Swim worker

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 291, 20 June 1989, Page 11

Swim worker

The recipient of this week's Bulletin bouquet, Shirley McDonough, is one of the 'hard core' members of the Waimarino's 'Chills Off committee.

The committee's goal is to enclose the Raetihi swimming baths to extend the swimming season. The committee was formed in 1986 with the aim of raising $80,000 but cost increases of materials has since pushed that figure to around $120,000. The planned enclosure will cover both leamers' and main pool.

Mrs McDonough began as the committee's treasurer and for the past two years has held the position pf chairperson. Since its formation the committee has been involved with "countless" fundraising activities. Money-spin-ning successes include the 'Bridge to Nowhere' wine and cheese film

premiere; Raetihi's Medieval Day, marking the dissolution of the Raetihi Borough, Chills Off's Fun Days and cabarets. Chills Off also benefitted from last year's 'Hat and Hair Day' run by Raetihi School, which raised over $200 for the committee. Mrs McDonough is involved with the Raetihi Swimming Club, coaching leamers' swimming. Her four children are all former swimming club members. She is confidant that the committee will reach its monetary goal. To date, Chills Off has over $22,000, with an additional $5000 in cash pledges - a total of nearly $30,000. "It's a facility that the community needs", she said. "We've come this far with fund raising. It would be a shame to quit now." Mrs McDonough is secretary of the Raetihi Cosmopolitan Club and has recently become reinvolved with Playcentre, as Centre Advisor. She is also on the committees of Raetihi's swimming club, Scouts and rugby.