A future for the past: protection

Showing posts with label protection. Show all posts

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Indigenous midden - between about Pambula River / Severs' Beach to beyond Haycock, Ben Boyd National Park.

The Pambula River and Lake were a focus of activity by the local Aboriginal peoples. M. E. Sullivan's test excavations on shell mounds on the shores of Pambula Lake generated radio carbon dates indicating that the site had been in use for more than 3,000 years. The midden deposits contained shell (mainly mud oyster and mussel); fish bones; and the bones of kangaroos, wallabies, potoroos and tree-dwelling marsupials; as well as flaked stone artefacts. Further information will be posted here as it is researched.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Aslings Beach Rock Pool, Aslings Beach, Eden:

Item details:

*Current status:**	Nominated, but not listed.
Name of item:	Aslings Beach Rock Pool
Former name/s:	Eden Memorial Swimming Pool
Item type:	Built
Item group/collection:	Recreation and Entertainment
Item category:	Swimming pool - tidal
Street number:	[South-western end of Aslings Beach]
Street name:	Aslings Beach Road
Suburb/town:	Eden
Local Government Area:	Bega Valley Shire.
Property description:
Owner category:
Current use:	Public baths
Former use/s:	Public baths

* Refers to the site's inclusion in Schedule 5 of the Local Environment Plan.

Significance:

Statement of significance:
Level of significance:	Local

Description:

Designer:	Imlay Shire Council engineer?
Builder:	Mr. V. J. Jones
Physical description:	A rectangular shaped rock and concrete ocean pool set into and on a naturally occurring rock platform that was deepened and formalised in 1961 to create a safe swimming facility within the marine environment. Twenty-five by twenty metres in size, the pool was originally around 1.3 metres deep when constructed, although sand build-up has impacted on this. It follows and is bounded by the natural rock formation on two sides, with low concrete walls on two side allowing flushing and refilling by natural tidal and wave movements. Located at the south-western corner of Aslings Beach, the pool is aesthetically positioned on the ocean's edge with panoramic views of the surrounding beach, cliffs and outer north bay. Fencing once provided a physical barrier between the pool and ocean, some of the bollards remaining in situ as late as 2009. Evidence of these can still be noted today. Toilets and change rooms reportedly completed the complex as it originally appeared and a plaque dedicating the facility to local servicemen and women was fixed into the rocks. These are no longer in situ.
Physical condition:	Appears very good, although dredging is necessary to remove sand build-up.
Construction date/s:	January 1961 - October 1961
Modifications and dates:
Further comments:

History:

Historical notes:

Originally known as the Eden Memorial Swimming Pool, the ocean baths at the southern end of Aslings Beach were constructed between January and October 1961 as a replacement for the town's original 1904-built Thompson's Point facility.

After more than thirty years of use, extensions to those earlier baths were being investigated by the mid-1930s and with a shark proof swimming area considered an "...absolute necessity...", Imlay Shire Council was approached for assistance. However, although they agreed to submit an application for funding to the Minister for Works and Local Government Mr. Spooner, the Burragate Bridge was considered a more important facility.

Soon afterwards, the Eden Advancement Association began looking at alternatives to extending the Thompson's Point baths and so began a lengthy twenty-five year process. Between the mid-1930s and 1960, numerous alternative sites were considered, including Snug Cove, Cattle Bay, the wharf area at the end of Weecoon Street, Yallumgo Cove (Ross' Bay), Shelly Beach, Imlay Park and the northern and southern ends of Aslings Beach. A range of different enclosure formats were also investigated, including wire netting, heavy rope shark proof nets, stone sea walls, and rock pools, with other local governments such as Manly, Sutherland, Kiama, Kogarah, Bulli, Ramsgate, Cronulla and Rockdale all being consulted regarding cost, life span and suitability. Imlay Shire Council would ultimately prepare plans, specifications and cost estimated for a number of alternative proposals before the Aslings Beach site was decided upon.

