Published on Friday, 30 April 2021 at 6:48:00 PM

The Paltridge Memorial Swimming Pool (1966), located in the heart of Exmouth, plays a vital role in encouraging physical activity and well being in the community. It supports local diving businesses in their endeavours and hosts many regional swimming carnivals which have flow-on economic benefits to the whole community. But the pool is also of importance for travelling families; being able to create fond memories in a safe and hospitable environment.

One of these former visitors has now returned to Exmouth. The first time since 1966, to be exact. Mary Ciccarelli, one of the daughters of Sir Shane Dunne Paltridge - the namesake of the Paltridge Memorial Swimming Pool.

2021 was the first time she could actually see the pool, honouring her father, open and operating.

Visiting Exmouth and the Ningaloo Aquariums and Discovery Centre enabled Mary to return to her childhood. She described how shortly after her father's death, she met Colonel Ken Murdoch, the Civil Commissioner who was to make the new town of Exmouth, an integrated community for the American and Australian people. He had invited the grieving family to Exmouth due to the passing of Senator Paltridge, a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire and Minister of Defence. Sir Shane Paltridge became gravely ill in 1966 and resigned only two days before his passing from his ministerial position, leaving his wife and two daughters behin

COMMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO MARY CICCARELLI

"We had a very thorough visit through the Ningaloo Aquarium & Discovery Centre and were really impressed with the galleries. It would have to be best such centre we have visited, and the history section retrieved many old memories from my first visit to Exmouth."

"I have very fond memories of our stay in Exmouth in January 1966 – it gave me a chance to draw a breath among hospitable people who made no demands and asked no questions, which helped me face the new school year. I was not yet 14 and remember the feeling that I didn’t know how I was meant to cope without my father.”

COMMENTS ATTRIBUTED TO THE SHIRE – SHIRE PRESIDENT MATT NIIKKULA

“Places change over time, and returning to a previous travel destination can literally add another dimension to your experience of that place. Council is pleased to hear that the galleries in the Ningaloo Centre are up to par with comparable attractions and that it compliments the visiting experience in such a round-about-way.”

MEDIA AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

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Pool Manager Josh Koontz & Mary Ciccarelli at the Paltridge Memorial Swimming Pool

Download full Media Release: DAUGHTER OF PALTRIDGE MEMORIAL POOL’S NAMESAKE REVISITS EXMOUTH

Media contact:
Sandra Flint, Communications & Media Liaison Officer, Shire of Exmouth
M: 0459 431 439 | E: sflint@exmouth.wa.gov.au

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