Aquaphilia - Anne Spudvilas

Sunrise swimming In the bay has become increasingly popular since the days of lockdown. The growing community of people who swim every morning espouse the benefits of cold water, adding that the camaraderie and mental health benefits are a major part of plunging into the waters of the bay as well as the great exercise and camaraderie.

Artist Anne Spudvilas came to live at Indented Head after moving down from the Murray River two years ago. She started swimming with the Salty Bitches at Indented Head and claims it played a huge part in helping her settle into her new home. Every morning, Anne takes her cameras down to the Indented Head Yacht Club to photograph the sunrise, the swimmers, birds and shoreline.

'Every day is different - you never know what will happen. It could be a luminous sunrise, pelicans or black swans flying overhead or joining us in the water. Occasionally, they see dolphins. Whatever the morning brings, there's always laughter and friendship'

Anne Spudvilas is a painter, illustrator and photographer. Her books have won awards including the NSW and Queensland Premiers Awards, her portraits have been selected in the Archibald and Doug Moran prizes and she has worked as a court artist for the Melbourne media.