ARARAT’S Wilf Dickeson started life as a swimming instructor in 1966 and fifty years on, is still teaching youngsters lessons about the pool.
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In that time, Mr Dickeson has seen many changes to swimming teaching. Campaigns such as Play It Safe by the Water, Kids Alive – Do the Five and Swim and Survive, have increased awareness of pool safety and the need to have proper training, such as obtaining an AustSwim certificate and undergoing CPR updates, has become imperative.
The biggest change however, according to Mr Dickeson, is the ratio of students to an instructor.
“You can have all the ad campaigns but people will still do foolish things in the water. As far as changes, I would say the ratio has been the biggest thing,” he said.
“Back then (in the 60’s and 70’s) you would have up to 32 students to a teacher. Now you’re basically not allowed to work with any more than six or eight. This makes for better instructing.”
Mr Dickeson joined the Victorian Primary Physical Education staff in the summer of 1965-66.
His first teaching round was in Melbourne at Malvern, Richmond and Prahran pool and he remained in the metropolitan area until December 1971.
Mr Dickeson came to Stawell in January, 1972, and was the physical education adviser for the Stawell inspectorate. His influence in the Wimmera, Ararat and Pyrenees region was immediate.
“I told the district inspector that we really need to start teaching swimming to children from prep to grade six. At the time, schools were only teaching grade five and six classes,” Mr Dickeson said.
“Fortunately he agreed to that idea and it still exists today.”
In his inspectorate role, Mr Dickeson visited Stawell, Ararat, Beaufort, Avoca, Willaura, Lake Bolac and St Arnaud pools. He then moved into classroom teaching, beginning at Ararat West in 1975 before moving to Ararat 800 and then switching back to West.
Because of his background, Mr Dickeson had a heavy influence in the school’s swimming program and offered advice to others in the area.
“Each of those schools made us of my interest and expertise,” he said.
In 1981, Mr Dickeson became Ararat Swimming Club coach and at the same time, was secretary/treasurer for the Wimmera district. He was Ararat coach for 7-8 years, and remained on district committee until 1997. Mr Dickeson was competing in meets in addition to holding these positions.
He received a plaque in recognition of his many years of service to the Wimmera district.
Mr Dickeson did have a break from the swimming scene, moving to Sydney in 1998. He and his wife retired back to Ararat at the end of 2004 and commenced swimming teaching at the Ararat YMCA (now Ararat Fitness Centre). He has been there ever since.
Mr Dickeson was asked: What is the most rewarding part of the role?
“Seeing the kids actually learn to swim, and becoming competent at it. I’ve always stressed that it’s about trying to get them to have a lot of fun and enjoyment out of it,” Mr Dickeson said.
“Just to see them master a skill, and improve their confidence in the water (is rewarding). If you remain involved for 50 years, it must be a pleasure.”