Janet Hort and mother Beryl Hort hold the Jack Hort Memorial Indoor Swimming Pool commemorative plaque which will be erected at the pool. They are with Rotarians, from left, John Robinson, Ion Whykes and Graeme Chester.By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE’S indoor pool has been renamed The Jack Hort Memorial Indoor Swimming Pool.
The vision, endeavour and success of the late Jack Hort in accomplishing what was described as the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the Rotary Club of Healesville was recognised at a ceremony on Friday night.
The pool, in the grounds of Healesville High School, opened in March 1990.
Ion Whykes, Rotarian and school principal during construction, said Rotary had built the ECA (community and sports) centre on school grounds, and Mr Hort saw an indoor pool as completing the project.
Mr Hort, quoted in an article in Mountain Views in August 1987 on the merits of a regional pool at Woori Yallock, said the art of acquiring a heated pool was to just do it.
“Mr Hort says his pool will be built more quickly, more cheaply and without half the hassle (of going through council and government) by just getting on with it,” the article said.
True to Mr Hort’s word, work started on the pool in March the following year.
Mr Whykes described Mr Hort as a man with incredible energy, drive and enthusiasm.
He said he convinced everyone who needed to be convinced, from the school and shire councils to the education department, local businesses, community groups, tradespeople and other volunteers who played a role in either financing or building the pool.
Sharing some amusing stories of the ups and downs of a community taking on such a huge project, Mr Whykes reminded the gathering, many of whom had worked on the project, of just what a huge undertaking and achievement it was.
Mr Hort’s daughter Janet Hort unveiled the commemorative plaque and spoke on behalf of the Hort family.
She said her father was instrumental in raising money for the outdoor pool and the formation and running of the Healesville Swimming Club.
After having worked hard for 35 years to make the family business, French’s Laundry, a success, Ms Hort said her father felt a need to give back to the community.
“When the need for a heated indoor pool was identified, dad considered Rotary as the vehicle to construct the pool,” she said.
“He jumped at the opportunity and gave two years of his time in this endeavour with the strong support of mum.”
Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Healesville is continuing its support of the pool by raising sponsorship for desperately needed maintenance.
President Graeme Chester said $25,000 had been raised through a sponsorship program led by Rotarian John Robinson.
Twenty-two local businesses were acknowledged for their support as 2007 gold, silver or bronze sponsors.
