A “serious incident” at a women-only swimming session in Melbourne has prompted intense speculation online, as social media users around the world tried to work out what happened.
The regular Sunday night event at Sunshine Leisure Centre in Melbourne’s west was cancelled following the incident. Management initially offered little detail, referring only to “poor behaviour” in a notice that left attendees and online observers searching for answers.
That vague explanation quickly fuelled a wave of theories, with some people suggesting the disruption could have involved anti-trans demonstrators, men trying to enter the session or a political confrontation.
The swimming sessions take place outside regular operating hours and are designed to offer privacy for participants, with only three female staff members permitted to work during the events.
However, Daily Mail understands the women-only swimming session was halted after a physical altercation between female patrons. The dispute is believed to have broken out in the changerooms once the session had finished, reportedly over access to the showers.
Brimbank City Council has since suspended the sessions as it considers how the after-hours program can be managed more effectively. It is understood there was no security present at the event.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said officers attended the Sunshine Leisure Centre after receiving reports of a fight shortly after 7pm on Sunday.
“No one was injured. A formal report has not been made to police by any of the parties in relation to the incident,” the spokeswoman said.
Sunshine Leisure Centre, pictured, has become the focus of widespread online discussion after Sunday night’s reported incident.
The Melbourne leisure centre confirmed the sessions had been suspended in a brief Facebook post published on Wednesday.
The women’s-only swimming event has been cancelled following the drama as it’s understood no security staff were on site
The centre announced the suspension in a cryptic Facebook post on Wednesday.
‘Please be aware that following a serious incident involving poor behaviour at our last session, we are temporarily suspending our Sunday night Women’s Only Swimming Sessions until further notice,’ the post read.
‘This pause is to investigate the incident, review the offering, and determine its viability moving forward. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.’
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With officials initially refusing to reveal what had happened, bizarre theories ranged from someone fouling the pool, to swimmers skinny-dipping, to a transgender access dispute, and, in one particularly colourful claim, university students releasing a hippo into the pool that supposedly required a crane to remove.
Scores of people checked in from London pubs, Scottish living rooms, Canadian lunch breaks, Greek couches, Tunisian holidays and Californian offices, flooding the comments section with speculation while wondering why Facebook had served them the post in the first place.
One London pub-goer wrote: ‘I am sat in a pub in London, why this is on my feed I’ll never know… however, what happened?’
Another added: ‘I’m on holiday in Tunisia and need to know.’
As speculation ran rife, Brimbank Mayor Virginia Tachos issued a further statement later that day to address ‘incorrect information’ circulating about why the after-hours sessions had been temporarily paused.
Brimbank Mayor Virginia Tachos (pictured) said council would provide a further update once the investigation and safety assessment have been completed
‘To be clear, this pause is not due to a protest against the Women’s Only Swim Session by men, nor is it because of a transgender woman allegedly being refused entry. These claims are entirely false,’ she said in a statement.
‘The sessions have been paused following a serious safety incident that occurred on Sunday September 13, where participants and Brimbank Leisure Centre staff were exposed to unruly behaviour that occurred amongst a number of attending patrons.
‘Brimbank City Council does not tolerate violence or unsafe behaviour. The health and safety of our patrons, our staff and the broader community is our absolute priority.’
Cr Tachos said the council was conducting a full investigation and a comprehensive risk and safety assessment to determine whether the program, staffed by three females, could be delivered safely in the future.
‘We know these sessions are important to many women in our community, providing an opportunity to exercise and connect with others in a welcoming, safe and comfortable environment,’ she said.
‘Council has an obligation to ensure they are delivered in a way that is safe for everyone – including the Brimbank Leisure Centre employees who support and deliver the program.’
Cr Tachos said council would provide a further update once the investigation and safety assessment have been completed.