Golden Square Pool Inc. is a group of 90 locals of all ages who successfully saved their 102-year-old swimming pool and turned it into a community hub. Since being saved in 2012, volunteers have transformed a once tired, under-used facility, into an inclusive, vibrant and empowering hub for Golden Square and Bendigo residents. 

Their goal is to build a happy and healthy community, and have welcomed over 105,000 patrons through the gate in just eight years. In saving the pool, they wanted to create more than just a place to swim. So, they have introduced innovative programs like accessible health and wellbeing classes and programs for all ages, live music events, a Community Garden, and a Junior Volunteer Team mentoring program. One initiative they also host is the SwimSafe Bendigo program where free swimming lessons are given to anyone who hasn't been able to access lessons before, especially for local refugees, migrants and multicultural adults.
An update since last October's awards: In July 2020 the pool again faced closure, however locals campaigned tirelessly by writing to councillors and media, placing blue ribbons on fences across the suburb, and holding a strong social media campaign. This was successful, and volunteers gained ongoing long-term certainty of operation. Volunteers are incredibly proud to have reached this milestone they have been working hard to achieve for eight years, and are now busy applying for funding and designing new programs for the future.

Golden Square Pool Inc. is a group of 90 locals of all ages who successfully saved their 102-year-old swimming pool and turned it into a community hub. Since being saved in 2012, volunteers have transformed a once tired, under-used facility, into an inclusive, vibrant and empowering hub for Golden Square and Bendigo residents.  Their goal is to build a happy and healthy community, and have welcomed over 105,000 patrons through the gate in just eight years. In saving the pool, they wanted to create more than just a place to swim. So, they have introduced innovative programs like accessible health and wellbeing classes and programs for all ages, live music events, a Community Garden, and a Junior Volunteer Team mentoring program. One initiative they also host is the SwimSafe Bendigo program where free swimming lessons are given to anyone who hasn't been able to access lessons before, especially for local refugees, migrants and multicultural adults.
An update since last October's awards: In July 2020 the pool again faced closure, however locals campaigned tirelessly by writing to councillors and media, placing blue ribbons on fences across the suburb, and holding a strong social media campaign. This was successful, and volunteers gained ongoing long-term certainty of operation. Volunteers are incredibly proud to have reached this milestone they have been working hard to achieve for eight years, and are now busy applying for funding and designing new programs for the future.

Join us as we chat with inspirational Australians making a real difference in their
communities, Australia and often the world.


Be inspired by ordinary Australians achieving extraordinary things!

Join us as we chat with inspirational Australians making a real difference in their communities, Australia and often the world.
 Be inspired by ordinary Australians achieving extraordinary things!

Inspirational.Australians by Awards Australia Podcast

In this week’s episode, Geoff is talking to to Sam who was a Winner in the 2019 Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards.

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