Greater Hume councillors on Wednesday night voted to drop the word ‘memorial’ from the title of each town’s aquatic complex.

The move follows major upgrades of the pools with the council’s environment and planning director Colin Kane stating war links had been removed.

“As the existing infrastructure at both pools has been demolished it is suggested that retaining the word ‘memorial’ in the name of the pools may not be necessary or appropriate,” Mr Kane advised.

“Accordingly the pools should be referred to as the Holbrook Swimming Pool and the Henty Swimming Pool.”

Henty councillor Doug Meyer protested, saying he was “a little concerned we’re chucking history away”.

“The original pool, some 60 years ago, was bought and built by the community and not by council,” Cr Meyer said.

“I don’t believe council have the right to strike away the name.”

Both pools were built after World War II with community funds and dedicated to service personnel.

“The thing in your favour is that most people who contributed that money are no longer with us,” Cr Meyer said.

Despite the name change there will be plaques at both pools noting their previous ‘memorial’ titles.

Meanwhile, Cr Meyer last night lost the deputy mayor’s job after a 4-all voting deadlock with Matt Hicks.

Cr Hicks, who was first elected to council last year, had his name drawn from a toy box by general manager Steve Pinnuck.