Zeke Neumann and Dylan Scoble patrol the Tongala pool on their first day lifeguarding for the 2024/25 season. Photo: Campaspe Shire Council
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Here comes the sun, and here comes another year of summer by the pool for Campaspe residents flocking to swimming reserves across the region.
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Once again, council is providing free entry to all shire outdoor pools this season, with easy-to-obtain passes now available on its website.
Now, imagine being poolside for the whole summer.
Well, three Campaspe Shire lifeguards don’t have to imagine.
Nic Jephson, Zeke Neumann and Dylan Scoble are the friendly faces ready to welcome you back to the six outdoor pools that opened on November 23, kicking off another scorching Aussie summer.
They will shift between the six outdoor pools, in Colbinabbin, Kyabram, Lockington, Rushworth, Stanhope and Tongala, governing the waters and making sure everyone is slipped, slopped and slapped.
It won’t be the first lap around the pool for university student Dylan Scoble, who has been lifesaving every summer since he was in high school.
He said he took up the position after a family friend who was lifeguarding at the time encouraged him to do it.
“It’s a really good job to have when you’re at high school or uni as the hours are flexible and it’s mainly afternoon and weekend work so there is still plenty of time for study,” Dylan said.
Dylan Scoble mans the kiosk, greeting swimmers eager to cool down during the hot summer. Photo: Campaspe Shire Council.
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For Tongala boy Zeke, Thursday, December 5 was his first day of training at the pool, and fresh from taking off his graduation cap after finishing Year 12, he was excited to see what the job had in store.
“I live locally in Tonny and also had a family member who told me about the job, and I saw it online, so I applied and today is my first day on the job training,” Zeke said.
“It’s my first day so it’s hard to say what my favourite part is yet, but I’m looking forward to earning money and having a summer job where I’m working outside and being around people.”
Each lifeguard goes through extensive training with Life Saving Australia before they take to the poolside.
Nic completed his training in person in Benalla while taking online module training, and said he was looking forward to putting his training to good use.
“My favourite part is being part of a great team and getting to know people,” he said.
A day for a lifeguard usually consists of showing up 15 minutes before any swimmer arrives and testing the pool, before letting in the swarms of patrons looking to cool off.
“It’s great to get to know people in the community, especially regulars at the pool,” Dylan said.
“It’s also a great way to meet new friends from around the shire, as we often work in different locations.”
Director of communities Jo Bradshaw said council staff couldn’t wait to see people making use of the free entry once again.
“The outdoor pools offer the chance for residents and visitors to enjoy the beautiful weather in our region,” she said.
The pools will be open until Monday, March 10 when the season closes.
The outdoor pools will be open from 4pm to 8pm on weekdays during school terms, and open 1pm to 8pm during school holidays, except December 25.
Council is also running its annual Bush Nippers river safety program for children aged five to 14 years, designed to educate young swimmers about river safety and offer lifelong lifesaving skills.
As for Dylan, Zeke and Nic — swimmers can rest easy knowing they will be patrolling the waters making sure everyone stays safe in the pools this summer.
For more information on council’s outdoor pool locations, free season passes and the Bush Nippers program, visit campaspeaquatics.com.au
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