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| Fanny Durack at Stockholm Olympics 1921. |
Congratulations to Marrickville Council for marking the centenary of Fanny Durack’s historic 1912 Stockholm Olympic swim (which made her the first woman to win a swimming gold medal at any Olympics) at Petersham Park near the Fanny Durack Pool on Sunday 15 July.
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Olympic gold medal won by Miss Fanny Durack
at Stockholm 1912 Gold; diameter 3.3cm Pictures Collection Trove National Library of Australia |
Both MHS and the Cooks River Valley Association had stalls whilst children took part in ’heritage’ races and a sausage sizzle was provided. Display boards and speeches further honoured Fanny who spent the last 30 years or so of her life living in Stanmore. A celebratory ‘gold medal’ was given out, the bonus being able to eat the chocolate inside.
Contrary to the claim of real estate reporter Jonathan Chancellor (Title Deeds Domain, SMH 18/9/04, p. 3H) and cited in the October 2004 and the last newsletter) Fanny’s family never lived in Marrickville.
Another Durack family, possibly related, lived at 5 Esk Street.
Marrickville Heritage Society 