A shark proof net swimming enclosure at Cattle Bay was the most popular option for about a decade, and in 1937 £1,000 of a £10,000 state government shire-wide town improvement fund was earmarked for baths at that spot, conditional on Imlay Shire purchasing the frontage lot and additional land to enable revenue generation from camping facilities. The local community commenced fundraising but when the Summer of 1939 rolled around, little progress had been made and local media were lamenting the "...need for adequate and safe bathing facilities..."

Despite the apparent lack of local government action, Eden Advancement Association was not willing to allow the Cattle Bay site to fall from favour and in November 1939 they took up an option to purchase land from Mrs. A. C. Weatherhead's estate. The Eden Magnet optimistically noted that "Next Summer will, we hope, see hundreds of bathers taking advantage of safe bathing at this, one of Eden's loveliest beaches..."

However, just as some headway was being made towards Eden's second ocean baths, the heartbreak that would become WWII commenced and infrastructure projects were forced to take a back seat as local fundraising focussed on patriotic appeals. Not surprisingly, the Thompson's Point facility enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, so much so that the Eden Advancement Association took up a peppercorn rent option after the Permissive Occupancy was terminated in April 1946. In 1949, the facility was described as "...the present rock pool..." and by 1953 council was trying to determine ownership in response to requests for repair to the access footbridge. In November 1962, Mrs. F. M. Smith wrote to express her concern about the safety of the footbridge.

By 1943, Eden Advancement Association's purchase of the Cattle Bay site had been completed, but by that time, the issue of potential sites was revisited, Yallumgo Cove (Ross' Bay) gaining support. Three years later, Aslings Beach was added into the mix - and as it was already a public reserve, application to the then Lands Department was unnecessary. By 1947, with Cattle Bay having fallen out of favour and the Eden Advancement Association struggling with membership, the site was sold to Australian Fishing Industries (AFI) for their fish canning operations.

August 1948 saw the question of new town baths again raised and with public school headmaster Mr. J. Tierney pointing out that it was "...almost impossible to teach the children to swim with the present facilities..." a sub-committee was formed to try to settle the question, with the Eden Surf Club advising as to the best site. After twelve months, local media were commenting on the "...urgent need for [a] shark-proof swimming pool...", stating that bathers near the wharf were at risk of attack, several sharks having been seen quite close to the beach there. Yet another sub-committee was appointed in 1950, but by July 1952, with falling attendance rates, the Eden Advancement Association went into recess.

During 1953 there were reports of a three foot six inch Blue Pointer shark swimming under the Eden Wharf where local children were bathing, while a "Large school of sharks...[were] cruising just beyond the breakers at Aslings Beach...", the Magnet and Voice imploring the community to act "...before a tragedy forces our hand..." By July 1953 the Eden Advancement Association had been revived and in October Imlay Shire Councillor Clare suggested that the introduction of the government's compulsory swimming lessons would be an opportune time to apply for a grant towards the cost of a new swimming pool. However, by the time Eden's Learn to Swim campaign commenced in January 1955, the 48 participants attended the free lessons alongside the main wharf. The same year, the town's teenagers began lobbying for a safe swimming enclosure and after a letter to the Magnet and Voice noted that local fishermen maintained "...sharks are more numerous and, because of hunger, more ferocious than they have been for years..." they appealed for the establishment of yet another committee to raise the necessary funds for construction of shark-proof baths, pleading "Please don't wait until one of us is taken by a shark..."

Early in 1956 the CWA Younger Set joined the call but although Imlay Shire Council undertook to "...give the utmost support to any move to have a pool built...", they declined to take any action themselves, maintaining that "...any such move would have to come from the residents of Eden..." who "...should themselves make some concrete effort to raise money to construct the pool..."

It was around this time that the Eden RSL sub-branch became involved in the project. Described as one of the driving forces behind that latest and most successful push, an enthusiastic band of sub-branch members combined with other local residents to organise fundraisers such as the successful aquatic carnivals when "Local fishermen rendered great assistance...by making their trawlers available..." for the events that included the distinctly local trawler races across Twofold Bay. After a number of successful carnivals, a public meeting was called in 1958 to discuss progress, and the RSL sub-branch sponsored the formation of the Eden Memorial Swimming Pool Association.

