Annette Marie Sarah Kellermann (1886 - 1975), by unknown photographer, 1902-12, courtesy of La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria. H88.18/135. .Image Details

KELLERMANN, ANNETTE MARIE SARAH (1886-1975), swimmer, aquatic performer and film actress, was born on 6 July 1886 at Marrickville, Sydney, daughter of Australian-born Frederick William Kellermann, violinist, and his French wife Alice Ellen, née Charbonnet, pianist and music teacher. A weakness in Annette's legs necessitated the wearing of painful steel braces and at 6, to strengthen her legs, she learned to swim at Cavill's baths in Sydney. By 13 her legs were practically normal and by 15 she mastered all the swimming strokes, using F. Lane and Percy Cavill as her models for the trudgen and single overarm strokes, and won her first race. She also gave diving displays.

In 1902 Annette took up swimming in earnest and won the ladies' 100 yards ...

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Source:

Australian Dictionary of Biography