Hepburn Pool facts for kids
Hepburn Pool is a special historic swimming pool built right into Spring Creek. You can find it in the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve in Hepburn Springs. This amazing pool was added to the Victorian Heritage Register because it's a very important part of history.
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Hepburn Pool's Story
The Hepburn Pool was built in the early 1930s. It was made for the Bellinzona Guest House, which was run by the Zelman family. They were famous Swiss Italian settlers in the area.
How the Pool Was Built
The pool was created using a concrete wall, called a weir, and drystone walls. These walls shaped a natural dip in Spring Creek into a pool. Around the pool, there were terraced seats also made of drystone. The weir has a special valve that lets water flow into Spring Creek. This helps keep the environment healthy.
A Place for Champions
This pool was big enough to be considered "Olympic size" back then. It was one of the first competition pools in the area. In the 1930s, it even hosted Victorian swimming championships! Imagine swimmers competing here many years ago.
When the Pool Closed
The Hepburn Pool stopped being used in 1969. This was because a new Olympic pool was built in Daylesford. Over time, the old pool filled up with mud and dirt.
Saving the Pool
From 1993 to 1995, volunteers worked hard to save the pool. A person named Merv Keating, from the Savoia Hotel, led the effort. They used old photos to rebuild parts that were missing, like the seating.
In 2004, the Hepburn Pool was named "Victoria's Favourite Built Place." This was part of a special event called the International Year of the Built Environment.
Looking After the Pool Today
In 2006, the Victorian Minister for Planning talked with the community. They wanted to make sure the pool's history was protected. They also wanted to solve any worries about safety. In 2007, work began to manage risks at the site. This work was paid for by the Department of Sustainability and the Environment.
Images for kids
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Hepburn Pool
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Hepburn Pool
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Hepburn Pool
