Historical information

The Hepburn Pool was built in Spring Creek during the 1930s by the Zelmans of Bellinzona Guest House. Alberto Zelman paid for local workers to construct the pool to their specifications so the visitors to local guest houses could swim on hot days.

The Hepburn Pool was used for the Victorian Swimming Championships, with 6 stones marked at one end for each lane. It is 50 yards long, the length required for competitions. In 1935 the Hepburn Amateur Swimming Club organised their first swimming carnival, the meeting conducted by the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association,

In 1969 the Daylesford Olympic Swimming Pool was constructed so this 'old swimming pool' was neglected. Fortunately in 1993 local volunteers associated with the Savoia Hotel returned the pool to its former glory with the help of old photos and a lot of hard work.

Two well known swimmers swam at the pool in the Victorian swimming Championships, they were Annette Kellerman and Frank Beaurepaire.

The Pool was named Victoria's Favourite Built Place in 2004 as part of the Victorian Government's involvement in the International Year of the Built Environment. It was included on the Victorian Heritage Register following a nomination and comparative analysis of pre Olympic Swimming Pools in Victoria by Lisa Gervasoni.

Physical description

Black and white photograph of the Hepburn Pool in Spring Creek, including the diving board.