General News
26 February, 2024
Making waves for over 50 years
About half a century ago, in the sweltering summer of 1968, a group of women from Avoca came together to carry out an important mission — the impact of which is still rippling into the present. The town owes its swimming pool on Rutherford Street...
About half a century ago, in the sweltering summer of 1968, a group of women from Avoca came together to carry out an important mission — the impact of which is still rippling into the present.
The town owes its swimming pool on Rutherford Street to the efforts of more than 40 ladies who formed a committee decades ago to lobby and raise funds for its construction.
At the time, the group was tasked with the responsibility of pooling in $35,000, roughly amounting to $537,000 in today’s currency.
Finally, on February 16, 1973, their goal was realised and Avoca’s first swimming pool was opened to the public.
Five decades later, in 2024, this anniversary was celebrated in a special way — by bringing together everything the facility has helped nourish.
Two weeks ago, coinciding with the 51st year of the pool, the Avoca Primary School held their swimming sports event, following which the Avoca Friends of the Pool committee gave out free ice-creams and afternoon tea to the kids and other residents.
The school’s acting principal Tom Elliott said the entire community came out in support of the students and the anniversary.
“Literally everybody was there, it was huge,” he said.
“For [our] event to align with the pool’s 51st was fantastic. It’s a great feeling to see so many people come together for this celebration and to enjoy such an amazing facility — it makes you feel proud to be a part of a town like this.
“I am also really grateful to the Friends of the Pool, they do a lot for us.”
According to Avoca Friends of the Pool’s Belinda Costigan, it was an exciting and memorable event.
“It was absolutely a big day — we just couldn’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the anniversary with the kids and the school,” she said.
“I think it’s important for the community to know and acknowledge the work that was done by that group of women all those years ago to create this facility.
“Not only did they raise funds for it, but once it was constructed, they were responsible for running and maintaining it. It’s amazing that we’re able to show our gratitude through this event.”
