In November 1923 the Returned Soldiers’ Memorial Baths were opened on Quay Street in Bundaberg City. It was just the second war memorial for Bundaberg city at the time.
It was a full regulation size concrete pool, filled with ‘clear salt water’ that had been pumped in from the river, with substantial dressing rooms and two galleries for spectators, seating up to 800 people.
Early movement to establish memorial baths
George Lionel Stedman, a fruiterer who lived in Goodwin Street with his wife Annie Elizabeth and their four children, was one of the local veterans instrumental in agitating for the development of the original baths.
He enlisted in the First World War in 1916 at the age of 28. A wound received in action in France in June 1918 required the amputation of his left arm at the shoulder. He also suffered the debilitating effects of a mustard gas attack.
Rather than embitter him, George’s wartime experiences inspired him to seek a better future for fellow servicemen.
Secretary of the Bundaberg Patriotic Committee and Secretary of the Bundaberg Repatriation Committee, George was dedicated to assisting returned servicemen and promoting the sport of swimming and the use of pools for public leisure.
Angel of Durban lays foundation stone
The pool’s foundation stone, inscribed with the words ‘erected to the memory of those who fought in the Great War 1914 – 1918’, was laid by Angel of Durban Ethel Campbell on 25 August 1923.
Ethel was revered by Australian troops for her dedication to soldier welfare. From 1915 until the end of the war she welcomed and farewelled every Australian troopship arriving in Durban with her semaphore flags (source: State Library of Queensland).
With her parents, Ethel toured Australia in 1923 and, arriving in Bundaberg, was welcomed by residents in their hundreds. “The Caledonian Pipe Band played and there were speeches of welcome and thanks. The following day, amongst her official duties, Ethel laid the foundation stone of the … memorial baths,” the State Library of Queensland website says.
Swimming Pool on Quay Street, Bundaberg, ca. 1928. Image source: State Library of Queensland
In 1936 the Bundaberg City Council took over management of the memorial baths which were later found to be damaged beyond repair. A 1954 engineer’s report presented to a meeting of Council revealed “it is now found that the concrete was not reinforced”.
The Council of the day made the decision to construct the city’s first Olympic-sized pool in its place rather than reconstruct the original memorial baths.
Photo left: Bundaberg Regional Libraries, donor, Bundaberg, Qld. ca. 1923, Picture Bundaberg. Photo right: Former ANZAC pool ca. 2020.
An aerial view of the original memorial baths from the Bundaberg Sugar collection donated to Picture Bundaberg shows the orientation of the baths were perpendicular to its modern replacement.
The Olympic-sized pool on that site was officially opened by Mayor F.H. Buss on Saturday 31 March 1956 and renamed ANZAC Pool.
Photo: Bundaberg Regional Libraries, donor, Bundaberg, Qld. ca. 1995, Picture Bundaberg.
Situated between the original ANZAC Park and the Bundaberg RSL, the pool was demolished in 2023 as part of the ANZAC Park redevelopment project.
A family tribute to ANZAC Pool
Many locals have fond memories of time spent at ANZAC Pool, from swimming laps for health and competition to a refreshing splash with friends and family in the summer heat.
Two generations of one local family have shared their ANZAC Pool memories.
ANZAC Park