6 minute read
Poolside in Alexandra
Local women enjoying their first splash during self-paced exercise sessions. Popular classes are learn to swim for babies through to adults, water therapy and fun and fitness classes.
By Sam Hicks, Group President
Advertisement
The vision of local learn-to-swim teacher, Linda Watkins, was to have an indoor heated pool in Alexandra. Linda had taught locally at seasonal pools and at Mansfield where she built up a large clientele. At a meeting at CEACA (now known as Alexandra Community Hub) in 2014, around 80 parents squeezed into the old courthouse to discuss a new pool. I offered to lead the meeting on the condition that a huge aquatic centre worth millions was off the table, and explained that projects of that size are challenging to fund, even harder to maintain and unfeasible long term. It was best to begin small and grow with the community. The idea was welcomed and a small team was assembled including myself, Linda Watkins, Michelle Crowley, Renee Pearson, Mel Heard, Jacqui Caswell, Jason Krijt and Tiffinie Reeves. Public meetings were held at CEACA as the idea was developed. Linda and I met with Sandy Keath at Murrindindi Shire Council and spoke about the idea and what grants may be available. The group needed a business case, an actual drawn plan, and a strategy to make it a reality. After that meeting, I had a brain wave to put in a pool in a shop. Linda and I walked all over Alexandra looking at empty shops. Once the team met regularly the idea was further developed as a pop-up pool, needing a venue and a requirement to gauge community interest. I began to socialise the group’s idea, presenting to as many community groups as possible and hosting many community meetings. In 2015 it was decided on an above ground mineral salted pool offering learn-to-swim classes for children of all ages, all abilities access and water therapy style classes. The group regretfully farewelled Michelle and Renee early in 2015 after they completed their reconciliation tasks, Linda relocated to Queensland in about 2019 to teach in larger pools and Mel moved interstate. The team in the meantime welcomed Meg and Rod (Linda’s stand in) and later Marg. Tiffinie worked on budgets and extensive modelling to allow the team to see how they could operate under an incorporated body structure based on a business model. A venue was chosen with the landlord kindly holding the property for us whilst we sourced funding for the project. The team met weekly to work on quotes, securing support letters and promises of assistance. Tiffinie began the huge task of populating a project plan and attended a project management course in Taggerty. Pick my Project (PMP) was a Victorian State Government community nominated funding opportunity announced in 2018. It was a participatory budgeting community grant that presented a huge opportunity. Tiffinie attended the PMP workshops, the group drafted the application and local draftsperson Angelo Greco drew up the plans. The project was submitted in July with the voting commencing from August. The Pop-up Pool Project, securing the
All access chair hoist which allows anyone to be gently taken from the deck in a seated position and placed in the water. most votes, was one of nine successful projects announced in the Goulburn region with the group also securing a FRRR GRoW Grant to kick start the project commencing in March 2019 with an obligation to be finished in March 2020. Jason was our site manager and led the preparation prior to the builders, Stace and Newman, commencing in March. The group worked with over 30 local suppliers and businesses to ensure the components of site preparation, solar, pool and equipment, deck and teaching aids came together. Many volunteer hours were spent on site. We have had many local families, businesses, local community groups and supporters donate funds, lend equipment and donate volunteer time to get the project stages completed, this on top of the group working around their own families, study and work. Everything came to a standstill in March 2020. The group continued behind the scenes, restrictions permitting, and in September 2021 the building permits were finally signed off. The pool is now open, with coordinator Magenta Connolly offering learn-toswim classes, gentle exercise and, hopefully, aerobics in 2022. Visit alexindoorheatedpool.org.au for prices and programs or phone Magenta on 0472 537 650.
WELCOME TO THE GLAMM CLUB Beauty Services and Boutique Shopping
• MASSAGE • DIP NAILS • MANICURE & PEDICURE • WAXING • EYELASH EXTENSIONS • FACIALS • HENNA • BROW SPECIALIST • SPRAY TAN
BRINGING MENS WOMENS AND KIDS FASHION TO ALEXANDRA
• SILENT THEORY • JORGE • REFUGE • HER FOX THE LABEL • MINIMALIST COLLECTIVE • BE KIND • NAOMI AND CO • SANCTUM • CARO THE LABEL • WHITE SANDSTORM • WNNDR • LUCYJEAN CLOTHING • HOLSTER AND JUST BEE SHOES
CANDLES & HOME DECOR
Handmade Soy Candles Reed Diffusers Wax Melts • Bath Salts
waxyaromacandles.mybigcommerce.com 78 Grant Street Alexandra OPPOSITE BUXTON HOTEL 10am-4pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays Rose Flarherty
Licenced Secondhand Dealer 0429 534 040
marysvilleantiques@icloud.com
Health Solutions for EveryBody
Shop1 / 10 High Street Yea Phone Louisa for an appointment 0407 437 866
FACE & BODY TREATMENTS
• Men’s & Women’s Waxing • IPL Hair Removal & Skin Rejuvenation • Visible LED Face Light Treatments • Paramedical Facials • Facial & Body Massage • Body Boost Therapy Health Bed • Eyebrow & Eyelash Treatments • Nail Treatment • Body Piercing
• gift ware • toys • hardware • kitchenware • pet supplies • party supplies • helium balloons
82-84 Grant Street Alexandra Ph 03 5772 1025 Fax 03 5772 2686
• FLOWERS • GIFTWARE • SWEET TREATS
Angelique Johnson 95 Grant Street, Alexandra P: 0430 580 264 IG: Fullbloom2020 FB: Angelique Johnson - Full Bloom E: fullbloom1@outlook.com
86 Grant Street Alexandra P: 5772 1254 E: sales@alexandraapparel.com.au
• Surf wear • School wear • Work wear • Mens wear • Leisure wear • Luggage • Backpacks • Accessories • Sunglasses things to make things
• knitting, sewing and craft supplies • handmade toys • children’s clothes
Lit & Beyond 18 Murchison Street Marysville 3779 Ph: 0422239754 www.lit.com.au Facebook - Lit & beyond
This beautiful ladies’ boutique store has a unique range of ladies’ clothing, fashion accessories, books, bags, jewellery, homewares, LIT CANDLES and LIT WAX BEADS with 26 different colours and fragrances Step into Lit & Beyond to find yourself that special something or a gift for someone special Our Christmas Decoration Display is now on
Possum/merino knitwear and wool lines, bags, oil skin coats, hats, games and toys 24 Murchison St, Marysville 3779 Phone (03) 5963 3753 www.countrytouch.com.au www.possumshop.com
