• Swimming
• Interview :: Mick Munroe
• Interview :: Andrew Jennings
• Boating
• Interview :: Bob and Carol Lewis
• Interview :: John Southwood
• Object :: Kayaks
• Object :: John Southwood's Kayak
• Object :: Olympics Blazers
• Fishing
• Interview :: Kevin Laughton
• Object :: Brown Trout
• Object :: Fly Lines
• Object :: Fishing Rods
• Object :: Golden Perch
• Object :: OTAS Memorabilia
• Parks, Gardens and Fountains
• Interview :: John Chappell
• Object :: Water Stress Sculpture

Swimming

Swimming is one of summer's pleasures. Long before the development of formal swimming pools, people swam in creeks, lakes and at waterfalls. Lake Canobolas, Junction Reefs and Ophir were popular spots in the Orange district for a swim and a picnic. Even farm dams, with their deliciously muddy bottoms, provided a welcome respite from the summer heat. Once houses had access to piped water, children enjoyed summer fun with sprinklers, hoses, wading pools and water pistols.

View Caption
The first public baths were in Peisley Street behind what is now the Gallery and Library. The gas works can be seen in the background. The pool was murky and lacked modern filtering and chlorination. It was known as the 'duck pond' and local doctors joked that it was good for business.
Photo: Rob Bartlett Collection

The first unofficial pool in Orange was in James Cox's brick pit in Summer Street, a murky pond where dead animals were occasionally found. The Blackman's Swamp watercourse was the natural spot for the first Council swimming pool, which opened in 1924 on swampy land behind what is now the Gallery and Library. When North Sydney Swimming Club gave a demonstration of life saving, regulations stipulated neck-to-knee swimming costumes. By the mid 1920s Orange Amateur Swimming Club was established with an initial membership of 50.

View Caption
Orange City Council opened the King George VI Memorial baths in 1958 on land in National or Moulder Park adjoining Blackman’s Swamp Creek. With better water-filtering technology it was a great improvement on the old swimming pool. This photo was probably taken soon after the pool opened. Note the lack of landscaping. The 1956 Melbourne Olympics led to a great interest in competitive swimming and many councils began to build Olympic-sized swimming pools. The Orange pool complex, with a diving and infants pool, was recognised as one of the best in Australia.
Photo: Orange City Council

View Caption
In the 1950s and 1960s many families had a wading pool that kept children cool in the summer months.
Photo: Alan Winkworth