The Alphington Swimming Pool was constructed on the banks of the Yarra River by local residents in the early 1920s and remained a focus of community life until the 1960s. Annual swimming carnivals were held at the Pool and local families often picnicked in the area. After falling into disuse, it was covered with silt from the river and was partly excavated and restored in 2001 by local residents.
A historical booklet, 'The Story of the Alphington Swimming Pool', is available from SAFCA and the City of Yarra (note it is currently out of print - we hope to have it re-printed before the end of 2006).
The booklet is the last stage of the Swimming Pool Project, which was funded by the Commonwealth Federation Fund. It included the commissioning of a Conservation Management Plan, the partial excavation of the Pool and repairs to the structure, and landscaping and planting around the site. SAFCA also received a grant from Australia’s Open Garden Scheme for some of the landscaping and planting in the area behind the pool and from the City of Yarra to assist with the printing of the booklet. The booklet was compiled by Richard Brown and designed by former Alphington resident Sandra Nobes.
There is also an A3 wall poster, also available from SAFCA, the City of Yarra, depicting the Wetlands and scenes from the history of the Swimming Pool.
About SAFCA
Opening of the Alphington Swimming Pool 1923
|
The Alphington Swimming Club Committee c.1929
|
The Pool, looking across the Yarra c. 1940s
|
|
|
|
|
