It was teeming with rain, but 150 people dedicated to the cause of saving the Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool turned out at a rally last Saturday at the rotunda on Main Street.
Rally organiser Anne Cross led the speakers, which also included Stephanie Buckland Harms, Genevieve Wilks, Bernie Farquhar, Adam Bloem and Lucknow Primary School students Anna Bryan and Lara Pendergast.
Mrs Cross gave a brief history of how Bairnsdale, like many other towns, was inspired by the events of the 1956 Olympics, when swimmers such as Dawn Fraser became national heroes.
The Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool became a vision in 1960, but it took nine years for it to open, with the community raising money and even helping to dig it out.
Photos of the pool on its last day of opening earlier this year were circulated at the rally, where Mrs Cross said it didn’t look broken or unusable.
She also outlined how the community had raised $500,000 for the indoor pool and that these assets were created by plenty of hard work from community members — “something the council seems to forget”.
The crowd came to life when Mrs Cross chanted, “We need it open, we need it repaired and we need it to happen now.”
Mrs Buckland Harms outlined swimming in the outdoor pool as a youngster and how she would love to be doing it in coming months as she prepares for childbirth.
Mr Farquhar explained the The Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool is a place where people can gather — all ages, all abilities.
“It’s a place on hot, uncomfortable days where we can find sanctuary and relief from the intense weather, for hotter days and heatwaves that are predicted to increase,” he said.
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“An outdoor open space like the pool will be required and a necessity on days like this.
“It’s a place where kids can swim and play in absolute safety, achieve new goals and grow in confidence as they become accomplished swimmers — an achievement which will assist them with other life challenges.
“School sports, competitions and social fun days are all about creating and building community — a place of wellbeing for all abilities and all ages.”
Mr Farquhar excited the crowd when outlining how the pool provides a safe place for all ages, whether you are learning to swim, training for competitions or rehabilitating mentally or physically. Although speaking as an individual, not in his role as an East Gippsland Shire councillor, Mr Farquhar still outlined why the pool should remain open in regard to council policy and guidelines.
“In the East Gippsland Shire Draft Open Space Strategy 2025–35, the number one priority is to optimise open space by providing a high-quality, central, multifunctional open space which will bring people together to connect and be active,” he said.
“While the East Gippsland Shire Council Plan 2025–29 — theme one ‘community wellbeing’ — states belonging and social inclusion are critical components for mental health and overall wellbeing, emphasising mental health and wellbeing helps reduce stigma, fosters social connections, enhances physical health, boosts productivity and creates safer communities.
“Initiatives that promote high levels of wellbeing play a crucial role in driving economic success. These initiatives result in improved learning outcomes, increased creativity, greater productivity, stronger relationships, better physical health and longer life expectancy.
“The 2015 aquatic strategy outlines council should focus on improving existing facilities and promoting the use of existing infrastructure rather than building new facilities that are unsustainable.
“The Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool Business Case (January 2010), when discussing the need for a new pool, highlights the need for a 50-metre competition-length pool and lap swimmers’ preference for an outdoor pool.”
Mr Farquhar told the gathering, “It’s disappointing to see such a major asset in its current state, and it’s now time to act.
“East Gippslanders deserve better. This facility and asset needs a major overhaul and redevelopment into a precinct we can all be proud of.”
Mrs Cross said the pool is vital for a country town, especially during summer, and she’s struggling to understand why council would consider its closure as it “threatens the community’s future”.
“Towns thrive with engaged communities and public assets that bring us together. Closing the pool risks turning Bairnsdale into a place for tourists to pass through rather than a nurturing home for residents,” she said.
Ms Wilks outlined the thoughts of local GP Dr Jamie Croft, who emphasised that the outdoor pool fosters social connections.
“It is particularly beneficial for families with neurodivergent children, and it supports mental wellbeing and water safety, offering a supervised environment that helps prevent drownings,” Mrs Wilks said.
“Revitalising the pool would reflect a council’s commitment to liveability and inclusion, enhancing the town’s appeal for current and future residents.”
Mr Bloem, founder of the East Gippsland Winter Festival, spoke of his childhood memories of the pool and his daughter’s involvement in a carnival — 14 schools use the pool for carnivals — and how it has inspired her to take up swimming.
He also shared his vision for the pool precinct: a vibrant, multi-use community hub — perhaps water polo and other water sports popular in other regional cities, community gatherings, games and activities on the lawn, family fun days, even pop-up outdoor cinema nights.
The Lucknow Primary School students spoke about how important school carnivals and competitions are to them, explaining that they will feel “very sad” if there are none next year.
Other children were upstairs in the rotunda, drawing and writing about how the pool must continue to operate.
Around 145 people signed the petition, which now has about 1600 signatures.
Organisers were delighted to get 12 new people sign up to the incorporated group, Save the Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool, and 30 to the Friends of group, offering skills and volunteer labour.
