The Orbost Outdoor Pool has won the Facility Management Award – Seasonal at the 2019 Aquatics and Recreation Victoria Awards.
The 50-metre solar heated pool, an East Gippsland Shire Council facility, is open from December to April each year.
The pool team won the award partly for their effort to support farmers during the drought by donating pool water for stock watering in October last year.
Centre coordinator, Kelly Smart, said the opportunity arose because the pool was being repainted.
“We needed to empty the pool and a staff member asked whether the water could be given to farmers. Water tests confirmed the water was suitable for stock watering,” Ms Smart said.
“It was a great effort by the Orbost community to work together on this project. Pool staff coordinated the volunteers and the Orbost SES Unit donated its water pumps. Two local water carters donated their trucks and time to deliver the water.”
The water was pumped into the trucks from the pool using SES equipment, pumping about 10,000 litres every 15 minutes. Trucks were completing their loads in about a 1-1.5 hour round trip.
In the end, two million litres of water was donated to five farmers in the Orbost area.
“The Orbost Outdoor Pool supports swimming clubs, learn to swim lessons, health and wellbeing programs and is a social hub for the community. Council was pleased, with the help of others, to be able to support farmers with this unique donation,” Ms Smart said.
“This award is recognition of the commitment we have to providing a great facility to the community and helping where we can.”
PICTURED: East Gippsland Shire Council’s Orbost Outdoor Pool team members, Kelly Smart and Mandy Clarke, with deputy mayor, Cr John White (centre), and the team’s facility management award.
