murky

Officially opened in 1916, Ithaca Pool clocks up 104 years in Brisbane’s swimming history on the 21st of October this year, 2020. Nestled in Neal Macrossan Park at 14 Caroline St., Ithaca Pool is a far cry from the days of old when it was an excavated hole in the ground. Improved over the years and undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2011, the locals are proud to have this inviting escape from Brisbane’s heat in their own backyard. In the early years of Brisbane, a dip in the river was primarily for hygiene purposes. Not without peril, the colonials faced the fear of drowning or shark attack. From 1857 shark-proofed floating baths were established by town councils along the river. The Paddington Cemetery Act was passed in 1911 by Queensland Parliament, which authorised the government to resume the burial grounds and relocate the remains to another site. Around this time the locals took advantage of a cleared space on the northern side of the cemetery and fashioned a pool of sorts. It was little more than a rudimentary pit filled with water pumped from the Brisbane River. It was a great boon for Paddington, although sometimes not the most desirable place to cool off. Behind the scenes, to keep the river water suitable for swimming, chlorine was poured into a holding tank and then pumped into the pool. Raising unpleasant memories for locals from the era, the water was often murky and odorous. In January 1928, a Letter to the Editor of the Brisbane Courier mentioned the pool was in such terrible condition that they suspected someone had thrown a dead cat or rat into the water. After recommendations in 1940 by a health committee, City Council installed a water filtration plant as an experiment at Ithaca Baths. The process removed the sediment and made the water fit for public bathing. Fresh town water soon replaced the suspect supply from the polluted Brisbane River. In 1942, the Chairman of the City Council Health Committee announced in the Courier-Mail Brisbane that…”Ithaca municipal swimming pool is to become the show baths of Brisbane.” (The Courier-Mail Brisbane Tue 27 October, 1942, page 2 ) Plans were approved to build new dressing rooms and toilets at an estimated cost of £1800. The article also stated that the galvanised iron fence surrounding the baths be replaced with a wire fence, so people passing could watch swimmers in the pool. Source: www.jonzunlee.com.au/2020/10/15/hidden-gem-in-paddington-...

This is one of some newer stories about the giant crocodile Howard, from the same area of Bamboo Creek. This time is not at all about killing a crocodile. Giant crocodile, Howard, has 10yo Elroy on his side — fighting for him to remain on creek bank ABC Far North / By Kristy Sexton-McGrath A 10-year-old boy has penned a letter pleading with authorities not to touch a giant crocodile that has been targeted for removal. The 4-metre crocodile, known as Howard, has long been part of the small community of Miallo, north of Cairns, in far north Queensland. But the State's Environment Department has now set a trap after a resident complained that Howard had been sunning himself on a creek bank that backs onto homes. Schoolboy Elroy Woods said he had written to the State's Environment Minister, Leeanne Enoch, asking for the trap to be removed. "I lived at Bamboo Creek Road for five years, right on Saltwater Creek," he wrote. "I loved watching Howard the crocodile sunbake and enjoyed seeing him from the bridge every afternoon." "I'm very saddened that Howard is being moved away from his home and I don't understand why a trap is there for Howard," he said in the letter. Not a problem croc Elroy is not the only resident to come to Howard's defence — resident and tourism operator David White said Howard had never been a problem. "I know sometimes crocodiles have to be removed because they stalk people and boats, but Howard's never done that," Mr White said. "This crocodile is in a saltwater creek where no one swims." He also said removing a big, dominant crocodile could see other, more aggressive crocodiles take over the area. Elroy's mother, Melissa Hills, said she hoped her son's letter would make it to Ms Enoch. "I was tidying up his room when I found it and we decided to post it," Ms Hills said. Elroy said he was "very careful" around crocodiles. "I always stand back at least 6 metres from the water's edge and don't go near the water at all when it is dark." Source: www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-03/boy-pleads-for-minister-to...