An enquiry from a reader has led the Narrandera Argus to undertake some research through its files regarding the famous Lake Talbot water tower.

The enquirer wanted to know details about the water tower itself.

Many articles have been written over the years about the famous lake and its facilities but here’s what we can tell you about the water tower.

Fatal diving accident
– January 8 1946:

Robert Edward Lane was killed whilst diving into Narrandera’s Lake Talbot on January 8 1946 at Narandera (spelt with a single R then) on the 14th December 1945.

It will be remembered that at Easter last year the late Mr Lane was married at Merriwa to a daughter of Mrs Laurie Lambert, of Merriwa.

Commenting on the accident, the Narandera Argus says: “About 9pm on Friday last the first fatal accident to occur at the lake since its inception took place when a young man, Mr Robert Edward Lane, aged 23 years, lost his life.

“It appears that Mr Lane and several mates were diving from one of the spring boards at the lake. Mr Stan Hunt dived into the water and Mr Lane immediately went in after him, striking Hunt with his head.

He did not rise and his mates and others immediately set about to rescue him. It was only about three minutes after the accident that the body was recovered and brought to the bank by Master Arthur Turner, of Audley Street.

As Mr Lane, thought to be unconscious, efforts to bring about artificial respiration were commenced and kept in operation until the arrival of medical assistance.

It is understood that Mr Lane’s neck was dislocated when he collided with Mr Hunt. The late Mr Lane was only a comparatively newcomer to Narandera, where he opened an upholstery business.

He joined the Narandera Railway Town Band and made a number of friends here. Some time prior to coming to Narandera he served with the Royal Australian Navy during the war period.

The funeral took place on Saturday and on arrival at the cemetery the members of the Railway Town Band and the R.S.S. and A.I.L. subbranch formed a guard of honour and marched to the graveside, where Sgt Frank Collins, of the Narandera Air School, sounded the “Last Post” and the “Reveille.” The band played “Nearer My God to Thee.”

Mr Lane, who is survived by his wife, resided in Muswellbrook for a period after returning from active service.

Diving into the past of Lake Talbot pool
– January 14, 2021

With the opening of the new look Lake Talbot Water Park, former champion high diver John Sullivan of Narrandera recalled the days when the pool sported a 10m diving board.

Mr Sullivan is pictured as a seventeen year old in 1946 in an exhibition dive from the 10m tower with fellow diver Alex Scott into Lake Talbot pool at the Riverina swimming carnival.

As the shire’s oldest living competitive diver, Mr Sullivan used the one, three and 10 metre boards at the pool.

He held the South Western Districts Diving Championship, impressing judges with his full twists and somersaults.

“The water came through from the lake in those days and it was not exactly clear but swimmable.

“The pool had eight lanes unlike today’s six lanes.

“In this reconstruction there should have been eight lanes to hold swimming carnivals.”

Mr Sullivan continued diving during his army career and was an army champion before retiring from the sport while serving in the Korean War.

He may have qualified for the Olympics but war got in the road.

“It was a beautiful feeling going off the 10m tower – the Australian Olympic champion came down to Narrandera, Arthur Eve, and he was a great friend of mine.

“I never had a coach, just looked at pictures and copied other divers.”

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 4 July 2024.