Post-war 1946 to1969

Australia prospered in the post-war period and embarked on a massive migration program, that would make it a far more multicultural nation.

Australian families were increasingly likely to have their own car and sometimes even a swimming pool in their backyard, either a relatively inexpensive above ground or a more expensive inground pool.

As increased coastal populations led to declining water quality in many areas, chlorinated freshwater pools came to seem more appealing than polluted ocean baths. Hotels, motels and caravan parks began to construct their own swimming pools.

Australian swimming successes at the Melbourne, Rome and Tokyo Olympics fuelled enthusiasm for competitive swimming.

A few ocean baths were constructed during this period, mostly in coastal communities with no other convenient public pool.

Australia's currency changed from pounds to dollars in 1966. During the 1960s, Australia also adopted the SI measurements, changing from measuring length in inches, feet, yards, chains and miles to using centimetres, metres and kilometres.  In the SI system, volumes were measured in litres and cubic metres, rather than gallons and cubic feet. Weights were measured in kilograms and tonnes rather than pounds and tons. 

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