The heated pool community gathered this week to say thank you and pay tribute to three of the men who have had a key role in establishing and maintaining the facility.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ian Maccallum, John Smith and Murray White were thanked for their many years of service to the community over many years running the heated pool along with the gymnasium that that was originally part of the complex.
“What you three have done for the community is fantastic,” Cr Jeff Nicholson said, giving his childhood recollections of boxing and gym at the “drill hall”.
“I don’t think it could be replicated today.
“Thank you for the effort you have put in - and to your wives.”
Mr Smith recalled how the community rallied to build the heated pool and gymnasium after seeing a need for a place for young swimmers to train through winter.
They formed a committee - adding that they along with John Digby remained from that original group - and ran 22 Art Union raffles giving away new cars to raise the funds.
“We had terrific support from our community, we nearly always sold the full volume of tickets,” Mr Smith said.
“And the driving force was (Mr Maccallum), we should recognise what he has done for our community.”
Mr Smith said many people didn’t realise just how much Mr Maccallum had done to keep the heated pool operational over the years.
“Every day for 50 years – every day, not every second day or anything - he has walked to the pool, completed all the checks that have to be done, and then gone and done his day’s work,” he said.
Leonie Morrison, who runs aqua aerobics classes at the heated pool, thanked Murray White for his daily work to maintain the water quality.
The three men were recognised at a lunch at Carrawobitty homestead, where owners Monica and Ken Wren shared the history of the property and their work to renovate it over the past five years.
The function was organised by heated pool committee vice president Dianne Decker with special guests State Member for Orange Phil Donato, Mayor Graeme Miller, Council General Manager Steve Loane.
Mr Donato said he had heard how important the heated pool was to the Forbes community and had made representations for funding for upgrade to Deputy Premier John Barilaro.
He has lent his support to a Strong Country Communities grant application as a priority for Forbes.
