SWIMMING POOL

Swimming Pool

Contrary to local public opinion, Katanning was NOT the first town in Western Australia with a public swimming pool. Nor was it the first with a “purpose built” swimming pool. In fact, it was far from it. The first swimming pools built in country Western Australia were built in Coolgardie 1897, and Kalgoorlie in 1900.

What Katanning DID have “FIRST” was the first “Olympic” size pool in Western Australia, which was officially opened on Saturday 12 November 1938. The Olympic size swimming pool in Kalgoorlie was opened in December of 1938. Opened on 7 March 1934, even Gnowangerup had a public swimming pool before Katanning.

In 1929, Mr Alex Thomson M.L.A., a local businessman and and builder in Katanning, raised the matter as a possible centenary project for the town. His proposal included drawing water from the then disused town well which was capable of providing 24,000 gallons per day.

Katanning has always been regarded as a progressive town and a purpose built swimming pool was discussed on many occasions by members of the public and the Katanning Roads Board, however, the lack of suitable water was always a problem. It wasn’t until November of 1938, that a public swimming pool was finally opened in Katanning.

Prior to the construction of the swimming pool, people would travel out to Police Pools in the Twonkwillingup Reserve or to Lake Ewlyamartup for a picnic and a swim.

His proposal was reported by the Great Southern Advocate at the start of 1929:

TOWN BATHS FOR KATANNING?

Southern Districts Advocate
21 January, 1929

MR A. THOMSON, M.L.A., is keen on the provision of a swimming pool in Katanning as a centenary year movement. This, of course, is a proposal that has been thought of and talked of for years; but every scheme suggested was quickly condemned for one reason or other. The police pools, a pool in the park, and other still water propositions would not have a hope of passing the health authorities, and rightly so.

We do not know what Mr Thomson has in mind, but so far as we can see the only bathing scheme for this town must come from underground. It is claimed that there is an inexhaustible supply available from what is known as the town well at the old camping ground, and it has been proved that this will make 24,000 gallons per day. The water certainly, is brackish and contains a modicum of magnesia, but these defects would be considerably minimised by constant drawing from the flow. At least, such has been found to be the case in practically all parts of the Commonwealth.

The old hands tell us they used that same well water for all domestic purposes and grew good vegetables by using it. Such being the case, it should be possible to construct concrete baths, say on that site, pumping full to commence with, and afterwards replenishing with fresh supplies, at the same time permitting portion of the staler water to escape from a pipe at the bottom. If this were found suitable, some revenue could be obtained from it by draining it off to vacant blocks at the South-East end of the town, which the road board could permanently reserve and grow fodder for their horses, or the blocks could be leased, together with these irrigation prospects, to dairymen or others.

At any rate, baths would be a great boon to the citizens generally, and a splendid feature would be that every child would have the opportunity of learning to swim – an art which every person should become more or less proficient in. Mr Thomson had a letter before the town members on Thursday evening last, offering to discuss the matter with the board if that body so desired.

They decided to hold the question over to permit of a report being made, after which the question would be considered. In the meantime, Mr Thomson is to be thanked for his offer. This seems rather an off-handish way of treating an offer to lay before them a scheme claimed to be practicable. It is to be hoped that the thing will now be taken up seriously, and all suggestions carefully examined.

SWIMMING BATHS AT KATANNING.

Great Southern Herald
17 October 1934 – P3

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor.
Sir,
It may seem like flogging a dead horse but, after a visit to Gnowangerup, where I saw the splendid public swimming bath at that centre, the urge has conic upon me to attempt to revive interest in a similar project for Katanning. I am fully aware that the question of providing public swimming facilities in the town was put to a referendum of ratepayers and rejected by an overwhelming majority, but it does seem to me that this was because the ratepayers failed to realise just what a benefit such a provision could be to the town and district.

Katanning is justly regarded as one of the leading towns of the Great Southern districts, if not the leading town, and I believe the people of the district take a great pride in it. From a business point of view, the town has premises second to none south of Perth, and the mill is an industrial concern which would only be bettered by the woollen mills at Albany.

Our educational facilities ace the best in the State outside Perth, and we have every reason to be proud of the fact that at Katanning is a girls’ school which ranks amongst the best in the Slate, a good boy’s, school, a remarkably fine convent school and a state school that really should rank as a high school.

As a sporting community, the district has proved its worth in every avenue of sport, the array of trophies in the foyer of the Town Hall proving this contention.

One thing we lack, however, is the provision of swimming facilities. Nature has proved grudging in that respect, but modern scientific and engineering knowledge is at our command to make good the deficiency.

I firmly believe that the provision of a swimming pool, such as suggested by the local governing body last year, would prove a benefit to the business community, to the sporting fraternity and, above all, to the schools and the children. Possibly I may be regarded as a crank in miking the suggestion, but I would like to have the matter of a swimming pool for Katanning again discussed at a public meeting of citizens at an early date, to go into it thoroughly with the object of providing this facility which is so conspicuous by its absence.

