| McLeans Beach Follow the signposts or ask a local for directions, so you can do as I often do. Wander down through McLeans Beach overlooking the Edward River, to a spot where you can just sit, look and listen to recharge your batteries. Sit at the covered picnic table under the tall canopy of giant river gums. Look at the river meandering along its way, fishing boats and their occupants hoping for that big catch, children fishing from the shore - some seriously, others just wanting to have fun. A little way off the bank is a poor, sick old gum tree. He looks as if he’s been wounded. He has had a large gash made in the side of his trunk where the blood has become crystallised. Not so wrong, apparently a small insect gets into a flaw in the trunk, causing the sap to escape and so become a burl, a much sort after prize amongst craftsmen who like to work with timber and especially Burlwood Veneer to create clocks, bowls, coffee tables and many other items of use. Then there are the the reds, yellows and greens of rosellas and other parrots, pink galahs, yellow crested cockatoos and corellas. Insect eating willy wagtails, zebra finches, yellow eyes and shy little blue wrens twitter and zip. What an array of colour - flitting faster than the blink of an eye from the trees - an occasional dive from the treetops for either a drink or maybe to catch an insect skating on the surface of the water. If you are really lucky you might see a family of pelicans, how regal they are, just gliding along without any effort. Their beaks hold more than their bellys can. Lastly to listen to these same birds, some squawking loudly others whistling unseen from the treetops. The more gentler sounds of the smaller birds in their inquisitiveness come closer maybe hoping for a crumb or two. A burst of laughter from the kookaburras makes you wonder what joke they are sharing. They seem so happy hiding in the overhead greenery out of sight. 
Listen carefully and you might just hear a far off Scottish voice from the past floating up from the beautiful white swimming beach just downstream from the picnic table.“Come on laddies and lassies, you can swim better than that.” It will be the voice of Archibald Hector McLean (a.k.a. Hector) who came to Australia as a young lad of thirteen and settled in Warrnambool, Victoria with his family, prior to relocating to Deniliquin in 1921. Hector had earned his Royal Lifesaving Society Certificates and became a well respected swimming instructor and coach. It is believed he was largely responsible for the introduction of the ‘Reel to Surf’ Life Saving in Warrnambool. In the summer of 1921/22, ‘Mr Mac’ introduced swimming classes to the local children down at Brewery Bend (named after the Riverine Brewery on the southern bank of the river downstream from this beach). Mr Mac continued with these learn to swim classes until his death in 1951. Some of his past students joined him in teaching more and more children this much needed skill over the years - thirty years devotion to a town with a river running through it, so many lives saved due to his dedication. On November 12th, 1972, the 50th anniversary of Learn to Swim, ‘Brewery Bend’ was officially renamed ‘McLeans Beach’. Deniliquin Learn to Swim still continues, it is now recognised as the longest running swim campaign in Australia and possibly the world. It is now held at Deniliquin Swim Centre and is still run by volunteers. As the echoes of Mr Mac’s voice fades, you can follow the Edward River walking track, as I often do, back towards town, under the bridge and along to the Island Sanctuary where you can make acquaintances with the kangaroos, watch the White Ibis and Yellow Spoonbills roosting or nesting in the Red Gums or just enjoy the myriad of birds as you wander peacefully beside river and billabong. |
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Nola Austin,
©2003 |
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