Parsons' Lake
The fore-runner to the Caveside Swimming Pool was Parsons’ Lake, built in the late 1920’s. It was a man-made lake situated in front of the home of Joseph & Lillian Parsons, now occupied by Jo and Winnie Parsons, and a stone’s throw from where the existing Caveside Swimming Pool was later built. A horse was used to pull a scoop and plough through the ground to create the initial depression for the lake while further digging to form the hole was finished off by a workforce of men with picks and shovels. The finished lake and grassy surrounds were fenced to create a delightful picnic area, complete with grazing kangaroos. It was a most picturesque setting and with the Great Western Tiers forming the backdrop, Parsons’ Lake became somewhat of a tourist attraction in those early years. Photographs of the Lake were featured in publications such as the Commercial Travellers Association.
The Lake was used by the local residents for swimming, boating and recreation. Bob Parsons built various activity equipment including a diving board and a swing into the lake, as well as a boat to take passengers across the water. It didn’t take long before Sports Days became an annual event and the whole community would turn up to take part in various sporting activities.
Along with the usual
water activities of swimming and diving, events such as bike-riding, chopping,
tennis and boxing
were also very popular. A dirt bike-track was fashioned near
the lake and riders would come from far and wide to contest the races. Stories
are told how so-called ‘celebrity’ riders would visit from away and, fancying
themselves to have the upper hand on the local riders, would reach high speeds
on their bikes, but, unfamiliar with such a small circuit they would inevitably
hurtle off the track and end up crashing into the chopping blocks! It was a
sure way to keep the crowd entertained! Of the home-grown talent, Cyril Linger,
was acknowledged as the local champion with friendly rivalry coming from his
brothers Lenny and Elvin and fellow cyclists, Jack Parsons, Charlie Haberle,
Jock Norris, Jim Lee, Jim Youd, Athol Norris, Loydon Burge and Bruce & Roy
Scott. A ladies bike race was always a drawcard and Gladys Linger is said to
have been a formidable opponent on her bike.
Running races were also popular at the Sports Days with Tom Haberle regarded as the fastest man in Caveside over 100 yds, while Ralph and Loftus Clark reigned supreme over the 440yds distance.
Osborne “Oz” Scott is remembered as the official starter for most of the sporting events.
The tennis court at Parsons’ Lake was a popular venue and as well as tennis games held each annual Sports Day, it was widely used by members of the community for regular Saturday get togethers – a practice which continued long after the Lake ceased to exist. In the early years, the court consisted of a clay/gravel surface and it was not until 1953 that a concrete playing surface was laid. Winnie Parsons clearly recalls that date because she remembers that on the day the working bee was in progress to pour the concrete, a news flash came over the radio that Queen Mary, wife of George V, had died. The date was 24th March 1953.
Husband and wife tennis teams were popular and amongst the many patrons at the tennis court were such local names as Norris, Flowers, Wagner, How, Scott, Robertson, Haberle, Parsons and Stephens, just to mention a few. Many a fun time was had by all at these Saturday games but Roy Scott’s tennis days came to an unfortunate end when he had the misfortune to break his leg during a weekend game.
A boxing ring was also set up in one of the sheds a short distance from the Lake. Boxing Competitions were held on the Annual Sports Days and Elvin Linger was highly regarded for his ability in the ring, as was Bob Parsons and Tom Haberle. In later years, the popularity of the Boxing shed continued long after the swimming hole had disappeared as the men of the district would rally on Saturday nights for friendly bouts against each other. Others who earned respect for their talent with boxing gloves were Lenny & Cyril Linger, Jock and Athol Norris, Jim & Jack Lee, Bill & Harry Evans, Keith & Glen How, and Vern Bailey.
Stories are told of near drownings and mishaps in the Lake such as the time it is alleged that someone dived too deeply into the water and became stuck fast in the mud on the bottom of the lake, requiring assistance to come to the surface. Or the time there was a swimmer in trouble and the cry for help rang out. Harry Lee had just left the water and was in the change-shed about to get dressed when he heard that help was needed. He raced out of the shed, so the story goes, stark naked and jumped into the lake and executed a most effective rescue!. Another time it was Glen How who prevented a possible drowning when he rescued his brother-in-law, Ken Eastley, who was in difficulty in the water when he found himself out of his depth. Roy Evans recalls that the dressing sheds had most unusual pegs provided on which bathers could hang their clothes. Nails had been driven part-way into the walls but had first been driven through the centre of a penny, and with the penny coin sitting at the head of each nail, they made an effective means for draping items of clothing etc.
The demise of Parsons’ swimming hole came about in 1943 when it became apparent that leakage and seepage was causing the water level of the lake to drop. At first it was suspected that the possible cause could have been platypus undermining the earth walls of the lake and in an attempt to rectify the problem, exploratory digging was commenced whereby it was hoped to plug any offending holes and to stabilize the foundations of the popular swimming hole. However, it was an ill fated dig and a permeable seam of earth was encountered where upon the entire lake was totally drained. The predicament of how to rectify the drainage problem could not be resolved and remains a dilemma to this day.
Parsons’ Lake had given the Caveside district it’s very first community swimming pool and provided many years of recreational facilities for both locals and visitors alike.
The Tennis Court and the Boxing Ring continued to entertain for many more years to come.