Yours, etc.,
A. TILLY.
Katanning.

KATANNING SWIMMING CLUB

After the opening of the first purpose-built swimming pool in Kalgoorlie in February of 1897, it became birthplace to the Western Australian Amateur Swimming Association (WAASA) – the association now known as Swimming WA – in 1902.

With the opening of the Katanning Swimming Pool drawing near, which people originally complained was too far out of town, a meeting was called on Tuesday, 11 October, 1938, by Mr J W Old to start an amateur swimming club in the town.

The Great Southern Herald reported on that meeting:

KATANNING AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB
SUCCESSFUL MEETING.

Great Southern Herald
15 October, 1938

A public meeting convened by Mr. J. W. Old, and supported by the Katanning Road Board, was held in the Town Hall supper room on Tuesday evening to discuss the formation of a swimming club in Katanning. A good attendance of about forty young men of the town was present, and ample enthusiasm was shown which should promise success for this new sporting body.

Mr. J. W. Old was elected for the evening, and introduced the subject of the meeting, amongst other things drawing attention to the fact that in all avenues of sport, Katanning had excelled itself, and with such convenience as a swimming pool, should do even more to uphold the town’s reputation.

OFFICIALS.
It was decided that a club be formed and registered with the Amateur Swimming Club of WA and styled the Katanning Amateur Swimming Club.
The election of office-bearers resulted:
Patron, Mr. A. F. Watts, M.L.A.; President, Mr. J. W. Old; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. S. Hedges Dale and S. R. Evans; Secretary Treasurer, Mr. W. J. Kirkham; Committee (no less than eleven nominations were received for committee men, the five elected being Messrs.W. McGuckin, J. Began, C. Kessel, F. Routledge, F. Chadwick; Captain, Mr. G. Warren.

MEMBERSHIP FEES.
It was resolved that the membership fees be 5/- per year for seniors (over 18), 2/6 for juniors (16 to 18) and juveniles be admitted free. Registration fee of each member with the A.S.C. to be borne by the club.

GENERAL
A banking account with the Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd, will be opened and it was decided that the secretary and president, and or either of the two vice-presidents be empowered to sign cheques on behalf of the club.
It was decided that the committee meet before the official opening of the swimming pool (November 12) and arrange, if possible, an inter-town relay race.

OBJECTS OF THE CLUB.
The objects of the newly formed club are to promote the swimming sport in Katanning, to instruct swimmers and to arrange swimming sports and inter-town carnivals.
Amongst other privileges offered to members arrangements will be made, if possible, to have a certain period set aside for the club, when its members will have the use of the pool exclusively.

INTENDING MEMBERS.
All persons interested are invited to get in touch with the secretary, Mr. J. Kirkham, at the Commercial Bank, Katanning, who will only be too pleased to supply any information.Subscriptions also can be paid to Mr Kirkham.

QUESTION OF BATHING ATTIRE.

With the new town pool only weeks away, local people, particularly the young men, wanted to know what the standard of swimming attire would be. The matter was discussed at length at a Katanning Road Board meeting. Most of the discussion was about men’s swimming attire but nothing about ladies attire.

The Great Southern Herald reported as follows:

KATANNING SWIMMING POOL
QUESTION OF BATHING ATTIRE.

Great Southern Herald
29 October, 1938

At Wednesday’s meeting of the Katanning Road Board, Mr. J. F. Wanke told the chairman, during discussion on the opening of the town swimming baths, that residents of the town, and particularly young men, wanted to know, once and for all, what type of bathing costume was stipulated by those who had drawn up the by-laws.

Mr. Wanke’s inquiry raised the question of “maxima” and minima” so far as bathing apparel was concerned, for in a large community such as Katanning it is inevitable that tastes must vary.

The secretary hurried to the office and procured a copy of the Swimming Bath By-Laws printed in a recent issue of the “Government Gazette,” and read the only paragraph (a mighty short one) dealing with the question of what could be worn in the water. Besides being brief, the clause was frank. It made no attempt to stipulate modest neck-to-knee styles, such as many metropolitan town councils have done, to their ultimate disillusionment, but adopted a standard as modern as the baths themselves. It virtually said that bathers worn must conform with recognised standards of decency.

When Mr. Wanke raised the question of young men wearing trunks – the vogue now at most modern bathing resorts – members said there was nothing to object to in the practice, and doubtless large numbers of them would be seen at the opening. Discussion on what was a “fair thing” for the fairer sex was conspicuous by its absence.

ABOUT THE NEW SWIMMING POOL

The swimming pool nearing completion in November, 1938

Although many people had passed by or called in to watch the construction of the new pool, very few had any idea of what the finished pool would look like. A week out from its official opening, the Great Southern Herald reported as follows:

KATANNING SWIMMING POOL NEARLY COMPLETED.

