By Chris Blankley

Sad news of the passing of one of the founding members of LIWA Aquatics.

Merv passed away peacefully at St John of Gods in Midland Sunday 25 August 2019

Merv was the original manager of Bilgoman Pool and worked for the Shire of Mundaring from 1968 to 1998.

He was the coessential pool manager, professional, friendly and supportive of all the local kids and their families.

He was a big man with a big heart, he could make me laugh till my belly hurt.

1962/63, Merv gave up work as a carpenter and took up a job as Pool Manager in the bustling metropolis that was Goomalling till 1968. In a small town the pool is the place to be in summer.

Merv became a mate to most of the town and a second Dad to a lot of the kids. Merv was often seen standing in the middle of the big pool with 20 kids hanging off him trying to duck him. This would only end after a few hours when all the kids had had enough of being ducked themselves – and with Merv laughing all the way through.

To show the type of person Merv was here are just two stories from Chris Blankley (Current Manager of Bilgoman Pool) remembers of him.

“So I’m 18ish, going for my first real job interview, part time poolie (while Merv finally has some long service leave)

The CEO first words are;

“You are late, the Shire President and pool manager have gone AND the pool manager, Merv says you a trouble maker, he is always having to kick you out”

After the CEO has given me a dressing down, we have a chat for half hour and finally says,

“Well you seem like nice young man with your head screwed on, you’ve got the job”

“Are you serious” I ask and he says, “Yep you were the only one who applied.”

The finishing note is, I jump in my the car, go straight down to the pool and see Merv.

Merv’s statement went something like this;

“Bloody hell!, you are not the guy I thought you were, I told the CEO, you are a real dick”

The other story I remember of Merv is that there was a boy named John, real cheeky little shit, local and he was at the pool all summer and he drove Merv nuts.

Gone were the days when you could give them a quick clip and tell them behave.

John comes a cropper off his pushie, on his way into the pool, amazing gravel rash down his front and Merv’s onto it.

We had just been given this new antiseptic spray to try and Merv thought this spray might be the thing for this nasty little gravel rash.

I was way down the back, and I could hear the kid scream, the pool went quiet, nobody moved, everyone’s eyes are on the first aid room door.

John comes out the door with ashen face and then out comes big Merv, with a smile from ear to ear.

Believe it or not, those two became quite good friends young John, was so much more respectful after that.

Side note, didn’t have as many first aid cases that summer with Merv walking around with his new best friend, spray on antiseptic.

Merv was a true pioneer and the hills community can thank Merv & his family for Bilgoman Pool with the wonderful work they did in the early years.

Sending love, prays and best wishes to the Millar family from the WA pool industry family.

Chris Blankley
Manager Bilgoman Pool
Vice President LIWA Aquatics