Local People By The People, For The People
EXTRA LOCAL NEWS SECTION
Phone: 5797 2656 or 1800 231 311.
FREE
www.LocalPaper.com.au
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2021
ALEXANDRA INDOOR HEATED POOL OPENS
● Tiffinie Reeves presents flowers to Sam Hicks.
● Shire CEO Livia Bonazzi with Cr Damien Gallagher.
● The moment: junior and senior volunteers cut the rope to declare the Alexandra Indoor Heated Pool open.
● Tiffinie Reeves and Jacquie Caswell.
● Marg Rouse leading a tour through the Indoor Pool.
Local News Years of effort
■ Alexandra Indoor Heated Pool in Nihil St was officially opened on Saturday (Nov. 13) in the presence of Cr Damien Gallagher and Murrindindi Shire CEO Livia Bonazzi. AIHP President Sam Hicks spoke of the years of effort by a dedicated team to bring the Pool facility to reality. Ms Hicks acknowledged the Taungurung people, traditional custodians of the land. Ms Hicks made mention of Naomi McNamara and Emily Walters of the Menzies Centre; Greta Vallance of Murrindindi U3A, and Ash Long of The Local Paper. Members of the AIHP team were acknowledged: Vice-President Jason Krijt (apology); Tiffinie Reeves – Secretary/ Treasurer; Jacqui Caswell, Marg Rouse, Rod Falconer (apology) and Linda Watkins (in Queensland). Special mention was made of coordinator Magenta Connolly. Apologies were received from Murrindindi Mayor Cr Sandice McAulay, and Eildon MLA Cindy McLeish. “I would love to take this opportunity to acknowledge the amazing work that you and the volunteer group have done - firstly, getting the support of the community to gain funding in the first place and, secondly, to completing this project despite the challenges that the universe has thrown at you, including but not limited to COVID 19 restrictions. in short - a heartfelt congratulations and thank you for this great community development activity,” said a special message from Cr McAulay. Ms Hicks acknowledged funders: State Government of Victoria via the Pick My Project; FRRR - The Foundation for Rural andRegional Renewal who supported the original porposal, and then further for the aquatic wheelchair. Both Funding Partners were unable to attend to as many in the original program have moved on. Karly Smith Whelan - Grants Program Manager (Victoria) , FRRR, sent a congratulatory message. Ms Hicks offered thanks support from many departments within Murrindindi Shire Council, with a willingness to share knowledge on the way forward. Tiffinie Reeves was thanked for financial modelling and budgets, to Jason’s liaison with the trades and builders, to Jaq keeping of the minutes and sharing insights on how disabilities interact with pools, Marg’s social media sharing skills, to Rod - a jack of all trades. “Behind our team are our kids, spouses, and partners who we acknowledge as they are often asked to assist in all sorts of areas. Saying no to a team so driven wasn’t really an option just ask any other halves that are here today such as Bernhard, Phil, Scotty, and Alan. “We need to also to acknowledge past team members; Mel Heard, Michelle Cowley and Meg Dunn. “Finally, we need to say thanks to our local trades, our local community, many who assisted after hours, in many cases donating their time, expertise and or just getting in and getting a job done. “So many with their ideas and assisting us to save money where we could such as larger suppliers such Charon from Solar Solutions was just one of many trades and suppliers who got in there to help. We also had many anonymous supporters who donated funds to assist us with those extras along the way,” Ms Hicks said.