Great Southern Herald
2 November, 1938

The ambitious scheme of the Katanning Road Board is now almost an accomplished fact and, according to Mr. Sansom, the engineer sent by Filtration and Water Softeners Pty. Ltd. from Melbourne to install the filtration plant, there is every hope that the pool will be ready for use on Saturday – a full week before the official opening.

It is quite safe to state that there is hardly a person in Katanning who, at some time or other, has not paid a visit to the pool, the weekends finding a continual stream of spectators going through the park.

Perhaps a word or two of description would not be out of place, seeing the extremely pleasant picture the pool presents, with its embryo gardens and young trees. The pool will be illuminated at night by six powerful electric lights and spectators are accommodated by a tier of seats on one side and a row of single forms on the other.

It appears that a number of people still appear dubious as to the condition of the water, and an explanation of how the filtration plant works would help a little. In the first place, clean water is forced into the pool through valves along the bottom, causing a continual overflow which goes into the wave-traps along the sides, taking all the unclean surface water with it. This overflow, if taken through the plant, first of all being thoroughly filtered and then purified by chemical treatment. New water is added to the pool at a rate of approximately 2,000 gallons per day.

SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF POOL

Swimming Pool c1939

The Katanning swimming pool was opened to the public a week earlier than expected. On that weekend over 500 people paid to enter the pool. The official opening ceremony was to be held on the following Saturday.

KATANNING SWIMMING ATTENDANCE EXCEEDS 500.

Swimming Pool c1940

Great Southern Herald
9 November 1938

The Katanning Swimming Pool was thrown open to the public over the weekend and will be open every day this week from 1 pm. onwards. It is estimated that during the afternoons of Saturday and Sunday over 500 persons were admitted to the pool.

On Saturday next the official opening will be performed by the Hon. E. H. Gray, M.L.C., after which the pool will be open from 6.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. daily, and during the evenings when there is sufficient demand.

The secretary of the Katanning Road Board, Mr. Evans, was notified that Messrs. W. Boylan, an official, and W. J. Kirkby, secretary, respectively, of the Amateur Swimming Association, will visit Katanning for the opening, bringing with them Percy Oliver (British Empire backstroke champion), Dorothy Green (British Empire freestyle ladies’ champion), R. Trent (State juvenile champion) and Sheila Holman (prominent Perth swimmer).

SWIMMING POOL OFFICIALLY OPENS

After much planning and building the Katanning community were looking forward to the official pool opening. There was a gala atmosphere and Australian swimming champions were in attendance for a display of swimming.

The Great Southern Herald provided reports directly prior to the event and then again following the event as follows:

KATANNING SWIMMING POOL
OFFICIAL OPENING TO-DAY.

Great Southern Herald
12 November 1938

With the official opening of the new Katanning Swimming Pool, whereby the dream of certain benefactors to the community has become an accomplished fact, to-day (Saturday) will be a red-letter day in the history of the town. An interesting programme, which should commend itself to everyone, has been arranged by the Katanning Road Board and the Swimming Pool Sub-Committee, the main features being demonstrations by a team of visiting champions, short addresses, an inter-town swimming relay, and items by the Katanning Silver Band. General swimming will be permitted at the conclusion of the programme.

The function will commence at 2.30 p.m. sharp with short addresses by Mr. F. M. Bowden, chairman of the Katanning Road Board, the Hon. E. H. Gray, M.L.C. (who will declare the pool open), Colonel Fairley (W.A. representative of the manufacturers of the plant) and Messrs. W. G. Bennett (visiting architect), A. F. Watts, M.L.A., and A. Thomson, M.L.C.

The speeches will be followed by demonstration items by the following champions: Percy Oliver (Olympic rep., British Empire, Australian and State backstroke champion. State freestyle champion), Ern Hobbs (breaststroke representative at the British Empire Games), Miss Dorothy Green (State freestyle champion), Miss Sheila Holman (State champion) and R. Trend (junior State champion). The demonstration will be followed by a novelty item and inter-town relay race between teams representing Katanning, Gnowangerup and Tambellup. The programme will be interspersed with items by the Katanning Silver Band, and at the conclusion general swimming will be permitted.

Townspeople are asked to make a special effort to be seated prior to 2.30 p.m. so that the programme can be carried on without interruption.

A charge of 1/- admission will be made for adults and 6d. for children. ‘With a further week of treatment by the plant, the water in the baths is now crystal clear, the concrete paving on the bottom of the excavation being clearly visible on Friday morning.

Opening of Swimming Pool
HIGHLIGHT IN KATANNING’S PROGRESS.
RECORD ATTENDANCE.

Great Southern Herald
16 November 1938

One of the highlights of Katanning’s history occurred on Saturday last when the swimming pool, put down by the Road Board at a cost of approximately £3,000, was officially opened.

Under perfect weather conditions, the pool presented a pretty sight with the delightfully cool appearance of the water and the myriad colours of the spectators, appropriately garbed for the occasion. No less than 900 persons were admitted to witness the official opening and demonstrations by some of the world’s leading swimmers.

