Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell came to Tongala as a primary schooler and his family made a significant contribution to the town over the ensuing year, his father, Neville, a well-known figure.
Neville Mackrell, who died in recent years, was a successful businessman and also heavily involved with successful sporting teams in the dairy farming hamlet.
His son, and new shire leader, Daniel was in a reflective mood at the event as he lent his support to the event organised by the energetic and highly motivated Tongala Development Group.
“I remember being here when I didn’t really know how to swim and the swimming club helped me to become more confident,” he said.
“I was 18, head and shoulders above the other kids, in a race they organised over 25m and I won. That much I do remember.”
Ironically, a teenager, Cr Mackrell was a well established triathlete at the time who only ever concentrated on team events that allowed him to either run or cycle.
“Swimming was never part of it until that help from the Tongala crew. Essentially, it was the swimming club who taught me how to swim,” he said.
Cr Mackrell said he had recently bought a new mountain bike and while he didn’t plan to be back in the pool any time soon, would certainly be on his bike in the not too distant future.
He grew up in Tongala with three brothers and a sister, and stood proudly on the sidelines as children thoroughly enjoyed the pool — made free for the entire summer for a third year in succession by the shire.
“It is really good to see the participation levels at the pool. The pool being offered for free gives access to people who may otherwise not be able to enjoy this facility,” he said.
Cr Mackrell said the pool would be part of the soon-to-be unveiled Aquatic Strategy, which would consider the future of the pools and the free entry that has been so welcomed by residents in recent years.
As for his new role as leader of the council, he said, “we have a really good team. I am proud to have been asked to lead the council.
“We have a very diverse group, which makes the council even better,” he said.
