Celebrating 50 Splashing Years
Of great interest were the images from the past in the booklet, causing many to try and remember who was who. [djp 7 Dec. 2007]
More than 100 people gathered at Violet Town's Community Hall to celebrate the swimming pool's 50 years.
The excellent celebratory dinner, held fifty years and one day after the official opening of the Violet Town swimming pool in 1957, was organised by the 'Friends of the Pool' and was an occasion of re-newing old friendships, reliving experiences and in particular studying the photographic images recording the construction of the pool.
Deputy Mayor Robyn Machin with assistance from Allan (Kirby) Aldridge, launched the booklet as an excellent record of the construction of the pool. [djp 7 Dec. 2007]
A well researched and documented booklet, written by Violet Town historian Robin Landvogt, was well received and reviewed during the evening. Deputy Mayor Robyn Machin with assistance from Allan (Kirby) Aldridge, launched the booklet as an excellent record of the construction of the pool and the activities that have occurred in and around it over the years since.
The building of the pool was a community effort and many, many people were involved.
50 years on, many of the people who drove the project are no longer with us but we admire their commitment and hard work and the great legacy they have left for local families and visitors to Violet Town.
It was the first pool in the district and many people, from as far away as Shepparton, Euroa and Benalla, used the pool. Bus loads of school children from these centres thronged to the pool because of its modern facilities.
The Violet Town Friends of the Pool, an informal sub committee of the Violet Town Action Group (VTAG), have been responsible for the organisation of this weekend. "We thank the Shire of Strathbogie for funding through their Community Events Program and a grant from the Country Women’s Association Drought Funding which has made this celebration possible."
An excellent three course meal was provided by this team of caterers and assistants. [djp 7 Dec. 2007]
"We also thank the many community members who have helped with the research for this history of the building of the pool, telling their stories, re-living memories and finding photographs and newspaper articles. Although we have talked to many people to compile this booklet we acknowledge that this is not a complete record."
"We acknowledge the foresight of the Shire of Violet Town in the 1950s and especially the Shire Secretary, Dick Hammett and Shire Engineer, Ray Bramham and the commitment of the local community to build so much of the pool with voluntary labour."
There were many photographs taken during the evening and these (on a CD) as well as the booklet can be obtained, for a small charge, by contacting The Violet Town Friends of the Pool.
For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858