That last point may not have been brought home thoroughly to the residents of Katanning – both Percy Oliver and Dorothy Green are British Empire championship title holders. Oliver has already taken part in the Olympic Games, and Dorothy Green will represent Australia at the 1940 Games. Hobbs and Bob Trend are both champions in their own class.

OFFICIAL OPENING.
For the convenience of speakers, the official party was staged on the high-diving platform, their remarks being broadcast by means of H. Wanke’s amplifiers, lent for the occasion.
Mr. F. M. Bowden, chairman of the Katanning Road Board, in introducing the Hon. E. H. Gray, M.L.C., said it was very pleasing to see so many people present. He made an appeal for the co-operation of the people, as the future of the pool lay in their hands.

It had been installed at their request and was their property. He extended a welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Gray and to the visitors and representatives of outside governing bodies. He welcomed Col. Fairley, the State representative of the company which installed the filtration plant, and thanked him for bringing the swimmers and officials of the Amateur Swimming Association from Perth with him.

When welcoming the swimmers he expressed his regret that Sheila Holman had been unable to accompany Percy Oliver, Dorothy Green, Ernie Hobbs and Bob Trend. While Mr. Bowden had the Government’s representative, Mr. Gray, more or less at his mercy, he took the opportunity of impressing upon him the acute position of Katanning regarding water supplies. In concluding, he referred to the splendid work Mr. Collingwood, assisted by Mr. Evans, had done in the construction of the pool. The board’s thanks were also due to Mr. Thomson and Mr. Bennett, both of whom had rendered great assistance.

Apologies were read from Hon. H. V. Piesse, M.L.C., Mr. Bennett and the Mayor of Wagin, who were unable to attend.

Mr. Gray said it gave him much pleasure to represent the Government at the function. He stressed the purity of the water in the pool and stated it was the first scientifically operated and the first inland swimming pool of its type in the State. Mr, Gray complimented the board on the manner in which it was facing the water supply problem, but was very careful not to commit himself regarding the Government’s attitude towards rural water supplies. Mr. Bowden then called on Colonel Fairley, who congratulated Katanning on taking the lead in the matter of swimming pools in this State.

Often country districts led the way, and this was an outstanding instance of a progressive policy. He brought home the fact of the absolute purity of the water and, so as to show what that water was like before treatment, he held up a beaker of rubbish taken out of the screens. The working of the plant was explained, and he added that no bacteria could live for more than 12 seconds in the water. “Five hundred of you can get into that pool, and Mr. Sansom (the construction engineer) and I will take a drink of the water as it comes out of the filters,” stated the speaker in impressing the nature of the pool contents. He was pleased to see that the visit of the swimmers was so greatly appreciated, and he trusted that local exponents of the art would benefit. Colonel Fairley also took the opportunity to draw attention to the capabilities of the system for purification of town and private water supplies.

Mr. A. F. Watts, M.L.A., moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Gray for coming from Perth, and congratulated the board on the repeated efforts it had made to get the pool. He said the citizens of Katanning should feel grateful to the Road Board for its progressiveness.

In seconding the vote of thanks to Mr. Gray, the Hon. A. Thomson, M.L.C., said he felt proud of the board’s achievement. The construction of the pool was the realisation of a dream. While in Africa some ten years ago he had been taken to see a swimming pool of a similar nature, and at that time had expressed the hope that one day Katanning would be served in such a fashion. He had much pleasure in taking part in the official opening and congratulated the board on its progressive attitude. He congratulated Mr. Collingwood and Mr. Evans and the workmen, all of whom had done their utmost for the benefit of the pool. He wished every success for its future. Actually, it was good out of evil, concluded Mr. Thomson, because if there had been no water shortage there would not have been any well – and without the well there would have been no swimming pool.

The Mayor of Narrogin (Mr. I Myers), on behalf of the municipalities, and Mr. Tom Haddleton, chairman of the Woodanilling Road Board, on behalf of the road boards, supported the vote of thanks.
The Hon. E. H. Gray, M.L.C, then declared the pool officially open.

Mr. Bowden called on Mr. W. Boylan, an official of the Amateur Swimming Association, who introduced the visiting swimmers before commencing the demonstrations.

SWIMMING DEMONSTRATION.
One of the interesting items of the afternoon was a demonstration of correct swimming and starting methods by Percy Oliver (British Empire Games, Australian and State backstroke champion and State freestyle champion), Ernest Hobbs (British Empire Games breaststroke champion), Miss Dorothy Green (British Empire Games, Australian and State freestyle champion) and Bobby Trend (juvenile freestyle and schools champion). The swimmers were introduced by Mr. W. Boylan, an official of the W.A. Amateur Swimming Association, who was assisted by Mr. J. Kirkby, secretary.

Owing to the fact that they had commenced training only recently, none of the visitors gave demonstrations of sprinting. This was fortunate for the spectators, who were enabled to watch the details of the champions’ styles more or less in slow motion. Percy Oliver’s freestyle and backstroke was both effortless and powerful. He appeared to slide through the water with minimum muscular effort and without breaking the surface – a token that all power expended was going into propulsion.

