Happy 20th Birthday Jigalong Pool
Royal Life Saving WA’s Remote Aboriginal Swimming Pool program has been making a difference in Aboriginal communities across WA for more than two decades. One of the earliest pools to be completed was in the Pilbara community of Jigalong.
Last weekend the Jigalong pool celebrated its 20th anniversary, with a very well attended and successful pool party! Special guests included Jigalong CEO, Nick Brightman and his wife Gail, and Jigalong Chairman of the Board Margie Samson.
There was huge turnout, with more than 150 people enjoying the fun on the day. The celebrations started with speeches from Pool Manager Ray Martin, who gave some background on the initial
building of the pool, and Royal Life Saving WA involvement in the pool’s continued operation. Nick & Margie then spoke about the pool’s history and the community’s involvement, before cutting the amazing swimming pool cake.
Party food was the theme with pies, sausage rolls, cupcakes, jelly, fruit and icy poles and fairy bread, which was made by local future stars Mikayla, Olivia and Ophelia. There was plenty of fun and games in and around the pool which included colouring in, chalk drawing, pass the parcel, bubbles and ball games. Unfortunately, the afternoon was cut a little short when a huge dust storm blew through followed by a downpour of rain and strong winds.
Pool Manager Deb Gill did an amazing job organising the event, baking the cake and cupcakes, arranging decorations, balloons and volunteers for the day. The local volunteers included Viv from the Jigalong Shop, Chantelle from Jigalong School, Barb and Carolyn from Jigalong Clinic, Megan & Yahya from Jigalong Police and Kylie from Child Protection. A big thank you also to Yandeyarra Pool Manager Sandy McKenzie who travelled to Jigalong to help out!
We congratulate the team at Jigalong Pool for the amazing work done there over the past 20 years, and thank the Department of Communities and Principal Community Partner BHP who provide funding to make this important program possible.
