Community
3 June, 2026
Pool fundraising continues
THE Friends of Rodney Grove fundraising appeal for the recently closed indoor pool in Cobden is going strong, with approximately $28,000 of the needed $250,000 raised in the campaign.
The Friends of Rodney Grove committee was formed in an effort to support the continued opening and operation of the Rodney Grove Aquatic Centre in Cobden, which has been closed since December.
Up to $250,000 in maintenance costs are required to get the pool up and running again – which doesn’t include the over $100,000 in ongoing yearly operational costs.
Friends of Rodney Grove committee member Lesley Brown is confident the community will come together to raise the money required, with a recent donation coming from the Cobden Men’s Shed adding fuel to the tank.
“A couple of the members of the Men’s Shed are on the Friends of Rodney Grove committee, so they thought that they’d like to donate to the Friends of Rodney Grove appeal so that’s how that came about,” she said.
“It’s very rewarding, because it’s a hard thing to raise $250,000, so when they come forward like that and offer their support we really appreciate that.
“It’s humbling, because we took this on knowing it was going to be hard and not knowing how we would go, but there’s more and more community people supporting us, so it is very rewarding and makes us all feel like we can keep going and reach out to others.
“We’re going all out as best we can.”
The Cobden Men’s Shed made a $500 donation to a climbing $28,000 total, which has been getting bigger by the day.
Cobden Men’s Shed president Murray Ibbs said the club came to a consensus at a recent meeting they wanted to contribute to the cause.
“The Cobden Men’s Shed is a part of Cobdenhealth and one of our members brought it up at one of our meetings – we actually discussed it and decided to make a donation to a worthy project within the community,” he said.
“There’s two or three members that have been affected by the closure of the pool, they would attend regularly for swimming classes and that sort of thing.
“We do have a couple of the members of the shed who are on the Friends of Rodney Grove committee so we’ll keep updated and keep an eye on what’s going on.
“If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it – it is a very worthwhile cause, not only to the Cobden community, but to communities right around the Corangamite Shire and a bit further.
“It’s a very worthwhile project to support and if they can get people within the community to support it then I think it has a good chance of getting back up and running.”
Other ways the Friends of Rodney Grove committee is raising money is through community events, such as a mini golf and miniature trains day held on Sunday, May 31.
“Our mini golf and miniature trains fundraising day went really well, even though the weather had showers of rain, we had many community people support us,” Mrs Brown said.
“Rotary Cobden ran the mini golf and South West Model Engineers supported us as well by providing the train rides.
“I would expect we would have made about $600 from the day.
“There were two people, who were anonymous, who just gave us $50, just handed over $50 notes and said it was for the appeal.”
There is also an upcoming games night, which will run from 2pm-4pm on Sunday, June 28 at the Rodney Grove gymnasium.
“It will be a range of activities, such as Jenga, corn hole, Connect Four, some board games and Reverend Matthew Jones has got some fun things he’s working on so we have a fun day,” Mrs Brown said.
“Entry is a donation and afternoon tea is provided.
“The gym is allowing us to use their rooms without charge so it’s really great.”
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