“Don’t be a fool. Don’t close the pool!” was a popular chant at a “Summer in July” event organised by Save Fawkner Outdoor Pool on July 3. Around 150 people took part, kitted up in their summer pool gear, despite the freezing temperature.
They are opposed to the Moreland City Council’s plans to either shut Fawkner’s outdoor pool or downgrade it to 25 metres.
Local historian and an activist with the Friends of Coburg Olympic Pool campaign Claire Wright spoke about the successful struggle in 2007-2008 to pressure the Moreland Council to re-open the Coburg Olympic Pool.
Vita Mezzatastis from the Save the Pascoe Vale Pool campaign spoke about the many communities who have had to fight attempts by local councils to close pools.
Former lifeguard and swimming teacher Darryl Croke told the crowd that most young people in the northern suburbs cannot swim to save themselves and that this has led to an increase in drownings. This is why we need outdoor public pools, he said.
[Sue Bolton is a socialist councillor at Moreland City Council.]