Busy season for Burringurrah pool

The Burringurrah Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool has seen a flurry of activity lately, with Pool Manager Jamie O’Donohue arranging and hosting several events and activities for the local community.

Burringurrah, a remote Aboriginal community in the Upper Gascoyne region of WA, around 480km east of Carnarvon, is home to less than 200 people. The town is also home to a pool that is part of the Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pools Project (RASPP) supported by the Department of Communities and Principal Community Partner BHP and managed by Royal Life Saving WA.

Recently, the Burringurrah locals enjoyed a movie night held at the pool, getting together to enjoy some family friendly viewing on the facility’s projector screen. The kids all had a great time at this special event and loved watching a Wallace and Gromit favourite.

The pool also played host to an award ceremony and community barbecue in honour of Brevet Senior Sergeant Sheryl Jackamarra, Officer-in-Charge at the Burringurrah Multi-Functional Police Facility, who was presented with the Mid West Gascoyne NAIDOC policing award for community engagement. 

Jamie said, “Sheryl enquired about having the ceremony/BBQ at the pool as it is a nice environment, central to everyone and gave the kids a chance for an earlier swim.” Around 50 people attended the event, enjoying a swim and a game of water polo that Sheryl took part in…still fully dressed in her police uniform!

Several of the Burringurrah children also participated in a Go For 2&5 Swim for Fruit challenge, completing laps of the pool to earn a healthy afternoon treat. When they’re not competing in challenges the kids love to just muck around in the pool and on the pool inflatables!

Jamie also recently helped Joshua Welsh, a teacher’s aide at the Burringurrah Remote Community School, to complete his Bronze Medallion requalification at the pool. Josh was moving back to Perth and wanted to renew his qualifications before leaving.

The Burringurrah pool is more than just a place to swim; it provides a central hub for the local residents, families and children to gather in a safe place and enjoy community events and fun activities.

Learn more about the many benefits of the RASPP at the link below.