In March of 1940, an 18-year-old woman from Perth named Patricia “Pat” Hawkins broke several Australian cycling records, including the “seven days” record (by cycling 1546.6 miles in a week) and the women’s “1,000 mile” record (with a time of 104 hours and 9 minutes).
On the night of March 14, a baby was born at Perth’s Harrisdale Hospital, which is located on the Canning Highway.
Pat Hawkins frequently passed the hospital on her record-breaking ride, [and] won the admiration of the mother who decided to name her baby Patricia. As the baby was a boy she changed the name to Patrick.
P.S. Did you know what the Canning Highway is the road being referenced in the title of the 1979 AC/DC song “Highway to Hell“?
Sources:
- “World Record by Girl Cyclist.” Daily News [Perth, WA] 16 Mar. 1940: 8
- “World’s record to a W.A. girl.” Sporting Globe 20 Mar. 1940: 9.
- Pat Hawkins (cyclist) – Wikipedia
Image: Clipping from the Sporting Globe (20 Mar. 1940)