The swimming team members in this photo are, standing, Bob Grieve, Chris Bath and Tom Grieve. Sitting are George Partridge, Russell Harrison and Clarry Goman. In those days swimming events were held in the Apsley River behind the present location of the Walcha Central School.
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Bell’s Life of February 22, 1851 reported a swimming race held at Walcha earlier that month as part of a well-attended Sports Day. Gullidge of Sydney won the race from Grant of Emu Creek with the newspaper’s account reading: “Had the winner not adopted the aboriginal mode of swimming for the last 20 yards, viz, rolling and his hands forward out of the water he would have been hard pressed by Grant.”
Walcha’s Apsley Swimming Club was in existence by 1896 and conducted diving and swimming events as part of the town’s celebrations on Anniversary Day.
Early in 1901 council received a petition against bathing in the vicinity of the Chinese market garden “where big boys were in the habit of running about in a nude state”.
Early in 1901 council received a petition against bathing in the vicinity of the Chinese market garden “where big boys were in the habit of running about in a nude state”.
Ald. Harrison considered that every boy should be taught to swim but council decided that a notice be inserted in the local paper advising that bathing was prohibited within a mile and a half of either side of the Fitzroy Street bridge.
The Tamworth Daily Observer of January 29, 1914, reported on the Anniversary Day swimming at Walcha saying: “H. Stephens of Sydney won the 50 yards and 75 yards races, the latter after a dead-heat with Russell Harrison. F. Roy won the high dive while J. Love won the long dive, neatest header and hoop dive.”
The Walcha Amateur Club was formed in October 1925 and was given council permission to conduct events in the river between the Fitzroy Street bridge and the mill hole. During 1926 the club asked council if a weir could be built across the river. Council declined the invitation. Council also reminded the club that neck to knee costumes must be worn by all bathers.
In 1927 a dressing shed was erected near the Mill Hole.