Forgotten Australia - How The Bikini Conquered Bondi Beach

How The Bikini Conquered Bondi Beach

12/10/23 • 52 min

2 Listeners

Once upon a time not too long ago, wearing a bikini on Australia’s most famous stretch of sand meant you risked the wrath of veteran Bondi Beach inspector Aub Laidlaw. Show too much skin and he’d kick you off – and even threaten you with arrest. But Aub’s enforcement of prudish regulations caused a massive backlash in 1961 when young Joan Barry donned a gold bikini, pushed back against beach bullying and refused to be silenced by the cops and the court.

Support Forgotten Australia:

Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia

To send me a question for the David Hunt Book Club episode:

[email protected]

https://www.speakpipe.com/forgottenaustralia

Check out my books as possible Christmas presents for yourself or a loved one:

The Murder Squad

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781922863836.html

Hanging Ned Kelly

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support Forgotten Australia:

Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia

To send me a question for the David Hunt Book Club episode:

[email protected]

https://www.speakpipe.com/forgottenaustralia

Check out my books as possible Christmas presents for yourself or a loved one:

The Murder Squad

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781922863836.html

Hanging Ned Kelly

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart

https://www.booktopia.com.au/australia-s-sweetheart-michael-adams/book/9780733640292.html

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

In the Execution of Their Duty

On the 3rd of January 1931, Sydney suffered one of the worst days in Australian police history — the result of a trauma that had festered since a "White Feather" taunt from the Great War.

*This episode was originally released in 2019 and has been archived since May 2022*

Support Forgotten Australia:

Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Next Episode

The Birth of the Bodgies

In December 1950, Australia was under threat from a new menace to society: sex-crazed Bodgies and Widgies. This youth ‘cult’ indulged in wild orgies and violent crime sprees and its ranks teemed with unwanted immigrants and perverted homosexuals. Or so the tabloid newspapers warned. In this episode, we look at the moral panic that went with the Bodgies and Widgies - and the Sydney surfing hero at the epicentre of this ‘youthquake’.

Support Forgotten Australia:

Apple - http://apple.co/forgottenaustralia

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/ForgottenAustralia

To send me a question for the David Hunt Book Club episode:

[email protected]

https://www.speakpipe.com/forgottenaustralia

Check out my books as possible Christmas presents for yourself or a loved one:

The Murder Squad

https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-murder-squad-michael-adams/book/9781922863836.html

Hanging Ned Kelly

https://www.booktopia.com.au/hanging-ned-kelly-michael-adams/book/9781922992185.html

Australia’s Sweetheart