Mullumbimby Memorial Centre Petria Thomas Pool

The Mullumbimby Memorial Centre is a large swimming pool complex, established in the 1950s, in honour of those who served in the First and Second World Wars. 

The pool has now been renamed after Australian swimmer Petria Thomas OAM. Born on 25 August 1975 in Lismore, she grew up in Mullumbimby. Thomas became an Olympic gold medallist and won a number of national titles.

History

On 16 February 1950 Max Mercer, secretary of the Baths Planning Committee, called a public meeting at the Mullumbimby Council Chambers to discuss commencing work on the proposed memorial pool and community centre, including potential fund raising schemes. At the meeting the mayor of Mullumbimby, Alderman W.E. Smith, stated "a swimming pool is one of the best memorials the town could have and I feel sure the whole town and district will be right behind the movement ..." (Northern Star, 17 February 1950).

A fund raising committee was formed and the Mullumbimby Municipal Council was asked to be trustees. It was agreed the project was to be called the Mullumbimby Memorial Centre. By 1953 the site had been selected.