COMMUNITY DETERMINATION SECURES $15 MILLION FOR WINGHAM POOL

Federal Member for Lyne Alison Penfold has congratulated the Wingham community following today’s announcement of $15 million in joint State and Federal Government funding to rebuild Wingham Memorial Swimming Pool.

“This is an incredible result and, above all, it belongs to the Wingham community,” Ms Penfold said.

“For 16 months, the people of Wingham have refused to accept that their pool should be lost because of a natural disaster.

“They signed petitions, attended meetings, wrote letters, made phone calls and kept speaking up. Almost 3,800 people signed the community petition calling for the pool to be rebuilt.

“That determination has delivered today’s announcement.”

Wingham Memorial Pool opened in 1969 after being built through the efforts of the local community. For generations, it has been where children learnt to swim, schools held their carnivals, the Wingham Swimming Club trained and families spent their summers.

In its final season, the pool recorded almost 16,000 visits, including more than 3,400 school visits and almost 900 learn-to-swim attendances.

The pool was extensively damaged during the devastating May 2025 flood and has remained closed ever since.

“This pool is about much more than swimming,” Ms Penfold said.

“It is part of Wingham’s history and community life. It is where generations of Manning children, including me, swam at school carnivals. It is also a place for exercise, friendship and connection.

“Today’s commitment means Wingham can move forward and begin the work of bringing its much-loved pool back.”

Ms Penfold paid tribute to the local people who led the campaign.

“I particularly acknowledge the late Ron Spriggs, whose determination and love for Wingham helped drive the campaign for a new pool,” Ms Penfold said.

“Ron would have been enormously proud of what the community has achieved today.

“I thank Jodi Carey and everyone involved with the Friends of Wingham Pool, the Wingham Swimming Club, the thousands of petitioners and every resident who refused to let this issue be forgotten.

“I also thank Mayor Claire Pontin, MidCoast Council and council staff for working with the community, assessing the damage and building the case for the pool’s replacement.”

Ms Penfold thanked State Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson for her strong advocacy in the NSW Parliament.

“Tanya has been a determined advocate for Wingham throughout the long recovery from the May 2025 flood,” Ms Penfold said.

“We worked together with Mayor Pontin, MidCoast Council and the community because we all shared the same goal: securing the funding needed to give Wingham its pool back.

Ms Penfold thanked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain for listening to the community and supporting the funding commitment.

“While we may not always agree on policy, today is a very good example of members of Parliament working across political lines and across different levels of government to support a community in need,” Ms Penfold said.

“This week, I stood in the Federal Parliament and called on the Prime Minister and the NSW Premier to come together and find the $15 million needed to rebuild Wingham Pool. Today, I also met with the Prime Minister to advocate for the funding and that call has been answered.

“Recovery from a natural disaster cannot be limited to repairing roads and bridges. It must also restore the places that hold communities together and give people hope.

“This is the Wingham community’s victory. Wingham is getting its pool back.”