Debate continued throughout the late 1950s as to the preferred site, with Imlay Shire Council rejecting a number of proposals until in 1959 five locations were put forward. By July 1960 the site at the southern end of Aslings Beach was finally agreed upon.

Local businessman Kenneth Bruce Timms was appointed to act as the Association's liaison officer with Imlay Shire and that month he attended a council meeting to outline the site choice and table cost estimates. Approving the site, councillors resolved to have the Shire Engineer prepare plans, specifications and estimates for the pool, along with dressing sheds and toilet facilities, also undertaking to supervise all construction work. They granted Eden Advancement Association a £5,500 overdraft for the project.

After council staff completed the pool's design, the contract was awarded to Mr. V. J. Jones of Bermagui South and work commenced in January 1961, with local names such as Fonga Nammensma and Neil Snowden also being involved in the works. By April, an estimated ninety-five percent of the rock wall excavation had been completed and by August, all concreting except the valves was finished. Bega's Mr. Ziegler produced and set in place a memorial plaque in October dedicating the pool to the "...gallant men and women..." who gave their lives in service during WWII.

Upon completion, a luncheon was held at the Sapphire Coast Motel in November 1961, after which local residents and guests adjourned to Aslings Beach for the official ceremony to mark the opening and dedication of the Eden Memorial Swimming Pool. In his speech, local member Mr. J. W. Seiffert MLA commended the committee and local residents on their decision to make the new pool a "...living memorial...", commenting "What better commemoration to those who lost their lives and those wounded in the War than to see all these wonderful healthy children just bursting to jump in for a swim." Highlighting the choice of site, he noted that it was "...an ideal one as it faces the rising sun. We all know that the rising sun is the emblem of all War Memorials..." Seiffert also drew attention to the example of self help and good citizenship demonstrated by the hours of unpaid time and labour given to the project, not to mention the £5,300 that the local community had contributed up to that time.

Measuring 25 metres by 20 metres and four foot six inches deep with water refreshed by tidal action every six hours, the Eden Memorial Swimming Pool, which included toilet facilities near the bottom of the steps, was originally estimated at £7,000, but eventually cost in excess of £7,200. The Imlay Shire and the Minister for Local Government both announced an additional contribution of £500 each during the official opening ceremony, while an appeal at the same time brought forth further funds from local citizens including W. Gandon, Mrs. H. Gacquerelle, Mr. L. Ramsey, Mr. A. Armstrong and Mr. A. Edwards. The local Ireland-Timms Forest Products business added another £100 to the coffers.

The facility quickly became popular with the public and in the seven years between 1962 and 1969 an estimated 525 local children were taught to swim there - lessons that took place in rain, hail or shine. Nuns from the local St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School also taught their students to swim at the pool while former local resident and 1974 Australian Commonwealth Games competitor Michael Creswick reputedly started his swimming career in the waters of the Eden Memorial Swimming Pool.

Outside formal swimming lessons, the baths were a popular haunt for local children, particularly during the Summer months or when the surf proved too rough and even after the opening of Eden's Olympic Swimming Pool in February 1980, it remained a popular venue with locals and visitors alike, not the least because it was free and always open.

Unfortunately, in more recent years the Eden Memorial Swimming Pool has fallen victim to a serious lack of maintenance which has also hindered its appeal. Sand has proven a major obstacle and despite the occasional demands from the local community, little has been done to improve its usability, although Bega Valley Shire Council has very infrequently dredged the facility. As recently as 1997, a group of local residents banded together to make the facility more usable. In March that year then Bega Valley Shire Councillor Stan Knight, Daryl Sherlock, Dick Jolly, Keith Cross and others cleared sand build up and cleaned growth from around the release valve using a suction pump provided by K Salvage and fuel donated by Eden's Ampol Service Station. Councillor Knight said that "If we want to promote Eden to tourists we need to have a full range of amenities and facilities available. At many times the local pool is closed and people want somewhere to swim. This pool is an outstanding asset to the town and we need to have it available for use." The volunteers also undertook to scrape off dead oyster shells and remove rock build up.

