Whenever I share photos of water-skiing on Shepparton’s Victoria Park Lake on my Lost Shepparton Facebook Page, there are always many comments.
The fact that water skiing and speed boats have been banned and that the water-skiing spectacle on the lake is not there anymore is of great regret to many and a celebration for others.
Lost Shepparton Facebook comments:
John Davidson
Back when the lake was a resource, not a view. It’s disgraceful it’s not still used by power boats and skiers.
Jenn Willo
It was the best times. Boats on the lake were awesome.
Grant Durston
We used to ski most Saturdays on the lake. It was great.
Maree Trevaskis
We skied there almost every weekend and after work!
Kathy Ryan
I learnt to ski on that lake as a teenager. And water skiing then took me around the world performing in professional water-ski shows at theme parks in Europe and America for seven years.
Now based in Mulwala and performing water-ski shows for tourists every summer.
Would love to be able to bring a water-ski show to the Shepp lake for the locals to enjoy.
Sue Roberts
I remember sitting under the willow trees getting splashed as they went past. A great way to spend a weekend in summer.
Graeme Houghton
Was a great time and many a good day spent on the water. Should be converted back to those days and watch the visitor numbers rise once again.
Noel Barber
I learned to ski there too, but probably 50 years ago!
Sherree Fisher
Learnt to ski there and barefoot. Loved the tire tube around the top corner.
Noel Brady
Great spot sitting watching the boats and eating KFC.
Joanne Montgomery
Yes spent weekends and after school skiing on the lake.
Goulburn Valley Waterski Club, family and friends.
It was fun times!
Murray Parker
Took part in a boat race on the lake, with my brother-in-law Doug Green, great fun, but we did not win.
Great days, skiing, just enjoying it.
So much better than it is now.
David Cook
Learnt to ski here in the ’60s with Jim Powles’ clinker boat. What fun days after work.
Anne-marie Tal
They stopped water-skiing on the Shepparton lake because the water was contaminated and dirty and not good for swimming.
It was too dangerous for speed boats and only good for canoeing.
Robert Forsyth
I remember swimming in the lake or just sitting on the edge with your feet in the water. I saw boat races as well as water-skiing on the lake.
Pete Radev
We all wish for the good old days, but unfortunately, everything creeps up on us.
Removing the speed boats was one of the worst things that happened to the lake, but the water quality was dangerous.
Helen Parris-Goff
They were the good old days people having fun on the beautiful lake, so sad to see it now.
Kim Vallance
The lake was churned up by ski boats.
Too small for skiing on and resulted in a woman dying.
The lake precinct is magnificent now and used by many.
Mark Thomson
It was a delight back then when we went off to the pool and its sand beach.
Also, the yabbies nipping ya toes.
Then sitting under the willows along the lake foreshore with my parents having sandwiches for tea, listening and watching the boats echoing throughout surrounding bushland on a warm summer’s evening.
Absolute bliss.
Chelle Hanley
Back when you could actually ski on it! I learned to doubles ski on the Shepp lake! Useless now.
Judith Crawford Keyte
Miss the boats and being able to sit under the willow trees.
This was when the lake had character and great appeal.
Jeff Petts
Power boats on a Saturday and wind-powered vessels on Sundays.
It was great and should never have been stopped.
Geoff Allemand is an amateur photographer and Lost Shepparton Facebook page admin. Please share your Pics from the Past at pastpics@mmg.com.au