Raymond West Swimming Pool lifesaving tower, 1961.
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In the early 1930s, swimming facilities were built at the new Lake Reserve, including a diving tower and starting platforms.
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In 1933, a new swimming club formed and was called the Lake Swimming Club.
The new Raymond West Swimming Pool, recognised as the largest chlorinated pool in the Southern Hemisphere, was opened in 1955 and the official occasion was attended by 3500 people.
Due to its size and areas of deep water, there have been numerous drownings over the years, even though there was a Life Saving Club based at the pool.
Many drownings occurred after hours, as the facility was not fenced.
The Melbourne Argus January 17, 1956
Rescue bid fails… Two sisters drown in swimming pool
An 11-year-old girl and her younger sister were drowned yesterday in the “children barred” section of Raymond West swimming pool at Shepparton.
The elder girl lost her life in a vain fight to save her sister.
She dived in after finding her young sister struggling desperately in the 15ft deep pool.
The girls were Ruth Guy, 11, of Numurkah Rd, Shepparton, and her sister, Kathleen, 7.
Neither of the girls was a strong swimmer.
Police were told Kathleen had dived into the deep section of the crowded pool and Ruth, when she saw she was in difficulties, dived in to save her.
A playmate who saw both girls struggling in the water raised the alarm, and several men brought them ashore.
Mr Bert Leffen, of Wyndham St, Shepparton, a veteran swimmer and lifesaver, applied artificial respiration until an ambulance arrived, and the girls were given oxygen.
After about half an hour, Ruth temporarily responded.
The girls were then rushed by ambulance to Mooroopna Hospital, two miles away, and were given oxygen throughout the trip.
They were immediately placed in iron lungs and doctors worked for almost four hours in an attempt to revive them, but neither responded.
The girls were the daughters of Mr and Mrs Jack Guy, who have two other children.
The double drowning was the fourth swimming pool tragedy in Victoria in a month.
Geoff Allemand is an amateur photographer and Lost Shepparton Facebook page admin. Please share your Pics from the Past at pastpics@mmg.com.au
Raymond West Swimming Pool, 1968.
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