The following month, Eden Regional Development Group's youth and social services sub-committee hosted the "Aslings Beach Rock Pool Dig Out and Fun Day" to mark Youth Week. Along with other events, a Great Sand Dig with teams of eight was staged to help assist with clearing sand build up. By July 1997, the Aslings Beach Pool Committee had been formed to co-ordinate re-establishment of the facility and its subsequent management. Unfortunately, though the body seems to have lapsed around a year later and little appears to have been done to promote the potential of what is now more commonly referred to as the Aslings Beach Rock Pool.

C. 1970s.

Courtesy of the Eden Killer Whale Museum.

Themes:

Australian theme:	New South Wales theme:	Local theme:
1. Environment - Tracing the evolution of Australia	Environment - naturally evolved: features occurring naturally in the physical environment which have shaped or influenced human life and cultures
3. Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscapes: activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings
3. Developing local, regional and national economies	Health: Activities associated with preparing and providing medical assistance and / or maintaining the well being of humans
3. Developing local, regional and national economies	Technology: activities and processes associated with the knowledge or use of mechanical arts and applied sciences
4. Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages: activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns suburbs and villages
8. Developing Australia's cultural life	Leisure: activities associated with recreation and relaxation
8. Developing Australia's cultural life	Social institutions: activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities
8. Developing Australia's cultural life	Sport: Activities associated with organised recreational and health promotional activities
9. Marking the phases of life	Persons: Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups

Application criteria:

Historical significance SHR criteria (a)
Historical association significance SHR criteria (b)
Aesthetic significance SHR criteria (c)
Technical / Research significance SHR criteria (e)
Rarity SHR criteria (f)
Representativeness SHR criteria (g)
Integrity:

Heritage Listings:

Information sources / bibliography :

http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/australias-modern-swimmers

Bega Budget

Bell, Wendy, pers. comm.

Blazely, Coral, pers. comm.

Brennan, Kim, pers. comm.

Canberra Times

Capararo, Christine, pers. comm.

Chisolm, Debbie, pers. comm.

Clark, Rusty, pers. comm.

Cocks, Kay, pers. comm.

Cross, Erica, pers. comm.

Devlin, Dennise, pers. comm.

Drenkhahn, Jenny, pers. comm.

Eden Advancement Association records, Eden Killer Whale Museum collection

Eden Baths committee minute book, Eden Killer Whale Museum collection

Eden Magnet

Eden Magnet and Pambula Voice

Fox, Leonie, pers. comm.

Gibson, Gail, pers. comm.

Hammond, Kim, pers. comm.

Hansen, Ann B., pers. comm.

Henry, Geoff, pers. comm.

Henson, Michael, pers. comm.

Holmes, Steven, pers. comm.

Honeyman, Lyn, pers. comm.

Korner, Joanne, pers. comm.

Korner, Judy, pers. comm.

Korner, Marc, pers. comm.

Longstaff, Katie, pers. comm.

Magnet and Voice

Marks, Clive, pers. comm.

Mathieson, Kellie, pers. comm.

McGinley, Denelle, pers. comm.

McKenna, Jennifer, pers. comm.

McKenzie, Shirleen, pers. comm.

Moore, Cheryl, pers. comm.

O'Brien, Traci, pers. comm.

http://nswoceanbaths.com/NSW_Ocean_Baths.html

Owen, Tricia, pers. comm.

Pambula Voice

Rama, Mara, pers. comm.

Raymond, Pat, pers. comm.

Robert, Karen, pers. comm.

Saleta, Karen Bobbin, pers. comm.

Stare, Marjorie, pers. comm.

Squires, Robert, pers. comm.

Taylor, Robert, pers. comm.

Tunnock, Kat, pers. comm.

White, Jody, pers. comm.

Whiter, Robert, pers. comm.

Williams, Raymond, pers. comm.

Winnel, Norelle, pers. comm.

Author and date:

February 2015.

