The Somerset Regional Council is hosting free Australia Day pool parties and has extended swimming hours to help residents in Fernvale, Queensland, stay cool this summer. These family‑friendly events provide a low‑cost way for the local community to celebrate while using public facilities during the hottest part of the year.
On 26 January, families can visit the Lowood Swimming Pool, which serves the Fernvale area, for a day of free swimming and entertainment. Entertainment typically runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, a free community barbecue will be provided, and the pool generally remains open to visitors until 4:00 pm as part of the annual program.
To help more people get into the water, the Toogoolawah Swimming Pool has introduced extended operating hours that run through January 2026. The changes add extra afternoon and weekend sessions; local reporting notes, for example, an added Wednesday afternoon session from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Older residents can also take part in new first‑aid training sessions being held at the Fernvale Futures Complex and other community hubs across Somerset. The council says these sessions are tailored for older residents to equip them with life‑saving skills relevant to age‑related emergencies.
Council meeting records show the region’s pools are seeing high use: Lowood recorded 6,214 visits in January 2025, a figure highlighted by Mayor Jason Wendt in council meeting highlights. The council said it is pleased to see many families from surrounding communities using these local assets.
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