(Image taken in December 2001. Author’s own collection.)
Beautifully sited on the south side of the Bonville Headland, this pool offers Sawtell’s residents and visitors. protection from the strong permanent rip that runs out past the pool and a safer swimming environment than the deep channels and strong tidal flows that move through the mouth of Bonville Creek. While Australia has many war memorial public pools, it is rare to find an ocean pool dedicated as a war memorial.
Location
Bonville Headland, Sawtell, NSW, 2452, Australia
(Latitude South 30 degrees 22 minutes 36 seconds, Longitude East 153 degrees 6 minutes 5 seconds)
Historical notes
1904
The 102-acre Bonville reserve gazetted for recreational purposes became popular with the people from Dorrigo and the Bellinger areas.
1927
The developing village near the reserve was gazetted as Sawtell. Trustees were appointed to the Sawtell reserve.
1962
Sawtell’s ocean pool on the Bonville Headland was unofficially used for the first time in December by ‘streams of children’.
1963
Sawtell’s ocean pool was dedicated as a war memorial pool.
2000
The Coffs Harbour Local Environmental Plan (LEP) listed the pool as a heritage item.
2000 to present
Sawtell’s wonderfully practical war memorial is still a popular pool.