Golden Square is on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples of the Kulin Nation. Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung People) have lived on their traditional lands and cared for djandak (Country) over many thousands of years.
In 1851, not more than 100 metres from this spot, Margaret Kennedy and Julia Farrell struck gold in the chain of ponds known as the Bendigo Creek and so began the rush to the Bendigo diggings.
Within months there were more than 10,000 people working the Bendigo diggings. Within a few years, all trees had been cut down for use by the miners, the goldfield dug out and the creek reduced to oozing sludge........
Excavation of the basin began in January 1917 and was filled with water in March. A swimming club was formed in April and the dressing shed and springboard installed. In October the baths were considered ready for use. Meanwhile, the area nearby which fronts Mackenzie Street was approved by council to be developed into a recreational reserve........
Not the least notable event of the year was the opening of the Golden Square Baths, where a fine pool with accessories has been provided, affording unequalled facilities for free bathing by the residents in this specially favored suburb. The fact that ladies participate in this and what is known as mixed bathing has been carried on during the hot summer weather, with every regard to propriety attracting hundreds of onlookers makes a new departure in every way satisfactory to a progressive community....
Swimming grew in popularity across Australian in the mid twentieth century following the success of Dawn Fraser and Murray Rose in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. At some time after that, Golden Square Pool was upgraded to the more formal structure known today
In November 2012, City of Greater Bendigo councillors voted to close the Golden Square Pool, citing rising costs and falling attendances.
Following this announcement, a groundswell of community support by dedicated locals, led by Golden Square residents Ken Hamilton and Linda Howell, forced the decision back to council.
On 1 May 2013, a delighted Committee of Management led by Ken Hamilton took control of the Golden Square Pool and began a fundraising and maintenance program, joined by dozens of locals.
Despite its success, the pool was again threatened with closure in February 2018. The motion was again before council to close the pool now that the new aquatic centre at Kangaroo Flat was ready to open. Once again, the community rallied around the pool and an intense campaign by the committee and supporters of the pool
In March 2020, despite an extraordinary increase in patronage, volunteer numbers and memberships, the council again considered a motion to close the pool. Once again, the community rallied to save the pool. This time the campaign largely took place on social media due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
For the past ten years the people involved with the Golden Square Pool have demonstrated the same tenacity and community spirit that inspired our forebears to fight for this little piece of paradise. Everyday people have worked together to make this community a better place - a safe place for children to learn to swim, a place for families to enjoy and for friendships to be made. The beating heart of Golden Square.