The same remarks might be made about Miss Green, who ably demonstrated that championship swimming was not brute force but discipline of the limbs. Ernest Hobbs, a man of particularly sturdy build, showed the possibilities of the breaststroke, his powerful strokes and leg movement carrying him through the water at telling speed. Bobby Trend, who has not yet turned thirteen and already has distinguished himself in State junior and interschool events, has all the essentials of style which, if further developed, will bring him into the Olympic class. His demonstration was much admired and applauded by the schoolboys of the district.

Particularly edifying to swimmers of the local club was Percy Oliver’s exhibition of the freestyle and back stroke turns, by means of which he appears to gain rather than lose time.

One essential insisted upon by Mr. Boylan was the correct take-off. His direction was “Get ready,” followed by a pause of about two seconds, and then “Go!” On the word “Go!” every swimmer must still have his feet on the board. The racing dive, used by all the visiting champions, consists of a powerful spring from the ledge and entry into the water at such an oblique angle that it appears to be almost what is commonly known as a “gutzer.” But there is a difference, and when examined it is very considerable. The race diver takes the brunt of the contact with his chest, the other unfortunate lands flat on his stomach. One method demonstrated, and recommended for coaching, was use of the kicking board – a piece of 2in. pine about 2ft. x 15in. – which swimmers use to strengthen and perfect their leg action.

THE POOL.
After a week of treatment by the chlorination plant, the water was almost crystal clear on Saturday afternoon, and so inviting that the youngsters were making full use of the fenced-off portion known as “Mugs’ Alley” before the official opening had taken place.

When it is realised that 600 adults and 300 children paid for admission on Saturday afternoon and the baths themselves were not unduly overcrowded, there is reason to believe that bathing accommodation will be adequate for some years to come. The hygienic capacity of the baths, according to Colonel Fairley, is 500 people for any given time, but it must be remembered that if 500 swimmers were present, barely 200 of them would be in the water continuously.

The adults’ portion of the baths, exclusive of “Mugs’ Alley,” is 100ft. x 36ft., the depth varying from 4ft. to 6ft. 6in. under the diving boards. The pool and approaches are made of concrete and buffalo lawns have been planted on all available spare ground.

The water supply has to be obtained from an underground bore put down early in 1937 by the Katanning Road Board. Indicating the efficiency of the chlorination-filtration plant, the water on Saturday of last week had a brownish tinge caused by the presence of sediment from the bore, but on the day of the opening, after the plant had been working almost continuously for a week, it was as clear as rainwater.

The whole contents of the baths are turned over every eight hours, the water being impregnated with a relatively small amount of chlorine (equal to 1 1/2 gallons per million), but sufficient to kill any known species of germ in 12 seconds. Thus people who may be skeptical of using the baths should bear in mind that the water is infinitely cleaner than that in the lakes, billabongs and rivers of the district to which they have been accustomed, and probably the majority of rainwater tanks.

A scum trap built in the bath walls at water level carries off any accumulation of dust or floating matter and the contents are filtered as well as purified by chemical means. A spring-board (donated by Hon. A. Thomson, M.L.C.) and high-dive have been erected at the south end of the pool, iron ladder exits have been placed at intervals in the deeper water, while the north end shallows off to a few inches and is accessible by means of concrete steps. The section known as “Mugs’ Alley” is perfectly safe for children and separated from the deeper water by a stout wooden fence.

While many critics have observed that the dressing rooms are inadequate, it must be realised that initial expenditure is a big factor in ventures of this kind, and that the old adage of walking before one runs is very applicable. The board probably quite conscious of the need of more accommodation in the dressing rooms, and no doubt will take steps to remedy it when funds permit.

The shop attached to the baths and run by the redoubtable Peter Alabach is well stocked with confectionery, etc., and has done a brisk trade for the two weekends the baths have been open.

A feature of the refinements to the grounds was a grove of well-shaped jam trees which appeared to have sprung up overnight. The secret of this arboreal achievement is known only to Supervisor Collingwood.

Another refinement – also created by the supervisor – is “Flip” the frog, who sits contentedly at the edge of the pool, projecting a double stream of water through his nostrils. The fact that his eyes are dress buttons, his body is moulded of solid concrete and he is really an outsize in toads, does not detract from his life-like appearance.

SWIMMING POOL REPORT

KATANNING SWIMMING POOL

West Australian
23 November 1938

KATANNING. Nov. 22
Since the new Katanning swimming pool with its chlorination plant was opened to the public on November 15. and including the official opening on November 12, the total receipts from admissions and the sale of season tickets has amounted to £240. This sum exceeds the estimate of revenue previously made for the whole season, and the Katanning Road Board is highly gratified with the result. During the recent spell of hot weather, the pool was used by hundreds of residents from all parts of the town and district and it is certain that even greater use will be made of it when the summer comes in earnest. A swimming instructor has been appointed at the Katanning State school and the local scholars are to be admitted for swimming lessons on certain days of the week.

