POOL CELEBRATIONS: Horsham Aquatic Centre's Hannah Isbel gets excited about the centre's pool party on Australia Day. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
HORSHAM Aquatic Centre will host a pool party fundraiser for disadvantaged Wimmera residents on Australia Day.
Centre manager Steve Clark said the party would draw on the Australian spirit of helping others to raise money for the YMCA's Open Doors program.
He said the campaign helped finance YMCA programs for the disadvantaged, including swimming lessons, aquatic memberships and health and wellbeing memberships.
"The pool party will be fun for everyone on an auspicious day but the intent behind it is to raise money to put back into the community," he said.
"The program is designed to offer funding to those who are financially less fortunate.
"Nominations for the program are arranged through agencies such as the Salvation Army and Wimmera Uniting Care.
"It is about celebrating the Australian culture, which is all about diversity."
The party, between 1pm and 4pm, will feature a free barbecue, an inflatable obstacle course for children and a zorb a large tube that rolls around the pool with people inside.
There will also be competitions for those best dressed in the colours of the Australian flag.
Mr Clark encouraged Wimmera families to become part of the action.
"We encourage families to come along to enjoy the variety of events and to help enjoy what should turn out to be a wholesome family occasion," he said.
"There have been a number of pool parties in the past, which are always fun, but not with the intent of it being a fundraising event.