tinyurl.com/OLCPoolStudy

This is a special post from the OVAN Committee in light of the scheduled OLC pool decommissioning this Friday October 31st, 2025.

As mentioned in our last newsletter, we have been collaborating with Dr. Liz Taylor (Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning & Design, Dept. of Architecture, Monash University) on a new research initiative looking at the social impact of the forthcoming OLC Pool Closure.

This is critically important work looking at the broader impact of the closure, and will be valuable not only for our future advocacy, but for other community pools across Victoria and Australia facing the prospect of closure.

We have had an incredible team of volunteers distribute nearly 2,500 postal flyers across our community. We need a minimum of 100 participants for the study to be meaningful. As of yesterday, we had 54 respondants - we need your help to get over the line before Friday!

The survey is quick and easy and completed online - we also have hardcopy versions available for those who need/prefer this. Please help us to build the strongest evidence base so we can best advocate for our community.

Who can participate in this research?

Anyone aged 18+ years who has visited the Olympic Leisure Centre during September−October 2025 (including those who supervise / accompany others).

What does the research involve?

An online or hardcopy survey (10-15 minutes to complete) done before the OLC pool closes and again 6 months later. The survey is anonymous.

What are the benefits?

The study will provide independent research to help understand what happens when pools close. It may help inform future discussions about the OLC, but won’t directly influence outcomes.

How do I get involved?

The survey is live and available at: tinyurl.com/OLCPoolStudy

If you need assistance completing the survey, require a hardcopy version, or would like more information, please contact Dr. Liz Taylor (details below) or the Olympic Village Action Network ([email protected])

Monash Project ID: 49630
Chief Investigator: Dr Liz Taylor
Department of Architecture, Monash Art Design and Architecture (MADA), Monash University
T: +61 3 9903 4719 E: [email protected] 

Finally, ABC journalists will be outside the OLC on the eve of pool decommissioning (this Thursday 30th October from 12pm). If you would like to share your story and are happy to be interviewed, please attend!

We know this is a tough week for many. Please look out for each other. We are a strong community when we work together and support each other.

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Dr. Aiden Varan, MD, MPH, BSc(Hons)
Paediatric registrar &
President, Olympic Village Action Network
On behalf of the Olympic Village Action Network Incorporated Association Committee
[email protected]
https://ovan.org.au
https://ovan.beehiiv.com

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands upon which the Olympic Village is situated, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin nations, and pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging. Soverignty over these lands was never ceded; always was, and always will be, Aboriginal country. We aim to work in collaboration with our First Nations partners to create a better future for our community.