HAWAIIAN SWIMMER:
Visit to Katanning.

Great Southern Herald
25 February 1939 – P2

The Itinerary in this State of K. Nakama, the noted Hawaiian swimmer, who arrived in Perth on Thursday by ‘plane from the Eastern States, has been announced by the W.A. Amateur Swimming Association.

After appearing in competitive swimming matches at Crawley Baths during the week, Nakama will attend country carnivals as follows:

KATANNING – Saturday, March 4.
Manjimup – Sunday, March 5.
Wiluna – Monday, March 6.
Kalgoorlie – March 8 and 11.

He will return to the Eastern States by train on March 12.

1939 SWIMMING CARNIVAL

SUCCESS OF POSTPONED SWIMMING CARNIVAL:
Local Club’s Persistence Rewarded.

Great Southern Herald
28 February 1939 – P3

The old adage which says that the third attempt is always successful was amply demonstrated on Thursday evening when the Katanning Amateur Swimming Club, a lusty young organisation whose keenness is commensurate with the excellent appointments at the town Swimming Pool, staged its inaugural carnival after two unavoidable postponements.

In sharp contrast to the previous occasions arranged for the event, weather conditions were perfect – a warm night, absence of wind and clear sky – while the attendance must be regarded as highly satisfactory.

Under electric light, the crystal water of the Katanning Swimming Pool, with new cork-lined lanes for the competitors, looked extremely attractive, and it seemed that the water surface had grown in size since we viewed it in daylight a few hours before.

Once the programme was under way, the commendable organisation of the club was witnessed with plenty of officials to run the events, good starts, a minimum of delay between events and a wonderful patronage from local enthusiasts. Announcements and bustling for the next event were made through Mr. P. J. Miller’s electrical amplifying equipment, while a running commentary on the races was ably delivered by Mr. W. “Bill” Stephens.

Following a march through the town, the Katanning Silver Band rendered bright selections between events, greatly adding to the night’s enjoyment.

ALBANY SWIMMERS MISFORTUNE.
The only regrettable feature of an excellent night was the late arrival of the Albany competitors, whom, it must be stated at the outset, did all in their power to keep faith with their Katanning friends. To ensure an early arrival they engaged a “reliable” sedan taxi and, when only 13 miles on the track, experienced engine trouble of a type which occurs perhaps once in a thousand trips. They were unavoidably late and could not enter any of the main events. A special inter-town relay was arranged between Katanning and Albany in order to afford the visitors an opportunity of swimming, and Mr. W. P. Bird, an enthusiastic supporter of the club, donated a trophy for the event.

IMPROVEMENT IN SWIMMING.
On the score of swimming alone, the club certainly has justified its existence, for it is evident that at least 50 young men of the town have been brought on from poor amateur status to a comparatively high state of speed and efficiency.

Another noteworthy feature was the support received from the Katanning State School, with the speed of the lads who took part, and their excellent showing in the neat dive. It is a tribute to the instructor (Mr. Jim Regan) that the State School relay team, when matched against six other combinations in the grand relay, finished third, with only a few feet separating it from first place.

There were plenty of thrills in the finishes of various events and amusement in the novelty and diving events. The balloon race was particularly interesting, likewise the fancy dive, which brought forth a series of weird and wonderful gymnastics from the competitors, including corkscrews, jack knives, back somersaults, half screws, spirals, and a “newy” on  us – the “billy goat” dive.

OFFICIAL ADDRESS.
During an interval, the president, Mr. J. W. Old, speaking through the amplifier, thanked patrons for their support and expressed pleasure at seeing such a representative attendance after two postponements. He referred to the vast improvement in local swimming since the pool was inaugurated and commended competitors on the high standard of their swimming and diving.

Mr. Old thanked the business people and friends of the club for the many valuable trophies they had presented, the Katanning Silver Band and the St. John Ambulance Association for their voluntary services.

Before concluding, he reminded patrons of the coming visit of Nakama, the Hawaiian champion, who would appear at the Katanning Swimming Pool on Saturday, March 4th.

THE EVENTS.
Results of the various events were as follows:

50 YARDS JUNIOR HANDICAP FREESTYLE
First heat: B. Lawson, 1; Don. Squiers, 2.
Second heat: L. Leeder, 1; A. Quartermaine, 2.
Third heat: D. Rogers, 1; D. Quartermaine, 2.
FINAL: L. Leeder (45 sees.), 1; Des. Rogers (46 sees), 2; Don. Squiers (46 3-5 sees.), 3.

50 YARDS LADIES’ FREESTYLE HANDICAP.
First heat: Miss R. Slater, 1; Miss J. Tree, 2.
Second heat: Mrs. G. Wilson and Miss G. Beeck, dead heat.
FINAL: Miss G. Beeck (45 3-5 sees.), 1; Mrs. G. Wilson (46 2-5 sees.), 2.

