Kororoit Creek Swimming Pool

The site of this pool was in one of the many big holes in the Kororoit Creek as it wound it's way through the Deer Park and Sunshine districts.

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In the 1920's saw official activities taking place at this "Big Hole" including a Swimming Carnival and Life Saving Display conducted by the Sunshine Swimming and Life Saving Club.

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In the early 1930's better facilities were built including concrete dressing sheds, a toddlers concrete pool, starting platforms and diving boards and grassed spectator terraces with concrete steps down to the pool edge.

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In 1936, the pool hosted the Victorian State Swimming Championships as it became a major community recreation venue.

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It is said former Olympic swimmer Frank Beaurepaire who won three silver and three bronze medals at the games trained in this pool and possible after big holes in the Kororoit Creek from the 1900's to the 1920's.

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Unfortunately swimming activities were interrupted by the Second World War and then the pool became so polluted by chemicals and together with a number of tragic drownings, the pool was declared unsafe and was closed down. In the early 1950's the Council blasted the concrete structures away in an attempt to remove any temptation of public swimming.

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Ref: John Whillaton

Photos: S&DHS