AN article printed in The Spectator on January 4, has prompted more phone calls to journalists and further speculation and complaints on Facebook regarding the reason for the limited number of hours swimming pools within the Southern Grampians Shire have been open.
A Facebook post by the Southern Grampians Shire Outdoor Pools on December 27, 2022, which stated the reason the Glenthompson Swimming Pool would be closed on that day, was purportedly due to “lifeguard unavailability”, was disputed by several members of the public.
Prompted by the outpouring of commentary, the Southern Grampians Shire Outdoor Pools again responded on Facebook and said there were competing objectives that complicated management of six outdoor pools, including increased “running costs, ageing infrastructure, low patronage and staff shortages”.
However, this did little to assuage widespread community disappointment regarding opening hours and lack of amenity, especially at the Hamilton Olympic Swimming Pool.
The Spectator can confirm at least two young people had outlaid $500 for their required first aid and lifeguard training but had not been employed or granted adequate shifts to cover these costs.
On Tuesday January 3, a local, Lisa (Marie) McDonald, posted on Hamilton Victoria’s Community Group Facebook page congratulating community respondents for shedding light on the issue, and said the “squeaky hinge gets the oil”.
The post prompted 84 comments, with some expressing gratitude to lifeguards on staff at the pools, while others criticised the general appearance of Hamilton’s Olympic Swimming Pool, the long grass and lack of a facility to purchase refreshments.
One respondent said, “Merino has a fantastic swimming pool. Kiosk, great shaded areas with beautiful grass. People that run it are great. It’s only 30 mins away and worth the drive. Does Hamilton pool even have drinks, ice creams?”
“Just been to the outdoor pool with grandies (for VICSWIM) well done to those teaching these kids all the right things.
“Not very nice to be sitting there and seeing how much could be done to improve the surrounding grounds.
“Just a simple clean up (for) a start”
While another said “Come to Macarthur Pool (we do get lots from Hamilton). Open from 12.30pm, run by the community for our community. Lovely green well-kept lawns, shade, inflatables and water slide. Plus a great well stocked kiosk and cash or card payment”.
Mrs McDonald told The Spectator she started the discussion thread on Facebook because of her interest in the Hamilton Olympic Swimming Pool in particular, “from the standpoint of a local pool made by locals for locals”.
She said swimming pools were a “vital hub for our community – for all age groups – devices put aside to enjoy a day with family and friends being active”.
“I’m also aware that keeping the pool running with both infrastructure and staffing is complex and the Shire have been trying,” she said.
“I would like the community and the shire to work together.
“The Hamilton swim club is currently having to use Monivae’s pool as the outdoor pool is not open enough! Monivae’s pool is not 50 metres so the children are not getting the benefits needed.
“Our pool (Hamilton) brings families and friends together. It keeps young people active. It supports wellbeing: physically, socially and emotionally.
“Moving forward we also need to look at appropriate shade that is SPF rated so as to reduce chances of melanoma.”
Letter from SGSC chief executive, Tony Doyle
Dear Editor,
I write in response to the article featured in the Hamilton Spectator on Wednesday 4 January 2023 regarding Pool Resources Watered Down to clarify a few points regarding the operation of our pools.
Council has been and will continue to remain committed to ensuring our pools can operate and open as safely and as often as we physically can over the summer period. As a Council, we have been extremely transparent and vocal in addressing the issue of significant understaffing which has resulted in temporary changes to some of our pool operating hours. This issue is not isolated to the Southern Grampians and is being felt across the State. To keep all swimming pools open as per the regular outdoor pool operating policy, requires us to maintain approximately 63 lifeguards to which we currently have 34 with another seven still completing their induction process.
Lifeguards under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an experienced lifeguard (over 18) with all our staff and pools required to meet the Guidelines for Safer Pool Operations as released by Royal Lifesaving Australia. Lifeguards must undertake certified training which is delivered by Life Saving Victoria. These courses are not managed by Council and service the entire region (not just the Southern Grampians) and are scheduled when facilitators are available which in turn impacts the time it takes to get potential lifeguards fully trained. Once trained, Lifeguards must also undertake induction with Council and complete necessary site inductions at each pool/work location under the supervision of a qualified lifeguard. The scheduling of these induction sessions are dependent upon the budding lifeguard’s availability which we understand specifically for our younger cohort, is impacted by family holidays etc at this time of year but are a necessity in ensuring staff are comfortable and adequately trained for each site. We take the safety of all our pools, staff and importantly patrons seriously so staff must be trained and fully inducted before hitting the pool deck.
Specifically, for the dates in question of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, all pools but two were open with the exception being Penshurst and Glenthompson as no fully trained and of age lifeguards were available for those dates. 29 of the total 34 trained lifeguards (and seven needing to complete their induction process) had indicated they were unavailable for the New Year dates which impacted the ability to operate all locations. Lifeguards are also not able to work more than six days in a row therefore if a township has one lifeguard, the pool cannot remain open seven days a week. This is an industrial relation requirement and not something Council has control over.
We value the safety of our swimmers as well as the services we provide to residents young and old which includes all outdoor swimming pools.
Council has been putting out the call to our community to undertake lifeguard training since August last year, and I would like to use this opportunity to reiterate this now in preparation for next summer. Please get in touch with us if you are interested.
We greatly value community interest and feedback. If you would like more information or would like to raise an issue with these services, we encourage residents to contact us via our Customer Service Centre on 5573 0444, email at council@sthgrampians.vic.gov.au or via our report an issue form which is located on the Council website.