Thompson's Point Baths, Snug Cove, Eden:

Item details:

*Current status:**	Nominated but unlisted.
Name of item:	Thompson's Point Baths
Former name/s:
Item type:	Built
Item group/collection:	Recreation and Entertainment
Item category:	Swimming pool - tidal
Street number:
Street name:
Suburb/town:	Eden
Local Government Area:	Bega Valley Shire.
Property description:	Thompson's Point, Snug Cove, Eden
Owner category:
Current use:	N/A
Former use/s:	Public baths

* Refers to the site's inclusion in Schedule 5 of a Local Environment Plan.

Significance:

Statement of significance:

Dating back to just after the beginning of the 20th century, the Thompson's Point Baths are today the oldest and one of only three remaining examples of ocean pools within the Bega Valley Shire Council local government area and one of the oldest extant non-metropolitan examples across the State.

The Thompson's Point Baths are indicative of the birth and growth of the Australian beach and later surf culture that figure so prominently in the local and national Australian way of life today. A popular communal gathering place, the Thompson's Point Baths reflect an era in which broader social and cultural attitudes towards sea bathing shifted from secluded bathing primarily for therapeutic and hygiene reasons towards public sea bathing pursued as a legitimate healthy leisure time activity.

The baths have a strong social significance for the local population. As the focal point of recreational and education activities from its initial completion until beyond the 1960s, the baths are held in high esteem by many generations of the local community who played, relaxed, sunbathed and learned to swim there. They provide significant evidence of the value placed on recreational bathing by residents over a period of more than half a century.

Considered in conjunction with the Aslings Beach Rock Pool (originally known as Eden Memorial Swimming Pool) and the Eden Olympic Swimming Pool, the Thompson's Point Baths provide important evidence of the growth and development of bathing and swimming facilities within the township from around the turn-of-the-century right through to the present day. They also provide a link with and illustration of the impact that the growth of the amateur swimming movement had on community expectation, demand and provision of increasingly improved public facilities.

Eden's Thompson's Point Baths is a representative example of community recreational tidal pools that were once popular along the NSW coastline. However, as a result of changing community swimming habits and the fact that construction and maintenance of many similar facilities were largely a public / community responsibility, it is an increasingly rare example of its type.

Retaining its traditional irregularly shaped layout and appearance, the baths are set in an aesthetically spectacular harbour location, providing an important physical link with, and documenting the development and use of the foreshore for local social and public recreational facilities. The baths are also an important illustration of an ingenious early design solution to exploit and alter the natural environment for the provision of amenities for human use and enjoyment.

The Thompson's Point Baths also provides an important physical link with important local builder and contractor John Hines and are an unusual extant example of his work.

Level of significance:

Local

Description:

Designer:
Builder:	John Hines (cementing); J. A. Spurling (rock excavation);
Physical description:	An irregularly shaped concrete and rock ocean pool set into and on a naturally occurring rock platform that was deepened and formalised in 1904 to create a safe and usable swimming facility within the marine environment. The pool follows and is bounded by the natural rock formation on two sides, with low concrete walls facing the bay to allow flushing and refilling by natural tidal and wave movements. Located on rocks on the north-western shore of Snug Cove opposite the main wharf area and below Thompson's Point, the pool is positioned on the bay's edge with panoramic views of the wharf area, harbour, inner bay and surrounding cliffs. Access to the pool was originally gained via a timber foot bridge and walkway, neither of which now exist. It can presently only be gained around the rocks at low tide. Change rooms once stood at the top of the point, but have also been lost, probably as a result of the 1952 bushfires.
Physical condition:
Construction date/s:	1904/05
Modifications and dates:	C. 1907;
Further comments:

Historical notes:

For generations of Australians, the beach and ocean has played a significant role in our culture and lifestyle - coastal indigenous peoples were utilising the shoreline and neighbouring waterways for centuries, and unsurprisingly, it took little time before the early European settlers also began making use of the resource.

With the British medical profession highlighting the hygienic and therapeutic benefits of open-air bathing in cold saltwater, ocean swimming began to gain popularity by the late 18th century. Australian coastal waters, however, also represented unfamiliar and often intimidating prospects - pounding waves, strong currents and threat of shark attacks all served to unnerve those who braved the ocean, particularly in an era when few could swim properly, let alone strongly.

