State Library of NSW and Flickr need you

"Beachobatics" on Bondi Beach.
(Credit: George Caddy/State Library of NSW)

After discovering a shoebox of negatives displaying a unique side of Sydney's beach culture in the 1930s and 40s, the State Library of NSW has initiated an Australia-wide search to find similar photographs.

The negatives, which were taken over a period of five years by amateur photographer George Caddy, portray the curious poses of the gymnasts and strongmen who used to perform "beachobatics" along Sydney's Bondi Beach.

Even though the negatives are over 60 years old, they are still in excellent condition as they were undisturbed in the shoebox. They are the only record that remains of this unique aspect of Australian beach culture.

Some of the photos from the collection, which is also a stand-alone exhibition at the library, can be viewed on the website www.sl.nsw.gov.au/jitterbug.

The State Library is encouraging everyone to search through their family photographs and negatives for images that depict these "beachobats" in action and upload them to the Library's Flickr page — http://www.flickr.com/groups/bondijitterbug/.