Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer photos on show

By Tim Lake

Beach culture in many places as we once knew it may be disappearing, but an extraordinary exhibition of photos detailing a whole era of Australian summer life at its peak is now on show at Darling Harbour.
In many ways the beach symbolizes the national credo of equal access and a fair go for all.
The collection of pictures at the National Maritime Museum is on loan from the National Archives of Australia and sponsored by the Commonwealth Government’s Visions of Australia program for touring cultural activities.
Called Summers Past: Golden Days In The Sun 1950-70, its 75 images are candid shots of Australians during the time of the bronzed Aussie.
The shots were taken from the archive’s Australian News and Information Bureau.
Archive director-general Ross Gibbs said scores of photographs had been taken.
‘This vast resource is the legacy of nearly half a century’s work by bureau photographers who reeled off hundreds and thousands of candid snaps of Australians at work and play,’ he said.
‘The images vividly recall Australians’ love affair with sun and sea in the era of the bronzed Aussie.’
They show how sport ‘ especially cricket and tennis with its national heroes of the times ‘ dominated the headlines.
National success in these sports created a whole culture of tennis clubs, backyard cricket games and swimming centres which persists to this day.
Learning to swim was almost a rite of passage for young people, and, with surfing, biking and kites, formed an integral part of our admired outdoor society.
The free exhibition is on until June 20. Museum hours are daily between 9.30am and 5pm. See www.anmm.gov.au for more.