Thomastown pool women’s only swimming sessions by Whittlesea Council spark debate

A swimming program exclusively for women in Melbourne’s north is causing controversy, with some questioning if blokes will get their own sessions too.

The promo poster for Women's Only Swimming at Thomastown Recreation Aquatic Centre. Picture: Whittlesea Council Facebook page

A women’s only swimming program in Thomastown has sparked debate online, with some asking why men aren’t also entitled to their own sessions.

More than 140 people have commented on Whittlesea Council’s January 29 Facebook post announcing the program was set to return at the Thomastown Recreation & Aquatic Centre.

“The popular free Women’s Only Swim program returns on Monday nights from February 1,” the council wrote.

“Enjoy a swim in a private pool with a female lifeguard and swim teachers, with free mini adult swimming lessons available too.”

According to the TRAC website, the sessions will allow women to build their confidence in the water in a safe and supportive environment.

“Friendly female lifeguards will keep you safe in the private warm water pool area,” it said.

“Bring a friend to this social and fun women’s only swim experience. Children are welcome (boys under three years welcome and no more than two children under five years per adult).”

Opinions were divided on the move on the council’s Facebook post.

Vanesa Petrovski-Simjanoski said it was a good idea.

“Whenever I’ve been it’s full of men who just constantly stare and it makes women feel uncomfortable,” she wrote.

Ceara Lee said she understood why people were complaining the program was sexist.

“However...... nobody can deny that women are still objectified at a very high level by men in society,” she wrote.

“Initiatives such as this are a good interim measure until as a race we can curve this behaviour towards women.”

But Steven Merigan said things would be different if it was a men’s only program.

“Probably get whinged at for saying it but if male only swimming was introduced first, it would be labelled sexist,” he said, while Kevin Duffy asked: “When’s men’s only starting?”

A historic women-only ocean pool in Sydney recently caused furore and was accused of exhibiting “trans exclusionary radical feminism” after declaring only post-surgical trans women could swim at the idyllic spot.

Whittlesea Council administrator Peita Duncan said the successful Women’s Only Swim program had been running at TRAC for more than a year, using a Swimming Australia grant.

“The program was introduced as a way of removing barriers to participation which many vulnerable and under-represented members of our community face,” Ms Duncan said.

“It aims to provide cultural and linguistically diverse women with an opportunity to learn to swim and access water in a safe and supportive environment.”

Ms Duncan said the program was open to all women.

“The City of Whittlesea has a commitment to support the whole community and supports transgender people to access our facilities, including swimming pools,” she said.

“Traditionally, women participate in physical activity at much lower rates than men, which also contributes to the need for a Women’s Only Swim Program.

“While we do not currently have a Men’s Only Swim Program, we welcome community members’ suggestions and feedback.”

Thomastown is one of a number of centres across Melbourne to offer women’s only swimming sessions, including Clayton Aquatics Health Club, Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre,

and Kensington Community Recreation Centre, although some programs have been paused due to the pandemic.

Monash Leader reported in 2011 that Monash Council had sought an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to open Clayton Community Centre every second Sunday night to women only.

The council allocated $66,400 for a screen to provide privacy after a group of fewer than 50 Muslim women requested women-only swimming sessions at the pool.