Published on Tuesday, 15 November 2022 at 10:45:49 AM
Beatty Park has been around for some time now, and over our last 60 years we’ve had thousands of staff, some of which are related, married or go way back themselves.
This includes Brenda and Anneke Dearlove, a mother and daughter duo who are both swim instructors at Beatty Park.
We spoke to Brenda and Anneke about their history with Beatty Park.
BRENDA
What is your first memory of Beatty Park?
My first visit to Beatty Park was in April 1978. I went to Bentley Senior High School and we attended the state swimming competition. I didn’t compete but I remember sitting in the grand stand facing the dive pool. It was most memorable due to the fact that cyclone Alby was making its way down past Perth. The sky was this grey/yellow/brown colour quite scary and it was windy. The swim competition continued and I can’t remember who won but only remembered being scared and awed by the conditions.
When did you become involved with Beatty Park Swim School?
I met former swim teacher Di in 1994, and she mentioned she was a Parent & Baby swim instructor at Beatty Park. When Anneke was born, she encouraged me to bring her to swimming lessons.
In 1997 when she was one, we started swimming lessons at Beatty Park.
1997 Home video of Brenda and Anneke during swimming lessons.
What made you decide to become a swimming instructor?
At the same time, I was encouraged by both Di and Rhonda to become a swim Instructor. In 2006 I completed all the requirements for teaching babies and commenced teaching in 2007. Later I also completed the disabilities course.
How does it make you feel that Anneke has followed in your footsteps?
I’m so proud and happy that she joined the Beatty Park Swim School family, which we have been a part of for most of her life.
She has by all accounts been a valued member of the swim school team. She is well liked by all including the students she teaches.
Swim instructor Brenda and her daughter Anneke during swimming lessons in the 90s.
ANNEKE
What are your earliest memories of swimming?
I remember when I was learning breaststroke kick I could never quite get the hang of it, and I remember getting pulled out of class and having 1 on 1 lessons just to correct my breaststroke kick. Now I love it, it’s probably my favourite stroke. I also distinctly remember being a bit cheeky in my squad class; my friend and I used to pull each other’s legs and we’d get yelled at by the teacher from the pool deck.
Have you always loved swimming?
I’ve always loved the water, partly because I’ve always wanted to be a marine biologist. I did a lot of sports as a kid but I always seemed to come back to swimming, I was always consistent with it. I now enjoy doing a few laps before my shifts.
What made you decide to become a swimming instructor too?
I was looking for a job during uni and Mum suggested I’d be good at swim teaching. I’ve found it really rewarding, being able to help kids and adults learn swimming so they can hopefully enjoy the water like I do. Watching them break through their fear, or finally nailing a skill they’ve been working hard on, and the smiles and high fives when they’ve realised they can do it; seeing those moments makes it worthwhile.
What’s it like working with your Mum?
We don’t really have many shifts together, but I like watching her teach the babies when I can. She always has a big smile on her face and looks like she’s having so much fun, and you can tell the kids and parents are having fun too. She puts in a lot of effort, like learning all the parents names and making sure they understand the skills, while also still having lots of fun. She gives me great advice too if I’ve got a difficult student or skill to teach.
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