Metropolitan areas began to construct purpose-built baths in an attempt to protect swimmers from these physical dangers, providing participants with a safe environment in which to utilise the health benefits of the ocean. The development of these facilities also addressed the 19th century Victorian social standards of decency and morality by enabling restriction of widespread public display of the human form. Since 1833, a daylight hours ban on bathing had been in place, restricting opportunities for swimming, but as the 1890s turned over into the 20th century, a shift in social attitudes saw the activity regarded more as a healthy activity and cost-effective competitive sport as opposed to those earlier therapeutic and hygienic values.

Finally, in 1902, the issue came to a head when Manly newspaper editor William Gocher took a personal stand, entering the ocean at noon on three successive Sundays before being finally arrested on the third occasion in front of some 1,000 onlookers. His efforts had the desired affect, with the liberalisation of the law the following year, although all swimmers over eight years of age were still required to wear neck to knee bathing costumes.

Australia's early beach culture had begun, and combined with the increasing affluence of an expanding middle class, greater disposable income, more leisure time and a developing sea side tourism industry, a shift in attitudes and values saw escalating public demand for improved beach access and safer swimming facilities. Just one result was a rising number of ocean baths constructed up and down the coastline to provide smooth, calm swimming environments with greater protection from drowning and shark attacks.

By this time, Eden was already becoming a popular far south coast holiday destination, with its sandy beaches and convenient ocean access being highlighted to promote the benefits of the town.

It was in December 1899 that moves were first made to secure a public bathing facility for Eden - that month a public meeting was held to nominate individuals to take charge of a site recently granted for such a facility. With a committee consisting on J. A. Boyd, C. Downton, F. H. Phillipps, T. H. Wellings and C. J. Williams, September the following year saw the inaugural meeting of the Trustees, with F. H. Phillipps being appointed Chairman; T. H. Wellings Secretary; and J. C. Williams Treasurer.

The following month, a letter was forwarded to the Minister for Lands requesting a special grant of £300 for construction of a "suitable bathing area" at Thompson Point, along with additional correspondence to local member, the Honourable W. H. Wood, asking for his support for the special grant.

November 1900 saw a request to the Lands Department for an officer to inspect the site and assist with construction cost estimates, while in February the following year, the Minister for Public Works advised that Mr. Bossier, Clerk of Works, had been requested to inspect the site and estimate baths costs while in the area.

By March 1901, Mr. Bossier had undertaken the site inspection, but as he was not qualified to give estimates, the Minister for Public Works requested the Merimbula Wharf construction Superintendent to inspect the site. The Trustees received a £75 grant from the Lands Department the same month but although Mr. Bloomfield, Engineer of Harbours and Rivers Department, suggested Shelly Beach as a more suitable site during his July inspection, the committee decided to stick with their original site at Thompson's Point.

By 1904 public donations had reached £10/18/- and the following year after £25 was paid to the Trustees by the Lands Department for construction of the Public Bath "...at the foot of Flinders Street..." contracts were awarded - J. A. Spurling was paid £15 for the excavation of the rock, while John Hines was paid £11/18/- for cementing the baths and erecting a room.

After only three years, the Trustees were looking to enlarge the facility, and with a £2 donation from a Mr. Whitney and £25 from the Lands Department, the contract was awarded to J. A. Spurling at a cost of £45. During October 1907, C. E. Walcott provided a loan of £8 and by the end of the year, expenditure on the Thompson's Point Baths stood at £70/18/-. However, despite use of the site for around a decade, it wasn't until 1913 that the Land Board issued the trustees with a Permissive Occupancy.

By 1936, consideration was being given to again extending the baths and to that end, the Eden Advancement Association secretary, the Harbourmaster and Mr. Denholm inspected the site and took soundings. With estimates not considered to be "...excessive...", the advancement association members agreed that a shark proof swimming area was an "...absolute necessity...", and decided to apply to the then Imlay Shire Council for a £1,200 grant to undertake the work. Although the shire supported the move and agreed to submit a grant application, the President said that he would let Minister for Works and Local Government Mr. Spooner "...toss for it - the baths or the Burragate Bridge..."

