General News
12 May, 2026
Donation beats club record
Maryborough Outdoor Pool’s community-led advocacy group received $2795 following Maryborough Highland Society's recent charity night.
Maryborough Outdoor Pool’s community-led advocacy group has received a record breaking donation from the Maryborough Highland Society last week.
Highland Society president Garry Coburn presented Friends of Maryborough Outdoor Pool Precinct (FOMOP) with $2795.
The donation was raised at the Highland Society’s charity night a week prior — an initiative that annually raises over $20,000 for local community groups.
Friday’s donation is believed to beat their previous record, since 2019, by $590.
FOMOP chair Duncan Bates said he was grateful for the Highland Society and broader community’s support.
“We will set this money aside to be spent on something at the pool the community will want and need,” he said.
“Whilst we wait for that to happen, we will keep pushing council to get it open.”
Since their start early last year, the community group have been building momentum — most recently with their first AGM.
Mr Bates said the meeting was a success having expanded their membership and filled all committee positions.
“In that respect the future looks really good because we’ve got a strong committee going forward and a groundswell of support,” he said.
“I was very wary we as a group needed to formalise stuff otherwise it’s easy to be dismissed just as a group of enthusiasts.
“We’re trying to continue to keep [the pool] as a focal point despite the fact it’s not open.”
Reopening the pool is expected to cost $14 million, more than FOMOP can expect to fundraise, but Mr Bates said they play an advocacy role.
He said donations are put aside in a separate account to be put toward something the community will want and need.
“We don’t as yet have a clear idea what we’re going to use that money for but at the same time we want to ring-fence it to make sure it doesn’t get wasted,” he said.
What is planned for this year are numerous events including the return of the whole-town garage sale in October.
“We’re really glad for the support ... the community has shown us in our fundraising,” Mr Bates said.