Memories in a shoebox
A shoebox of forgotten negatives revealing an extraordinary aspect of Bondi’s colourful history is on show for the first time, via a new photographic exhibition at the State Library of NSW until February 22.
The work of amateur photographer, champion Jitterbug dancer and Bondi local George Caddy is displayed for the first time in Bondi Jitterbug: George Caddy and his Camera, an exhibition that documents Bondi Beach during the late 1930s and early 1940s.
The 60 striking black and white images feature parading lifesavers, leisure seekers wearing the latest beach fashions and the astonishing gymnastic feats known as ‘beachobatics’.
State Library’s Curator of Photographs Alan Davies said the negatives had remained undisturbed for 60 years, discovered last year by the late photographer’s son.
‘This remarkable discovery has produced the only record of this fascinating, lost story of Bondi Beach,’ he said.
Caddy’s images of parading lifesavers, fashionable sunbathers and beachobatics astounded Davies who says his work rivals contemporary photographer Max Dupain.
‘George was everything Max wasn’t because he obviously loved photographing people; there’s an extraordinary photo of a man standing on top of a sunbaker which pre-dates
Max’s iconic Sunbaker,’ Davies said.
Beachobatics were dramatic gymnastic displays with daring manoeuvres like the ‘throw up bird’ and ‘jack knife’, executed by members of the Graham Men’s Gymnastic Club, which boasted celebrity member Wal Balmus who shot to fame as Tarzan in the Tarzan’s Grip logo.
Of the 900 images Caddy produced, only 290 still exist. His carefree weekends ended when he enlisted in the army during WWII and spent the years 1941 to 1945 as a gunner in a heavy anti-aircraft battery, stationed near Brisbane. For reasons unknown, he did not continue with his photographic work when he returned home in 1946.
Caddy was better known for his dancing, winning jitterbugging contests in Sydney at places like the Trocadero.
Exhibition visitors will be entertained by an old news reel of jitterbug dancing and rare colour footage of Bondi from 1938. There’s also a novelty photo board where visitors can take a digital image of themselves as a gymnast on Bondi Beach.
Bondi Jitterbug: George Caddy and his Camera is a free exhibition at the State Library of NSW. More information on 9273 1414.
