From 1929 to 1934
A sewer outfall at Merewether beach caused pollution problems at the beach and
the ocean baths used for weekly swimming competitions. It was rational to
contemplate building bigger and better ocean baths at Merewether following an
amplification scheme for Newcastle sewage intended to treat all sewage, screen
out solids and discharge only 'the liquefied portion' into the ocean and so
eliminate pollution at Merewether Beach.
1934
The NSW Department of Local Government agreed to advance a thousand pounds to
Merewether Council for tools/material required for the swimming baths proposed
to be constructed under the Emergency Relief Scheme. Construction of the baths
began with excavation of the Children's pool. Excavated stone was used on local
roads.
1935
At a cost of 2,600 pounds, the new Merewether Ocean Baths,, acclaimed as the 'largest of their kind in the State'
opened as part of the Merewether Golden Jubilee celebrations in November. There
was a procession in fancy dress from the Council chambers to the baths.
Considered 'the greatest advertisement for Merewether as a residential
suburb', the new baths had been built further
seaward and a little to the south of the older Merewether baths on the same rock
platform. At
110 yards by 90 yards, they were 'big enough to hold the larger swimming events'
and separated into a main pool and a children's pool by a wide promenade. The main pool nearest the sea
was 110 yards long and 55 yards wide, while the shore portion was
110
yards long and 35 yards wide. The 3,500 pounds for relief work on the
baths had been paid by the NSW government. Excavation of the baths
promised to yield 6,000 to 7,000 cubic yards of stone valued at 2,500 pounds.
Merewether Council was seeking a further government loan to cover the
construction of dressing-sheds at the baths.
The new baths became
central to the life of the community and prompted more people from the Lower Hunter
district to
visit Merewether.
1936
Stone from the baths was still being used for road construction and excavation
began for new dressing-sheds at the baths.
Novelties were placed in the baths for the swimming season.
With all age-groups recognising a need for pool toys, recreational equipment added to the baths included diving board, pontoons,
slippery dip, large wheel and horizontal cylinder. The size of the pool and its
range of equipment and the range of recreational equipment evoked comparisons
with the 'Wonder Pool' created on Manly's harbour beach. The more sheltered
environment of the Manly Pool meant its recreational equipment lasted longer
than their counterparts at Merewether, where the equipment was
progressively withdrawn due to storm damage.
1937
Parts of the floor of the Children's pool and the main pool were concreted and
the baths integrated into the beach promenade.
The Merewether Ocean Baths acquired a high diving tower and a pump. The pool was
deepened under the high diving tower.
By September, the baths site had ceased to be an economically viable source of
stone for road-building.
Novelties were again placed in the pool for the summer swimming season.
1938
The Merewether Ladies Swimming Club and the Merewether surf club held a combined
annual dance and presentation of trophies.
1939
Improvement to the Merewether Baths included deepening the pool below the springboards and amusement floats, improving the drainage and excavating a
new pumphouse with a pump that would allow the baths to be filled and emptied
daily 'to remove grounds for criticism'.
Closure of the
Baths created fears for the safety of children 'forced to use the surf
with its attendant dangers rather than swimming in the safety of the baths,' but
the Baths re-opened for Christmas holidays. After the outbreak of World War II, older surf club members joined the services.
1948
The Merewether surf club's Rescue and Resuscitation (R&R) team used to alternate training at the
Baths with shooting the
waves from 5.30am to 7am, then head home for breakfast and off to work.
1968
A squad from the Merewether surf club began swimming at the
Baths during winter.
1972
The Merewether Mackerels winter swimming club formed and initially swam at the
old Merewether Baths 'until such time as the use of the Merewether Ocean Baths could be
granted'. The club colours were blue and gold and the club motto was 'Fun and fitness'.
1974
On 25 May, a cyclone damaged the Merewether Ocean Baths.
1976
The Mackerels (assisted by the Newcastle Council, the Workers Club and the local Police)
conducted the first Australian Winter Swimming Championship held outside Sydney,
an event that attracted around 500 visitors from all over Australia to the
Merewether Ocean Baths.
1998
There was a near-drowning at Merewether baths during the few October weeks, when
there was no inspector on duty.
1999
There were requests for Council to provide a lifeguard all year round or at least
from September to April. Locals considered that the Merewether Ocean Baths were better
patronised than 'the ones in town' and used by a lot of school groups, children
and elderly people. On October 10, there were around 2,000 children and adults cooling
off at the Baths.
2001
Storm damage at the Baths included washing one of the diving blocks into the Baths.
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