Yeppoon aquatic centre may be named after local legend Brian Dorey

A petition from Keppel MP Nigel Hutton to name the new $13m Yeppoon aquatic centre after late community champion Brian Dorey attracts strong support from community and councillors.

An artist’s impression of the new $13m 50m swimming pool and other facility upgrades for the Yeppoon aquatic centre situated at Cooee Bay. It is currently under construction.

A petition from Keppel MP Nigel Hutton to name the new $13m Yeppoon aquatic centre after late community champion Brian Dorey has attracted strong support from the community and Livingstone Shire councillors.

His petition for the Brian Dorey Aquatic Centre gathered 220 signatures and was received with enthusiasm at Tuesday’s council meeting and there was even a move to put it to the vote immediately.

Cr Andrea Friend said she believed delaying a decision on the name any further was akin to “pussy footing around” on an issue which clearly had strong community backing.

Ken Landsberg presenting Brian Dorey with a gift for his long service to Yeppoon and District Show

“Why not put it to the vote? she said.

“I think this would be a wonderful legacy of a man who was also known as Mr Livingstone. If it falls over it’s not wiped out as it still goes to community consultation and we can vote on it again at another time.”

Mayor Adam Belot said he respected that opinion, which was shared by several other councillors, but he was not comfortable about going to the vote as the petition hadn’t been completed to council regulations.

Photo shows demolition of the former Cooee Bay pool complex making way for the new $13m 50m swimming Yeppoon aquatic centre.

He also noted that while the petition had more than 200 signatures there were more than 40,000 people in the shire.

“If you feel you are at a point where you don't need to see due diligence ticked off, I’m not here to stand in the way of what the table wants to do,” he said.

“The only thing I would say is community consultation is often vital to ensure you land in the right spot and can defend your decision because of that.”

Council voted to receive the petition pending further discussion on the issue after confirmation it had adhered to the principles of naming council infrastructure.

SHOWTIME: Supreme Champion led-in exhibit of the 2017 Yeppoon Show, breeding mare, Brookfield Twilight Scandle owned by Sarah. Left, prize sponsor. Brian Dorey, Sarah Young, judges, Alysha Wendt and Patrick Everingham.

Mr Hutton said in his petition that Mr Dorey OAM, who died last year aged 95, was pivotal to the fundraising, development and long-term management of the former Cooee Bay Progress and Sports Association which raised the funds for the original Cooee Bay Pool and associated facilities.

In a previous tribute to Mr Dorey, he said Brian had dedicated his life to the communities of Livingstone and his legacy lives on in many community groups, many pieces of infrastructure, and the many lives that he changed.

“A journalist, a father, and a very proud member of the Yeppoon Lions Club; many of us have grown up in his shadow,” he said.

He also served the shire of Livingstone for over three decades as a councillor and for several terms as deputy mayor.

The aquatic centre project, a joint initiative of Livingstone Shire Council and the Australian Government (13 million contribution), is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in December 2025.