Jan Mitchell’s Geelong Baths Swimming Club bollards capture the lively, competitive spirit of Geelong’s early 20th-century waterfront.

Before gyms were common, pre-WWI swimming clubs were the city’s fitness hubs, and this group was known for dominating local competitions. At the 1911 Geelong Regatta, a carnival-style event hosted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, these swimmers took part in a series of wild and boisterous contests, from dinghy and "seahorse" races to tub races, greasy pole climbs, and even a bun-eating challenge.

The most chaotic event was the famous "duck hunt," where a live duck was tossed off the pier for a free-for-all aquatic scramble. Mitchell brings this moment to life in bright wood and acrylic, showing the swimmers proudly clutching their hard-won duck trophy, sporting a few well-earned black eyes from the spirited fray.

These playful bollards celebrate the fun, determination, and colourful history of Geelong’s waterfront sporting culture.