside the Men's Baths to increase the swimming area and keep the seaweed out.

1930
Council noted that 'costumes often worn at the Men's Baths are not such as would be worn to continental bathing'.

1931
The Men's Baths were very costly to maintain and again filled with seaweed. Sharkproof nets were thought no match for Gerringong's waves and the seaweed.

1932
Both the Men's Baths and the Ladies baths at Boatharbour were in use and by October the Men's Baths were 'free from seaweed which had caused so much trouble in the past'. Council was even considering a federal loan to create a continental bathing place.

1933
The Mayor was certain that 'everyone would like to see really good baths at Gerringong, but seaweed was the trouble'.

1935
Stones were being washed into the Men's Baths.

1937
By February, both the Men's Baths and the Ladies Baths were leaking and empty.

1942
Both the Boatharbour baths were in a bad state, hardly fit to swim in. Cleaning of both the Men's Baths and the Ladies Baths had to wait until a suitable tide.

2004
Remnants of the Boatharbour Men's baths were still visible.

 1820s
Gerringong was known as a small boat harbour from which much cedar was shipped. Once the cedar was cut out, dairying became the district's main industry.

1884
Jetty works from 1884 established Gerringong as a regular destination for small ships until about 1900.

1893
The extension of the railway to Bomaderry in 1893 lured the lucrative milk trade away from the port of Gerringong.

Early 20th century
While Gerringong Council permitted camping at its other reserves, the reserve established at Boatharbour remained the 'ratepayers' reserve', the only seaside reserve in the municipality where camping was not permitted.

Late 20th century
Gerringong became part of the Kiama local government area.
 

To be added.

Probably the last men-only ocean baths to be established along the NSW Coast. Used for recreational bathing and as a learn-to-swim venue for schoolboys, rather than as a venue for competitive swimming, diving or water polo. Very much the second-best baths compared to the Ladies Baths on the opposite side of the Boatharbour. Considered a visitor attraction as well as a facility for the local community. Associated with generations of Gerringong residents and visitors, including schoolboys who learned to swim at these baths.

Assessed significance: More than local significance, if considered in tandem with the other ocean baths created at Boatharbour and once allocated soled for use by women and children.

 
Current heritage status: Not yet given heritage status.

Related Topics Continental bathing Council involvement Fundraising Government involvement Learn-to-swim 'Lost' & abandoned ocean baths Maintenance issues School swimming Seaweed Sharks Swimming costumes Tourism Working bees & voluntary labour

Studies & References To be added.