Opening day: By mid-afternoon on Saturday the Kyabram outdoor pool, manned by lifesaver Pippa Grabham, had seen more than 50 children already rush through the gates. Similar numbers were reported from Tongala and Stanhope pools, in a spectacular start to the free pool season offered by the Campaspe Shire at all seven of its outdoor pools.
A $1500 commitment to have three Stanhope teenagers trained as lifesavers will be reimbursed to the town’s development group and pool committee by the Campaspe Shire.
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Frustrating staff shortages, and associated pool closures, in the 2021-22 season led to the groups making the decision to pay $500 apiece for three Stanhope students to be trained as poolside attendants.
The committee has also taken back control of the pool canteen and was there in force on day one to operate what is obviously an important asset to the town.
There was consistent foot traffic through the gates on the first day of the free Campaspe Shire pool season, which applies to all seven outdoor pools — although Rochester is not operational due to flood damage.
Stanhope’s pool committee paid for two students to undergo the lifesaver training and the development committee the other.
After that decision the council announced it would be recruiting lifesavers and paying for their training, if they ended up being employed by the shire, to man the pools during the free 2022-23 summer.
All three of the Stanhope students are now employed by the Campaspe Shire and the $1500 outlay of the groups will be reimbursed.
Grace Poole, who is now at university, will man the pool this summer with siblings Eric and Paige Billing.
All three teenagers are new to lifesaving and the pool committee is hopeful their presence will eliminate any unplanned closures of the pool.
"We would really like to eliminate unplanned closures,“ development committee member Glenda Cowie said.
They are hopeful that the shire will allow ‘’their’’ lifesavers to give priority to their Stanhope pool shifts, although they can be called on to do shifts elsewhere.
This year’s swim season started two weeks later and will finish two weeks earlier, but pools will be open later — until 8pm — and will open whenever the forecast is for weather above 25℃.
On deck: Grace Poole at the Stanhope pool on Saturday for the first day of the free swim season for Campaspe Shire outdoor pools. She is one of three Stanhope teenagers new to the shire’s lifesaving team.
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