A new season begins at Yandeyarra
Royal Life Saving Society WA’s Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools are getting up and running for the new season, and one of the first to open was the pool at Yandeyarra, a remote Aboriginal community located in the Pilbara region, 130km south of Port Hedland.
Yandeyarra Remote Community Pool had been open for less than a week when it already hosted its first community event, a birthday party for a local boy Elijah who was turning 4. Pool Manager Jacqui Forbes says “at Yande there is very little grass or outdoor areas so when its suitable the pool venue is ideal! The community are very respectful too, bringing in their own food and cleaning up well after so it’s a win win!”
The pool was a relatively cold 23 degrees on the day, and a late Sunday afternoon Pilbara breeze blew in, but that could not stop Elijah’s relatives and friends who cranked up the bbq, brought in the home made salads and lit the candles on the cake for the occasion.
The big purchases for the pool this season, with funding from Healthway, are a new mini basketball hoop for the toddler’s pool and a Bluetooth boom box. These have created an event better environment, encouraging the local community to not only attend the pool but use it for local events.
Elijah's birthday party is just one example of the many events and activities - including the Community Christmas Party - that the pool will host during this season and Ms Forbes is looking forward to the fun times ahead.
“It’s a safe family friendly environment where everyone can be involved; sitting on the grass or under the trees, watching the kids enjoy themselves, playing pool basketball or wading in the toddlers pool. It all just works! One of the highlights for me is having the community elders come down and share these moments. You really get to see the community spirit at its best.”
The pool has also already been used this season as a meeting location for the Port Hedland Councillors, essential services, Yandeyarra community board and community residents, with all who attended very impressed that the pool was already open, as no other Port Hedland regional pools had yet opened their doors for the season!
You can read more about our Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool Project, supported by the Housing Authority and Principal Community Partner BHP Billiton, at the link below.
