When you reach the grand old age of 90, you can be forgiven if your birthday celebrations come almost two weeks after the actual day.
But when the day is marked by clear blue skies and sunny weather, and the water is as inviting as ever, it was as good a time as any to mark the occasion.
Sunday saw Manuka Pool mark its 90th birthday, but for a newly-minted nonagenarian, it looks just the same as when it opened to the public officially in 1931, although some restoration works a few years back may have helped.
The day was marked with a sausage sizzle, face painting, a jumping castle and of course a dip in the pool.
The pool was officially opened to the public on January 26, 1931, and while Manuka Pool could have marked the anniversary on Australia Day, pool manager Bryan Pasfield said they wanted to have a day just for themselves.
"In the past we have struggled with Australia Day, and it can be hit and miss for us, particularly with other events held around Canberra on the same day," Mr Pasfield said.
"We decided to have our own event and we selected the Sunday."
COVID restrictions have meant numbers of attendees at the pool were capped and limited to three-hour sessions, but as many as 300 people were lapping up the sunshine and enjoying the water in each session.
Mr Pasfield has been in the role of manager at the pool for nine seasons, and said while times may have changed since the pool was first opened, what hadn't was its significance to the Canberra community.
"It's an iconic pool. Back in the 1930s when things were tough when the Depression hit, it was a meeting place for families," he said.
"It was one of the only things to do and it was a release to people who were suffering in those times.
"Over the years people have come and visited for birthday parties or to meet people, and it's just a great place to be."
The pool was originally designed to be 61 metres by 18.5 metres and include a heating system and hot showers, but costs were cut due to the Depression.
A more modest design without a roof or heating was approved for a cost of £10,000 with the pool measuring 30 by 12 metres.
A children's pool along with two acres of grassy space was added to the pool complex during the 1960s.
More recently, a $2.42 million restoration was undertaken in 2019, which saw the pool retiled with tiles imported from the Czech Republic.
Among those at the pool for its 90th birthday was former manager John Taverner, who held that position for more than 30 years.
Even before his role of manager began, Manuka Pool still played an important part in his life.
"When the pool expanded and got the extra two acres of backyard, that was the pinnacle of the pool, and as a teenager, it couldn't get any better," Mr Taverner said.
"In this modern world, the pool is precious, and it's an integral part of south Canberra."
Mr Taverner said the pool was a focal point for the Canberra community each summer, something that hasn't changed since the pool opened all those decades ago.
"People fall in love with it every summer. People only come here for a few hours, and they still get the same experience and it's magical."
