Dulcie Dal Molin has swum at Port Kembla Pool for more than 80 years – now she’s got a favour to ask you. Photo: Wendy Meyers.
If you think your Strava streak is impressive, meet Dulcie Dal Molin.
She’s been swimming at Port Kembla Pool for more than 80 years.
“I learnt to swim in the old pool,” she said.
“I can still remember swimming up the deep end with my parents with one of the tubes tied around me; I couldn’t have been very old.”
Dulcie’s dad, a champion swimmer, lost his sister to a drowning accident and was determined his children would have strong water skills.
Dulcie and her brother swam and competed at Port Kembla Pool regularly, and Dulcie has kept the swimming habit up her entire life.
Her children learnt to swim in the same pool she did, and she gets down to do her 10 laps of freestyle (plus some backstroke) as often as she can.
“It’s been a lifetime of using the saltwater pool and I absolutely love it,” she said.
“When we had a new pool built it added to the benefits for all of us, with the wading pool, sloped entry and rail to walk in.
“I think everyone is accommodated there.
“During the winter I go to Oak Flats or Dapto pool because they’re heated, but it’s never the same as a saltwater swim; once a saltwater swimmer, always a saltwater swimmer.”
Dulcie said it wasn’t just about fitness.
Because Port Kembla Pool is free, it provides a valuable opportunity for people of all backgrounds to socialise, cool off and learn an essential skill.
“You get to know everyone who comes at the same time as you, you have a coffee and a good yarn, it’s a wonderful social outlet,” she said.
“When we were kids Mum and Dad had to fork out the money for a season pass so we had a safe place to swim at any time.
“For families those fees can add up and it’s an absolute must that children learn to swim; it should be available for everyone.”
Dulcie is urging all users of Wollongong’s saltwater pools to take part in a survey that will determine their future over the next two decades.
Wollongong City Council currently manages nine ocean rock pools and eight supervised community pools.
“Managing these different locations and services requires a large commitment of funds and resources, particularly in relation to aging infrastructure and facilities,” a council spokesperson said.
“The steps we take, and what we prioritise, must be carefully considered and planned to ensure we continue to meet the current and future needs of our growing community across all our suburbs.
“It’s why we’ve provided a lengthy survey period for residents to tell us about their recent experiences, and what they’d like to see in the future to help make these places more enjoyable, accessible and inclusive.”
Dulcie wants to see her community continue to enjoy the benefits of pools like Port Kembla’s.
She said they had had success before working with the council to get the best outcome for everyone.
“We got the pool hours extended into May because we all felt it shut too early,” she said.
“If you want something, you’ve got to speak up.”
The survey is open for feedback until 16 February, and can be found at this link.
If you’d prefer to give your feedback in person, or you have some questions, you can attend a pop-up session on Saturday 14 February on the grassed section between Diggies and the Pavilion at North Wollongong Beach from 8 to 10:30 am.
