Cronulla Water Polo | Eric Hirst

Eric Hirst

Eric was the Shire Engineer and later, the Director of Technical Services of the Sutherland Shire Council from 1974 to 1991. He managed more than 600 staff and a multi-million dollar budget. He was a strong self taught swimmer, who spent much of his spare time teaching children to swim, and providing them with the pools wherein to swim. In Coonamble, the swimming complex he built for the council won him an award as one of the best at that time outside the USA.Eric taught his six children to swim and each represented the state in water polo during their high school years.Before moving to the Sutherland Shire Eric was a player and the President of Cessnock Water Polo Club. He also took teams to Newcastle to compete regularly.Eric’s involvement with Cronulla Water Polo Club from the early seventies included hands on work in running of the Friday night competition at Gunnamatta, refereeing, also coaching and refereeing for the grade competition of Sunday nights. He coached the under 18’s NSW B side, and junior representative teams for the St George/Sutherland District. He was a delegate for the St George and the Cronulla Water Polo Clubs.

Eric introduced Water Polo to Kirrawee High School, which has since become the school’s most successful sport. The school’s under 15’s team won the state water polo competition four years in a row under his tuition. Kirrawee High School now has the reputation of being a nursery for the countries future stars of the game.

Eric is honoured through the naming of the “Eric Hirst Aquatic and Recreation Centre” at Sutherland for the outstanding contribution he made to the Shire, in the community and in a professional capacity. He was a driving force behind the $5 million project.

( Sutherland Shire Council President, Clr Doug McNeil and the Director of Council’s Technical Services Division, Mr Eric Hirst …inspecting plans for the $5.3 million Aquatic and Recreation Centre to be built at Waratah Park, Sutherland)

Countless numbers of children have Eric Hirst to thank for their swimming ability and his efforts were recognized with the life membership of a number of shire clubs and being appointed patron of others. He was president, patron and life member of the Sutherland Swimming Club. In his work with local committees, accepting executive positions, he showed the way by example.

(Eric’s enthusiasm for water sports lives on in his children and grandchildren)

Eric’s love of water sport and his desire for others to enjoy the water whilst being confident and safe had a profound effect on his own children. All of his children have, at some point over the years, been involved in the teaching and coaching of children to swim and play water polo.Eric also completed a 4 year technical college art course. He was a skilled organ player, a lover of nature, being happiest when bushwalking, canoeing, sailing, and particularly in the company of his large but very close family. Eric’s family are very proud of their husband, father and grandfather.