Pool should stay a war memorial

I have always considered a war memorial to be sacrosanct, whether the war memorial be a cenotaph, a barbecue (such as Vietnam Veteran's at Ettalong Beach), a swimming pool or a registered club

War hero Sir Roden Cutler VC, AK, KCMG, KCVO, CBE, the NSW Governor at the time, laid the foundation stone for the Woy Woy Memorial Olympic Pool in 1967.

It was eventually opened on October 18, 1968, by Prime Minister John Gorton GCMG, AC, CH, a former fighter pilot in the second World War.

The usage for which the Woy Woy Memorial Swimming Pool was dedicated has not changed, although its structure has.

I believe the Peninsula Leisure Centre should be named the Peninsula War Memorial Leisure Centre.

Rumours abound that the complex will be named after an expatriate comic who lampooned this area.

This person was also an author, and an environmentalist.

That we have a festival named in honour of this person would seem sufficient.

Gosford Council has remained very quiet on the naming of this leisure centre.

Surely we shouldn't have to fight council to preserve the memory of those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

About a decade ago, the flagpole was removed from the pool.

This flagpole should now be returned so the Australian flag can flutter over this memorial pool on days of national significance.

As cenotaphs are never festooned in advertising, I believe this new complex should be void of such also.

Let us hope Gosford Council has got this one right.

Lest We Forget.

Mike Hudson, Umina