General News
10 November, 2025
SUMMER SPLASH: Bank's backing of pools
THREE Loddon swimming pools will host free learn-to-swim classes this summer after a boost in sponsorship from the region’s only bank.
By CHRIS EARL
Inglewood and District Community Bank will fund the classes at Inglewood, Wedderburn and Mitiamo.
The bank will also extend its sponsorship of half-price season tickets at the three pools to a second year when the season opens this month.
“We want people to use our pools,” said bank board member Stewart Luckman.
“There had been a decline driven by financial considerations. But by making pool entry costs more accessible, there was an 18 per cent increase in patronage last season.
“That has shown people want to use our pools and we hope this expanded sponsorship will give families cost of living pressure relief and at the same time, help youngsters gain the important life skills of being able to swim and swim safely.”
Mr Luckman said the community bank board had fully backed proposals to extend the half-price season ticket proposal.
“We all saw the success of pool patronage last summer - the way our support helped our communities financially and socially - and also saw the opportunity to further support young people with free VicSwim lessons,” Mr Luckman said.
““We’re pleased to continue and expand that support and partner with Loddon Shire again this summer.”
This four-week VicSwim program is designed for children aged between five and 12.
Mr Luckman said the initiatives were part of the bank’s ethos “of using our share of the profit, made from those who bank with us, to benefit the community as a whole.”
Mayor Dan Straub said council thanked the community bank for its support in helping make this summer’s pool season happen.
“Our pools are highly valued by our communities and we really appreciated the bank’s support for these initiatives,” he said.
“The learn to swim program will teach Loddon children how to swim, a valuable skill for life.
“It was great to see the increase in pool numbers last season and I look forward to those numbers continuing to grow.”
Inglewood, Wedderburn and Mitiamo pools are in the community bank’s service area.
A shire spokesman said council was continuing to explore opportunities to provide similar initiatives for Boort and Pyramid Hill.
“At this stage we do not have anything we are able to announce,” the spokesperson said.
Read More: Inglewood, Mitiamo, Wedderburn