Swim teacher dives into retirement

AFTER 35 years, Bacchus Marsh swim teacher Elizabeth Peelman has called time on a career that has helped generations of local children learn to be safe in the water.

Ms Peelman announced her retirement on social media this month, marking the end of decades spent teaching children not just how to swim, but how to dive in with enthusiasm.

“I believe every kid should have the opportunity to swim and learn how to swim, particularly in Australia in this environment, with so much water around,” she said.

“Just getting the kids swimming, it is such an achievement. You keep going, ‘You have to do it this way, you have to do it this way’, and then they finally get it, it’s like ‘Woah’, you know?”

Her retirement post was met with a wave of messages, with families congratulating her and thanking her for teaching both them and their children.

She said the comments made her realise she was appreciated.

“I just want to thank the people who supported me,” she said.

Ms Peelman said the decision to retire had been a “very difficult” one, made after recognising the physical toll decades in the pool had taken.

“I don’t want people to think that I have health issues, but my body just needs a rest,” she said.

After a 14-year career in local government aquatic departments, Miss Peelman started Bacchus Marsh Learn to Swim in 1989.

She said her pool had taught multiple generations within the same families.

“I’ve had their kids, and now I’ve got their kids,” she said. “Most of those kids walk into that pool area and go, ‘Hi Liz’, and not even look to see if I was there or not, because I was always there.”

She said her pool provided a relaxed environment.

“I think it was more personalised,” she said. “A lot of customers became friends.”