Millie the cow introduced to raise funds for Aquatic Centre

Just a few months ago Simon and Marlene Murray were beginning a new business venture and were looking for a logo that was synonymous with Maleny.

A cow came to mind, as is typical of many businesses here in Maleny, reflecting on our rural history.

Not wanting to use anyone else’s cow they came up with their own. Millie’s a little bit cheeky with her red tongue and is obviously pretty happy jumping with joy!

In the end Simon and Marlene decided to not use Millie in their new venture, Maleny Hamper Co, and put her on the shelf.

Then one day at work at Maleny  IGA, Simon was approached by a customer looking for a Maleny souvenir, which wasn’t perishable, and that she could give to her friends. Simon couldn’t think of anything she could purchase.

Talking with Marlene later that day they came up with the idea of taking Millie off the shelf and putting the image on a t-shirt so that tourists, and locals alike, could buy something that said they love Maleny.

Having happily lived in Maleny for over 20 years, and with Marlene born in Maleny Hospital, they also felt it was time to give something back.

So the hunt for a cause which would benefit from raising awareness of its plight and at the same time receiving some proceeds from the t-shirt sales began.

They didn’t have to look far. The couple had raised a son in Maleny and to keep him busy they encouraged  him to swim. Marlene’s also a keen swimmer so they knew that the current pool facilities didn’t really cater to our climate or communities needs.

Having read about the Maleny Indoor Aquatic Centre proposal somewhere Simon decided to ring a long time friend, Steve Weyman, who he knew was involved in keeping the current pool functional.

Simon and Marlene met with the Maleny Indoor Aquatic Centre Steering Group Inc (MIAC) and tabled their proposal to begin the new aquatic centre fundraising initiative.

It is now underway, with a generous gesture from Rob and Samantha Outridge, owners of Maleny IGA, they were able to display the merchandise instore as well as making a sales funnel available through the store at massively reduced markups, to ensure maximum funding to the ambitious task in front of them.

The new Maleny Indoor Aquatic Centre has been allocated a site by Sunshine Coast Council on the Maleny Sports Park, to be positioned near the existing Beersheba Living Museum and Maleny Contract Bridge Club facilities and alongside the proposed Maleny Community Gym, Maleny Hydrotherapy Centre and sporting fields.

Unfortunately commercial pools don’t come cheap and as at end of 2018 the 25 x 25 metre heated Indoor Aquatic centre was pegged at a cost of approximately $15 Million.

Sunshine Coast Council at this stage are offering zero funding to the pool due to low population numbers and commitments else