Swimming in the Rond Pond in the summer of 1961/62. Photo: Marilyn and Bill Gillard, The Canberra Page.
The National Capital Authority (NCA) is still working out what to do with the heritage fountains out the front of Old Parliament House after it balked at the repair bill in 2023.
The so-called Federation Centenary Fountains were commissioned in 1968 but haven’t worked since 2014.
A recent audit found they have to be almost completely rebuilt due to broken pipes, cracks in the walls and failed fittings. The repair bill is estimated at between $15 million and $20 million.
Then-CEO Sally Barnes said the NCA would instead look for “innovative ideas that reimagine the fountains for contemporary use”.
It’s understood an announcement is coming later this year.
The sad-looking Federation Fountains. Photo: Ian Bushnell.
But while we wait, there’s at least one pond to enjoy. Maybe even by reliving the glory days and taking a dip in it.
It might sound strange now, but the Rond Pond and its two fountains in the middle of the roundabout that intersects Parkes Way and Anzac Parade used to be a popular swimming hole.
According to the NCA website, before Commonwealth Park was completed, “this pond in the now busy roundabout was a favourite place to paddle, sail model boats and picnic on the grassy slopes”.
Sure enough, a photo shared on The Canberra Page on Facebook, reportedly from the summer of 1961/62, shows several families relaxing on the grass around the pond, while kids prepare handmade sailing boats for voyages on the water.
Commenters shared memories that this used to be “the weekend thing to do back then”.
One suggested this pond even had a colloquial name as the “Boys’ Pool”, while the next pond down, at the intersection with Coranderrk Street, was considered the “Girls’ Pool”.
Apparently, neither was without risks, though.
“You had to be careful or you’d stub your toes on the pipes running along the floor of the ponds,” one commented.
More recently, in the ’90s, one recalled how he and his Datsun 1600 “almost ended up in there” after attempting to pull off a drift around the roundabout.
Apparently, many other cars have also ended up in the drink over the years.
The Rond Pond is actually a settling pond for stormwater runoff. runoffDLMcK, Stock.
David Bate is now retired, but previously worked as a project manager for the NCA’s 1970s predecessor, the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC).
He confirmed with the Region that during the 1960s, the area was a popular picnic spot, and “a place to sail model boats” and “paddle and splash about”.
“It wasn’t deep enough to swim in, though, and the bottom had a number of pipes for the fountains and drainage.”
Its popularity only waned when Commonwealth Park came along, and the number of cars passing by made it not such a great place for relaxation.
The development of Weston Park in the late 1960s, with its adventure playground, ponds, picnic areas and lakeside swimming spots, put the nail in Rond Pond’s coffin.
There’s perhaps another reason it was never a good place to swim, though.
Mr Bate said Rond Pond was designed not only to look pretty as “part of the vista looking down Anzac Parade towards Lake Burley Griffin” but also had a far more humble use.
“The practical use was to act as a settling pond for stormwater runoff entering the lake, hence the dish-like shape of the grass surround.”
Can you still do it today?
As a public pond – much like the lake itself – technically, yes. But you’ll want to watch your feet and not put your head under. And be prepared for plenty of passing motorists to stop and ask if you’re okay.
