In 1920 she became the first woman in any sport to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games (at Antwerp). She came 5th in the final of the 100 metres freestyle and 7th in the final of the 300 metres. She was only 15 years of age at the time. She was coached by her father Cecil. She married Harold Robb in 1933. In December 1996 she died in Auckland, age 91. (obituary in NZ Olympic Committee newsletter, 14, July 1997)
Walrond, Violet Ethel Mary, 1905-1996
Robb, Violet Ethel Mary, 1905-1996
There are 4 related items to this topic
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Tamaki West Summer Beach Carnival to be held at St Helier's Bay & Kohimarama Beach from...
Date: 1923
From: [Ephemera relating to carnivals and celebrations in New Zealand. 1920-1929]
By: Webster (Firm)
Reference: Eph-A-CARNIVAL-1923-01
Description: A schedule of events for 6-13 January, including yacht races, swimming sports, dinghy races, model yacht races, aquatic events, Scotch and Irish dancing, flower and horticultural show,home industries exhibition, floral fete, hunting competitions, boy and girl riding contests, athletic sports, tug of war, wrestling, baby show, Fire Brigade tournament, bowling tournament, tennis tournament, aviation displays, grand bazaar, side shows. Includes photographs of two women swimmers, Miss P Hoeft, and Miss Violet Walrond. Dated from the time at which Violet Walrond would have been competing as a swimmer. Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s). Physical Description: Booklet of 12 pages, each 204 x 135 mm. Provenance: Purchased from John Martin, dealer, London, in 2005.
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[Two loose pages from a swimming programme. ca 1922]
Date: 1920 - 1924
From: [Programmes and ephemera for swimming carnivals and meetings. 1920-1929].
Reference: Eph-A-SWIMMING-1922-01
Description: Two loose pages: One (pages 15-16) shows a photograph of Miss Gwitha Shand (Canterbury), Mrs J Reid (chaperone, Wanganui), and Miss Violet Walrond (Auckland), in Sydney on an Australian tour. The verso of this page can be used to fill in a summary of points for various competing provincial swimming teams. The other (pages 21-22) shows a photograph of Gwitha Shand. The page and the verso includes advertising for Windsor chocolate nut clusters, S V Walker Umbrellas, a Wellington Gas Company gas cooker, and J O'Brien & Co, general carriers. Quantity: 2 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Offset prints on pages 210 x 136 mm. Provenance: Two items donated by Swimmimg New Zealand, October 2003 Transfers: Other material from Swimming New Zealand is housed at PA-Group-00392.
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Violet Walrond and Miss Beaurepaire during the 1920 Olympic Games, Antwerp, Belgium - S...
Date: 1920
By: Sport and General Press Agency
Reference: 1/2-C-016194-F
Description: Original Free Lance caption reads:" Miss Violet Walrond, the fifteen year old water wonder of New Zealand, and and Miss Beaurepaire, the Australian lady champion swimmer, about to take to the water at the Olympic Games at Antwerp." Sport and General Press Agency photograph taken in Belgium in 1920. Photographer unidentified. This image is a copy of a photograph published in the New Zealand Free Lance, 6 October 1920, page 13. Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s).
Online
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Group at the first New Zealand junior and intermediate championships, Wanganui
Date: 1918
From: Making New Zealand :Negatives and prints from the Making New Zealand Centennial collection
By: O'Neill, B, active 1918
Reference: MNZ-0992-1/4-F
Description: Group portrait of swimmers, and others, at the first New Zealand junior and intermediate championships held at Wanganui in 1918. Shows a trophy on the right. Includes Gwitha Shand (bottom row, second from right) and Violet Walrond (bottom row, third from right). (Photograph taken by B O'Neill ?) Published in 'Making New Zealand' Vol 2, No 26, page 21 Quantity: 1 b&w copy negative(s). Physical Description: Film negative Provenance: Item lent by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association to the Department of Internal Affairs for publication in 'Making New Zealand' in 1939.