Respect needed in pool naming

The move comes after Great Hume Shire Council pursued the direction of dropping the name "memorial” from the Holbrook and Henty pools. 

The Eastern Riverina Chronicle has obtained a copy of the letter and understands the author is from Culcairn. 

“As we live in a free democratic society, thanks to the sacrifice of those whom the pools were built to remember, they can only do this if we as a community agree,” the letter states. 

“I for one was unaware that the motion to change the pool names was even being considered, even though some would say it’s a small change it says a lot about us as a community and the respect we have for those who served and those who gave their lives for this country.” 

“A memorial pool is not just remembering those who died or were affected by one particular war but all wars, and it’s meant as a reminder for us all of how lucky we are to live in peace,” the writer states. 

Henty resident Mick Broughan has seen the letter and supports its sentiments. “I am a traditionalist so I certainly believe the word memorial should be there and remain there,” he told the Eastern Riverina Chronicle. 

”I will ask councillors if they want to be remembered,” he said.

Mr Broughan said he too will be writing to the Greater Hume Shire Council about the issue. 

“This is something that is part of our history and it needs to be kept,” he said. 

Mr Broughan said he was supportive of Greater Hume Shire Councillor Doug Meyer who spoke out at the meeting against the removal of the word ‘memorial.’ 

“It is my feeling that by far the majority (of people) would want that wording retained,” he said. 

Cr Meyer said he had seen the letter and agreed it would certainly prompt people in the community to take action. 

“I hope people respond,” he said. The move followed 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 told The Border Mail.