born 20 March 1856 at Ipswich, Suffolk, in England
slim build, 5 feet 6 inches (167cm) tall, wore glasses and smoked a pipe
My name is William Gocher and I represent ‘Girt by Sea’ because I was an
infamous swimmer! In 1902 it was against the law to swim in public during the daytime at
Manly Beach. One day, wearing a neck-to-knee bathing costume, I defied Manly
Council’s law by going for a swim at noon. I caused the council to change the law,
and daytime swimming, which was becoming increasingly popular in the early 1900s, was
permitted – as long as a neck-to-knee swimming costume was worn!
1901-2001 Centenary of
Federation