Rocking the Ocean Pools

ANZAC Day Services

SATURDAY 25 APRIL 2022

HARBORD DIGGERS Ocean Terrace 88 Evans Street, Freshwater Commemorative Service 7am for 8am

DEE WHY RSL Peace Garden. 932 Pittwater Rd, Dee Why Commemorative Service Arrive 6am for 6.15am

FORESTVILLE RSL Cenotaph, Starkey Street, Forestville for 6am service

NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE Oxford Falls Peace Park, Oxford Falls at 6am

BROOKVALE STATE TRANSIT EX-SERVICES CLUB Brookvale Bus Depot Pittwater Road, Brookvale 7.15am service

AVALON BEACH RSL Cenotaph, Bowling Green Lane, Avalon Beach at 6am

BALGOWLAH RSL 30-38 Ethel St, Seaforth 11am service

PITTWATER RSL Lower Cenotaph 30-38 Ethel St, Seaforth Dawn Service at 5.30am

Rocking the Ocean pools

A SMALL GROUP OF LOCALS LIVING ON THE NORTHERN BEACHES WANTED TO CELEBRATE WHERE THEY LIVED, RAISE AWARENESS FOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES SUCH AS DEMENTIA, ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY DISORDERS, AND HAVE SOME FUN.

For one local resident, Mick Harrold and his mate, the goal was to swim all of the ocean rockpools around the area in one day.

This event was an opportunity for more than just a couple of friends. So, in October 2021, a date was set for everyone to come to the big Ocean Rockpool Tour on January 15th 2022.

Mental health has become an international issue in the past years, with older and younger onset cases of Alzheimer’s.

One man, Bill, was recently diagnosed with Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. His friends decided to make it a fundraiser to support Bill and others and improve their own health.

“We wanted to support our mate Bill and improve our own health and wellbeing,” said Mick.

The charities the team chose to support were Lifeline and Vinnies — both fantastic organisations. They also reached out to local businesses 7th Day Brewery, Sale Pepe Pizzeria and Budgy Smuggler to help out.

The ocean rockpools on the Northern Beaches are a local icon of sorts. There are 14 ocean rockpools on the Beaches, 15 if you count Fairlight pool in North Harbour. Built during the 1930s depression, the rock pools have always been a fun and safe source of enjoyment, but also a place that many locals have learned to swim at, for decades.

“We live in a lucky country, in one of the best cities in the world and one of the fi nest neighbourhoods.

“We wanted to have some fun for our own health and wellbeing, and while doing so, raise awareness to a range of mental health issues. We want to help remove the stigma sometimes associated with mental health disorders and raise funds for affected local disadvantaged people in need of money and support,” says Mick. Organisers, Mick Harrold, Bill Yeates, Simon Rorke and Peter Yeates led the charge for a healthier life. The 22-strong team and their bus driver Peter Farrell started their swimming adventure at Palm Beach and fi nished their day at Fairy Bower Manly. The day offered an opportunity to pause from daily activities and refl ect on what’s important: friends, mental health, and physical wellbeing. In this new era, everyone can improve their mental and physical health with some exercise and time with friends.

Finally celebrating their day at the 7th Day Brewery in Brookvale, the group of ocean rockpool swimmers raised over $10,000 for charities including Lifeline Northern Beaches, Vinnies Northern Beaches and Dementia Alliance International (DAI).

It’s amazing to see the dedication of the people on the Northern Beaches. Every action, word and dollar counts. This is a fi ne example of the culture on the Northern Beaches; people that make things happen.

You can reach out to fi nd out more on this team of healthy individuals by visiting www. OceanRockpoolTour.com. •