Free entry to mark 60th anniversary of Cairns’ Tobruk Memorial Pool

Patrons will be offered free entry tomorrow to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of Tobruk Memorial Pool.

Built between 1960 and 1962, the aquatic and recreation facility was developed to commemorate the contribution of the Rats of Tobruk during the Second World War and recognised increasing public interest in recreational and competitive swimming following the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

The Rats of Tobruk Association initially wrote a letter to the Cairns Council in 1956 advising that they wanted to assist in the construction of an Olympic-sized swimming pool to perpetuate the memory of those who fell in the siege of Tobruk.

The Council, in response, established a committee to raise funds and construction subsequently started in 1960.

The original Tobruk Memorial Pool was officially opened by then Mayor S. Darcy Chataway on 24th March 1962 in the presence of 35 veterans of the Siege of Tobruk.

The complex at the time included a 50-metre pool, children’s pool and a circular wading pool, along with a grandstand and main build with the now Heritage-listed façade. It cost a total £85,000, £3000 of which was contributed by the Rats of Tobruk Association.

The Cairns Amateur Swimming Club later offered between £3000 and £4000 for the construction of an office and seating.

Advising that the Tobruk Memorial Pool has long been regarded as an important community asset,

Cairns Mayor, Bob Manning today commented “the pool has a strong connection with Australia’s military history, which can be seen through the shaping of the roofline to mimic the bay of Tobruk, and memorial elements such as interpretive panels and the Anzac Centenary sculpture located outside the main entrance.”

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of the complex, the complex managers, Belgravia Leisure, will offer patrons free entry tomorrow and Cairns Region Councillor Max O’Halloran will be invited to cut a commemorative cake at 2pm.

Councillor O’Halloran added “this is a great chance for residents to enjoy the world class facilities and for those who may not have visited the complex before, an opportunity to discover why it is so highly regarded.

“Acknowledgement also needs to be given to the lessee, Belgravia Leisure, for the work they do in the management of the centre and fantastic programs they deliver.”

A $23.7 million redevelopment of the complex was undertaken by Council from late-2014 to May 2016, which included a new 50 metre, 10-lane FINA-standard pool, two 25m program/warm-up pools, toddler pool and a FlowRider wave simulator.

Redevelopment of the 1.22 hectare complex also included shade over all formal spaces, landscaping and seating, the heating of all the pools, a 417-seat grandstand, upgraded amenities, reception, kiosk and function space, memorial walkway and entrance feature, new access road and 230 off-street car parks.

Since its redevelopment, the facility has become an increasingly popular destination for national and international swimming teams.

Notably, the facility was used last year as the Australian Olympic and Paralympic swim teams’ pre-departure training camp, due to its climate being similar to the Japanese capital, Tokyo.

The Japanese national swim team has also used Tobruk pool on a number of occasions, including in prior to its Olympic trials in 2020.