50 YARDS SENIOR FREESTYLE HANDICAP.
First heat: Rex Flugge, 1; F. Routledge, 2.
Second heat: J. Pope, 1; R. Richmond, 2.
Third heat: L. G. Brannelly, 1; B. Stronach, 2.
Fourth heat: T. Daws, 1; J. Tylor, 2.
Fifth heat: W. Lewis, 1; G. D. Warren, 2.
Sixth heat: D. G. Swan, 1; C. S. Butler, 2.
Semifinals. First heat: Rex Flugge, 1; R. Richmond, 2.
Second heat: L. G. Brannelly, 1; T. Daws, 2.
Third heat: W. Lewis, 1; C. S. Butler, 2.
FINAL: W. Lewis (35 2-5 sees.), 1; C. S. Butler (35 3-5 sees.), 2.

100 YARDS KATANNING FREE STYLE CHAMPIONSHIP.
F. Routledge (68 sees.), 1; B. Joy (69 4-5 sees.), 2.

JUNIOR NEAT DIVE.
Don. Squiers (73 points), 1; J. Templeman (69 points), 2. (Ninety points were allotted in this event.)

BALLOON RACE.
Competitors were required to inflate a balloon at the starting point, dive in, swim 33 yards, climb from the water and burst the balloon. Winner: E. Hobley.

TEAMS RACE
(Katanning v. Albany).
Competitors:
Katanning – E. Hobley, G. D. Warren, B. Joy and J. Pope.
Albany – N. Broun, L. Cronin, J. McDougall and L. Farley.
Event won by Katanning, 78 2-5 secs.; Albany, 81 2-5 sees.

FANCY DIVE
(swallow dive compulsory and three other optional fancy dives).
Len Mosscrop (96 points), 1; D. Clegg (95 points), 2.
(In this event 120 points were allotted.)

BUSINESS HOUSES’ RELAY.
First heat: Post Office (88 2-5 sees.), 1; State School (92 2-5 sees.), 2; Gare and Mouritz, 3; Yeldon Motors, 4.
Second heat: Westralian Farmers (88 sees.), 1; Elder, Smith and Co. (89 4-5 sees.), 2; Richardson and Co., 3.
FINAL: Elder, Smith and Co. (89 4-5 sees.), 1; Post Office (90 sees.), 2; State School, 3.

Winning teams, Elder, Smith and Co.: 3. Tylor, L. Allnutt, K. Harley, T. Daws. Post Office: S. R. Wolfe, R. Campbell, J. Cassidy and A. Tressider. State School: L. Heal, D Quartermaine, J. Smart and L. Leeder.

THE OFFICIALS.
The officials to whom much of the success of the event was due were:
Starter, Mr. S. R. Evans; timekeeper, Mr. C. Hessel; check timekeeper, Mr. W. J. France; referee, Mr. J. W. Old; judges, Messrs. F. Chadwick and C. Dilworth; call steward, Mr. F. Armstrong; turning judges, Messrs. W. P. Bird, P. Hannah, J. W. Old and W. F. McGuckin.

State Timeline Early Swimming Pools

Coolgardie
An opening ceremony for the saltwater Coolgardie Municipal Baths (Western Australia’s first swimming pool) was held at Coolgardie on January 11, 1897, with more than 300 celebrating. The pool was 22.8m long and 11m wide, according to records provided by the Eastern Goldfields Historical Society.
Blasted out of solid rock and cemented, the pool held 150,000 gallons of water, pumped seven miles from Hampton Plains.
About 120,000 gallons flowed daily into the pool, with the excess pumped into a tank raised on a platform 4.5m high, from which it gravitated to some sluice boxes on Fly Fat to be used to recover gold.
The baths had 50 dress boxes for use by patrons and 13 showers and there were arrangements for heating the water when necessary.

Kalgoorlie
In February 1897, champion swimmer Ernest Cavill started Kalgoorlie’s first swimming baths, after securing 15,000 gallons of water per day from Hannan’s Proprietary Mine. The Kalgoorlie Swimming Club was formed in late 1900, in readiness for the opening of the new Municipal Baths in December 1900. Individual and team events, as well as general entertainment, saw the monthly carnivals become popular on the Goldfields.
In 1902 it became birthplace to the Western Australian Amateur Swimming Association (WAASA) – the association now known as Swimming WA. 
The Kalgoorlie Olympic Pool, later renamed Lord Forrest Pool, was opened in 1938. It was the second Olympic pool built in Australia and was the only Olympic pool in Western Australia until Beatty Park in Perth 1962. It officially opened on 24 December, 1938.

KELLERBERRIN POOL
The Katanning experience

During 1954, and with exceedingly hot weather over the summer months, the townspeople were considering the construction of a swimming pool for the town. Unfortunately, like many country towns at the time, there was reluctance by many to spend the money for such a project. However, there were those that persevered researching what other towns had done to achieve such an outcome.

Details of the successful Katanning swimming pool project in 1938 were put forward in a document to the Kellerberrin Road Board to, hopefully, add weight to the project going ahead. A report appeared in the Eastern Recorder, 7 January 1954, and is included below.

