Overview
Provided by David Roden, 2010:
This memorial swimming pool complex comprises a 33 metre pool and smaller toddlers pool, together with change rooms and a small canteen. It is located at the southern end of Laurieton beside the Camden Haven Inlet. It was opened on 20 March 1970.
History
Researched and provided by Dale Allen and Mike Dodkin of Camden Haven Historical Society, 2020:
Early swimming pools
Laurieton is a town rich in history when it comes to its public pools. One of the earliest pools was built at North Haven in the 1930s, by brothers Albert and Alf Ostler with the assistance of the Eames boys. The pool was built with voluntary labour from Ti Tree poles and timber from the Queens Lake area.
A second pool was built at Laurieton near the present Dunbogan Bridge, which is shown in images 8 and 9 above. Image 9 was taken in 1929 and shows Norma and Reg French wading in the waters.
A private pool was also built in Dunbogan in the 1930s by Mrs Jamieson, who ran the local Dunbogan store. Located within the Dunbogan Reserve, previously known as Jubliee Park, this pool is still operating in 2019 for all to enjoy.
Plans for a memorial pool take shape
In the 1950s, fundraising for the memorial pool was led by locals Roy and Rose Deas. In 1954, donations were collected for the concrete piers at 5 shillings a pier, with another 1 shilling required if the donor wanted their name inscribed on a pier. Overall, collection activities raised enough for a 30 metre pool, with provision for expansion in the future. Funding was also acquired through the state government and local council. Refer to 'Additional information' below for a breakdown of contributions.
The land for the baths was acquired from land owned by the Country Women's Association (CWA), with the purchase of additional land from the adjacent road reserve.
The grand opening
After considerable lobbying and fundraising by the people of Laurieton, the current Laurieton War Memorial Baths were completed by March 1970. Image 10 above captures the finished pools from the air, which provided safe swimming for approximately 1,700 people.
The official opening was conducted by the Hon. W Davis Hughes, Minister for Public Works, on the afternoon of Friday, 20 March 1970. When officiating at the ceremony, the Minister described the completion of the baths as the culmination of some 23 years of intensive local effort. He offered an additional $1,000 to assist with the ongoing beautification of the pool surrounds and adjacent reserve.
The opening was reported in the Hastings Shire Gazette on 25 March, in an article titled 'Swimming baths open—Milestone in Laurieton's history'. The article quotes the Minister as saying:
This fine pool, in which the whole of the area has an interest, commemorates those who laid down their lives in the service of their country. Lasting pleasure, freedom and health - built on these ideals, the Laurieton War Memorial Baths form a most fitting tribute to those who have served and died.
Image 11 above was also published in the Gazette. It shows guests in the foreground, with recently appointed pool manager Mr Cains standing to the left behind them. In the background are the main pool and the marquee that was especially erected to serve afternoon tea. Torrential rain interrupted the proceedings, but failed to dampen the celebrations.
A memorial and community hub
As a war memorial, the Laurieton baths commemorate those who served and died in the Second World War. This service is honoured by the 'Remembrance Torch' in the foyer of the entrance building, which hangs above two plaques detailing the opening of the pool (images 6 and 7 above).
The pools and their amenities remain in regular use by the local community. The complex has also become a focal point for the future development of Laurieton as a popular tourist destination.
Additional information
Over the life of the project, financing for the baths was a complex exercise. The estimated cost was $83,000, and the following amounts were contributed:
State government subsidy $20,000
Laurieton War Memorial Baths Committee $12,000
Council loan raised $42,000
Council own resources $9,000
The rules for the committee are shown in image 12 above.