We recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 'Save the Pool' campaign at Fitzroy Swimming Pool.

Back in October 1994, the Fitzroy Swimming Pool faced an uncertain future when it was tackling with plans to close and demolish the facility.  

However, the local community had other ideas and the Fitzroy 'Save Our Pool' Group was quickly formed to convince council they had made the wrong decision.

The group's members occupied the pool for six weeks, supported by local traders, schools, service clubs and trade unions. They were joined by thousands of local residents and pool users who turned out to meetings at the Brunswick Street oval, demonstrating along Brunswick Street and joined mass sit-ins at the empty pool until the decision was reversed and the pool was saved.

The hard work continued as the 'Save Our Pool' Group coordinated a large crew of volunteers who pitched in to get the pool into shape for summer. It was opened just in time for Santa to make his annual pre-Christmas visit.

That was 25 years ago and to mark the occasion, Yarra Leisure held a special day on Saturday 14 December to commemorate the historic campaign which led the way for many communities around Australia to take action to protect their local pools and other council facilities.

"We really appreciated Yarra Leisure holding this special event at the pool to celebrate its history," said Dave Lane, one of the Fitzroy Save Our Pool Group's founding members.

"The Fitzroy Pool is now 111 years old but has never looked better thanks to the dedicated staff and support of the Council. It's the ideal place to cool off from the summer heat and enjoy yourself at any time of the year."