Temporary reprieve
A temporary reprieve on the looming closure of Kyabram Swimming Pool is welcome news, but the writing is still on the wall.
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The current pool was built in the 1950s, is nearing the end of its serviceable life, and has been earmarked for closure in 2025. According to a report presented at the January 19 Campaspe Shire Council meeting, the pool shell leaks and pump breakdowns incur costly repairs. Obviously, an ageing piece of infrastructure cannot be maintained indefinitely.
There is no doubt public swimming pools play an important role in the social fabric of rural towns, as well as offering valuable learn-to-swim programs for kids. Even so, outdoor cold-water pools are used for only a few short months of the year.
Kyabram is a growing rural community. Several new residential housing subdivisions currently being developed will bring many more families into the town.
Perhaps the Kyabram community should start agitating now for a modern new indoor hydro pool with heated water that will be used all year round by the whole community — young and old alike.
Sandra Brown, Stanhope
Almost no Australia Day
Australia Day is the day we nearly didn't have. Cook's Endeavour struck a reef resulting in a hole in the bow. A sail was dragged over the hole (the conventional response) but the hole was too large and the sail was pushed in. The pumps couldn't cope and the Endeavour was sinking. Midshipman Munkhouse said he had heard Cornish fishermen discussing a similar situation — the sail could be hardened by sewing in oakum. Cooke ordered the go ahead and told him to supervise the procedure. With the hardened sail, entry of water was slowed and the pumps kept the ship afloat. Cook headed for a nearby bay, beached the boat and the damage was repaired.
Gerald Bleasdale, Kyabram
29°C