New Grafton indoor pool named after drowning of Grafton cub scouts in 1943 but no change to Regional Aquatic Centre name

Clarence council has finished naming facilities as part of the new Grafton public pool project – but some fear the history behind why the old pool was originally built is being lost.

Councillor Allison Whaites says Clarence Valley Council has always had the scouts who lost their lives in the 1934 tragedy at the front and centre of planning for the new facility set to replace the Grafton Olympic Pool.

Clarence Valley Council has finalised naming facilities as part of the new Grafton public pool project, but some fear the history behind why the old pool was originally built is being lost.

Grafton Olympic Pool originated to improve the swimming skills of local children after 13 boy scouts drowned in a harrowing Clarence River tragedy on December 11, 1943.

The old pool has been demolished to make way for the refreshed pool facility, which the council decided to name the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre.

However, the name of the new pool is now a cause for concern for some, namely because it doesn’t include the word ‘memorial’.

Clarence Valley Council Mayor Ray Smith

At an extraordinary council meeting this week, councillors voted to stick to a previous decision to exclude the term.

Clarence Valley Council mayor Ray Smith voted against the motion to include the word ‘Memorial’.

“History shows the pool was built not so much in memory of the tragedy of the drowned boy scouts, but more as a facility to teach young children to swim,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy.

Deputy Mayor Greg Clancy, who put forward the ‘memorial’ motion, said he was “disappointed” and consultation showed most community respondents, almost 75 per cent, did not support the name chosen on October 22.

However, the indoor pool will be named the Grafton Cub Scout Memorial Indoor Pool.

Nine of the cub scouts' caskets awaiting burial at South Grafton Cemetery after the drowning tragedy in the Clarence River in the ‘40s.

Clarence River Historical Society president Steve Tranter has kept a close eye on the decision making and said he was concerned history could be lost.

Mr Tranter said the few relatives still alive connected to the scouts still feel the toll of the tragedy.

“They feel that the new facilities should be a memorial complex, not only for the lives of the boys and what they could have done, but for the heroes,” he said.

“The scouts incident in 1943 is indelibly linked to the pool’s beginnings and if you ask anyone around town they know the pool as the memorial pool.

“If we let history go, people will forget all about these things.”

The old Grafton Olympic Pool will become Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre.

Councillor Allison Whaites said she was happy with the decision.

“Council acknowledges the scouts and they’ve never been forgotten,” she said.

“This pool has always been known as the Olympic Pool.”

She said it was important for future funding opportunities to distinguish an aquatic centre from a memorial pool – and that Grafton’s Memorial Pool is and has always been located at South Grafton.

Grafton scout leader Brian Gallaher hopes the indoor pools being named after the scouts who died will inspire safety preparedness.

Scouts NSW and Grafton Scout Group leader Brian Gallaher welcomed the council’s decision, regardless of any remaining reservations in the community,

“We want to extend our thanks to the council and community for the thoughtful decision to name the indoor pools in memory of the 13 scouts who tragically lost their lives over 80 years ago,” he said.

“This commemoration not only honours their memory but also serves as a meaningful reminder of the value of water safety and, swimming skills and believe it will stand as a lasting tribute for many years to come.”

Construction is underway and the new Aquatic Centre is due to open in December.