Swimming pool c1954

Swimming pool c1954

Photos are from the Katanning Memories Facebook Group

KELLERBERRIN
KATANNING ROAD BOARD’S PROJECT
PROVES SUCCESSFUL

The Eastern Recorder
Kellerberrin
7 January 1954

With the temperature soaring over the century mark several days during the Christmas and New Year holidays, all thoughts in Kellerberrin and areas were again visualised with “significant reluctance” on a swimming pool.

Recent perusal of various plans, and also enquiries made as to the cost and construction of a suitable size pool for our town, suggest that perhaps the following will assist in determining the essential concerns for such a project.

Katanning’s Effort

Although built some years ago, when the cost of materials and labour was considerably lower, the following gives some indication of this town’s effort after the road board had decided at the end of 1938, after holding a referendum of the ratepayers, to construct a swimming pool. This was to be fitted with filtration and purification plant as manufactured by Messrs. Filtration and Water Softening Pty. Ltd., of Melbourne, at a total cost of about £3000.

Plans and specifications were prepared by the board’s secretary – engineer S.R. Evans, and the work was carried out by the board’s staff under the supervision of their supervisor, W. P. Collingwood.

The pool is constructed of reinforced concrete on slightly elevated ground in the Katanning Park, but near enough to a dry creek bed for drainage purposes. This park provides sufficient space with shady trees for, parking cars adjacent to the entrance to the pool, and is very close to the centre of the town. It is the desire to have several tennis courts constructed on the land adjoining the pool fence at a later date.

The land has about l0in. of loam on top and there is a gravelly type of clay below this. The excavation was carried out with a Fordson tractor and scoops, the sides and bottom being shaped by hand.

Timber forms were set up as required for the walls, this being approximately 6in. thick, reinforced with 3/8in. bars spaced 1ft. apart horizontally and vertically, and hooked into the reinforcement in the floor. The walls are carried up about 18ins. above ground level and these are 19in. thick at the top, where they cover the scum gutter, or wave trap, that is built in at top water level.

The floor is constructed of 6in. reinforced concrete with the inlet pipes cased in concrete under the centre. The whole of the inner sides and bottom of the pool is floated with smooth cement, the dimensions of the pool being 123ft. long by 36ft. wide.

A section of the shallow end, 23ft. by 27ft., is fenced in for children, the depth of this section ranging from 1ft. 6in to 3ft. This leaves the main swimming area is 100ft. long by 36ft. wide, with the depth ranging from 4ft. to 6ft. 6in. then dropping steeply to 9ft, then rising to 6ft. at the diving end.

The concourse around the pool is constructed of concrete 12ft. wide and fills the whole of the space between the dressing rooms and other buildings in order to prevent sand, etc., being carried into the pool on the bathers’ feet. Outside this concourse, lawns have been planted and seating erected. Four dressing rooms 16ft. by 12ft. have been erected with dressed Jarrah weatherboards, 4ft. up from the ground and sheeted with asbestos above this. Above this, there is one foot of fine mesh wire netting around each building to provide sufficient lighting and ventilation. These buildings have lantern type hip roofs, which have been painted green and the woodwork oiled. Whilst these are not as durable as brick buildings, they are considerably cheaper and they look very neat and attractive. Three sanitary conveniences and urinals have been constructed.

A shop 16ft. by 12ft. has been constructed, the design being similar to that of the dressing rooms. This has two large shutters on the pool side that give access to the counter. A small kitchen has been added to this building for the convenience of the shop tenant. In front of the shop a large multi-striped awning has been erected on a pipe frame to act as a verandah. A small ticket office has been erected at the end of this shop, through which patrons gain entrance to the pool.

The pool and buildings are enclosed by a 4ft. chain mesh wire fence with top and bottom rail, two plain wires above the top rail and is finished off with a barbed wire on top.

The approximate capacity is 135,000 gallons. The water in the pool is filtered and purified by a plant supplied and erected by Filtration and Water Softening Pty. Ltd. Of Melbourne, at the rate of one complete turnover every 12 hours. This plant has been kept running continuously for 24 hours per day since the opening of the pool and tests have shown that the water is perfectly pure and clear as crystal after being used by many thousands of bathers.

The cost of the complete project was £3000. This being made up of £1850 for the treatment plant, filters, pumps, motors, chemical dry feeders, chlorinator, suction cleaning tool and all inlet and outlet pipes and fittings. Excavation and construction of pool was £750 0 0, concrete concourse and drains £130 0 0, buildings and rainwater tanks £500 00, fencing and gates £70 0 0, paths, gardens, springboards and seating, etc. $65 0 0, lighting £35 0 0, which totalled £1550 0 0 The board raised a loan of £3000 for this work on which the annual interest and principal repayment amounted to approximately £200. At the commencement of that year a loan rate of one penny in the pound on the unimproved capital value was levied in the town ward. This produced £250 0 0.

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