DEAR News Of The Area,

BACK in the year of 1985 Doctor Gordon Myall (geriatrician), an expert in the ageing population, was very concerned about our health and that’s why the CHERP (Coffs Harbour Education Recreation Program) was founded, consisting of yoga, tai chi, water aerobics, group walking etc.

The program had approximately 600 members.

Then came Covid and the Coffs Harbour hospital pool was closed, which is understandable, stopping 350 folk from exercising.

But, three years later, it’s still closed although it’s still full of water.

It is heated and treated but we are still locked out, for no reason.

For example, a one hour class could have sixteen people doing rehab, or arthritis sufferers could do water aerobics, with users donating money to the hospital.

Nurses also used the pool at night time for exercise after a hard day’s work.

After 100 years on the bottom of the ocean, divers were amazed to find the Titanic pool still full.

A bit like the hospital, the pool was full of water but nobody was allowed to use it.

It comes down to the power of one.

Be that one today and please write to the Chief Executive Officer, Coffs Base Hospital, Locked bag 812, Coffs harbour 2450 and tell them of our need to open that pool.

Website: mnclhd.health.nsw.gov.au.

Regards,
Phyllis TAYLOR,
Coffs Harbour.