By mid-1936, the association had begun considering alternatives to the Thompson's Point Baths site, calling a public meeting in July to "...devise ways and means of bringing about the construction of the proposed baths..." The Eden Town Baths Committee, consisting of local residents such as G. D. Impey, V. T. Welsh, H. P. Wellings, J. B. Eurell, H. Denholm, H. C. Hartup, P. T. Brown, J. Turnbull, W. Blaxter, T. Tracey, T. L. Ramsey, S. G. Earngey, W. H. Quin and W. J. Duffy with J. A. Ireland as secretary, were appointed to take over the project from the Eden Advancement Association, with the objective being the "...establishment of safe swimming baths at Eden..." However, when they met the following month, only six of the fifteen members showed up, and after the group faltered, Eden Advancement Association again stepped back in to the fold to continue what was to be a lengthy and drawn out process.

Between the mid-1930s and 1960, a number of alternative sites were raised, including Snug Cove, Cattle Bay, the wharf area at the end of Weecoon Street, Yallumgo Cove (Ross' Bay), Shelly Beach, both the northern and southern ends of the cemetery, Imlay Park, and, finally, Aslings Beach. Options explored included wire netted bathing areas, heavy rope shark-proof nets and stone sea walls, while other local governments, including Manly, Sutherland, Kiama, Kogorah, Bulli, Ramsgate, Cronulla and Rockdale were all contacted to secure information regarding construction and maintenance costs. Eden Advancement Association also approached the Imlay Shire Council for preparation of plans, specifications and costing estimates for the various options.

Public fundraising for a new facility commenced in early 1937 and over the years a plethora of events including street stalls, sports days and balls were held. By May 1937, the trust account for the project stood at £150 and the same month £1,000 from a £10,000 shire-wide town improvement scheme grant was earmarked for a bath at Cattle Bay, land which the Eden Advancement Association purchased around 1939. However, by this time World War II had broken out and local fundraising quickly focused upon patriotic rather than infrasructure work.

Not surprisingly, with so many other competing demands and no facilities to dispute its place, the Thomson's Point Baths continued to play an important recreational role for the community. After the Permissive Occupancy was terminated by the Lands Board in April 1946, a peppercorn rent option was offered to the Eden Advancement Association. 1947 saw a £1 payment by the Eden Advancement Association to the Lands Department for permissive occupancy of the area, although this was refunded early the following year, when it was noted that payment was not usual.

By 1949, the facility was still being described as "...the present rock pool..." and by March 1953 council was trying to determine ownership and construction dates of the facility in order to respond to public requests for repair of the footbridge that provided access around the rocks. The permissive occupancy was apparently still active by 1962 and in November that year Mrs. F. M. Smith wrote expressing concern as to the safety of the footbridge.

It was in 1946 that the the option of Aslings Beach was first raised as a potential alternative site for a new ocean pool, but despite local media frequently raising the "...urgent need for [a] shark proof swimming pool...", it wasn't until 1960 that the site at the southern end of the beach was finally agreed upon. Construction of the Eden Memorial Swimming Pool (now referred to as the Aslings Beach Rock Pool) commenced in January 1961 with the official opening taking place in November 1961.

Nonetheless, the Thompson Point Baths were to remain a popular and important recreation and educational facility for the local community for many generations. Even after construction of the Aslings Beach facility, it continued to provide a sheltered, calm and safe swimming area, free from sharks and other ocean predators for many of the district's youth right through and in to the 1960s.

Thompson's Point Bath, C. 1907.

Courtesy of the Eden Killer Whale Museum [EM3869].

Thompson's Point Baths and wharf.

Courtesy of Eden Killer Whale Museum.

Jean Helmore & friends at the Thompson's Point Baths, 1931.
Courtesy of Jenny Drenkhahn.

The two dressing sheds on the reserve above the baths can be seen
in the foreground. These were destroyed during the disastrous 1952
bush fires.
Courtesy of Jenny Drenkhahn.

View of the Thompson's Point Baths and the footbridge that provided
access from the cliff top, C. 1930s.
Courtesy of Jenny Drenkhahn.