By KATRINA BRANDON
NEARLY a year after the horrific storm, the Mirboo North Swimming Pool is finally open again.
On February 13, 2024, Mirboo North’s storm plummeted trees around the local pool, leaving the waters murky, and damaging fences and other pool amenities.
The Friends of the Mirboo North Swimming Pool Inc. (MNSP) Secretary, Mary Baker, told the Express: “After the storm, my oldest son said that he would go down and clean it up and thought they should be right for the following Thursday.
“When he came home, unsure how much time had lapsed, he showed me a video. I just couldn’t believe the damage after such a very short time. The trees, the shade sails, the blankets were just horrendous. We have spent 20-plus years trying to rebuild this pool, and in 60 seconds, we were at square one”.
Over the years, the MNSP has had a wealth of community support.
In 2011, the South Gippsland Shire Council held a meeting at the Mirboo North Hall to discuss the possible closure of the pool, but locals were quick to voice their disapproval.
“They put out about 27 chairs, and one of my friends said that they were going to need more chairs than that for this meeting,” MNSP committee member, Carmel Quirk said.
“It wasn’t 27 people. It was more like 600 people. They were inundated. People brought their own chairs.
“They couldn’t close the pool after the public’s support, and we just had to change their thinking to the fact that this pool is more than just a pool,” Ms Baker added.
After the decision to keep the pool open, the Mirboo North community raised money to improve its facilities.
Fundraising efforts included engaging the primary school with a five-cent challenge to pool mascot Riley, as well as online help.
The once natural spring had been transformed into a lap pool, an all-abilities pool, a barbecue hotspot, and a venue for events until the storm.
“We had only been open for two seasons before the storm,” Ms Baker said.
“Looking through the trees now, you can see all the houses. A lot of the trees broke the cyclone fence, which has all been replaced.”
A movie night is planned at the pool (featuring Sonic 3) for Friday, January 31. There will also be a wooden carving to represent the town and recent events.
A festival is also scheduled to be held on February 15 next month, commemorating one year since the storm.
The ‘Storm Proof Soiree’ will feature games, activities, and a free barbecue from 4.30pm.
