Gather Round vibes

Mount Gambier will celebrate all things footy in the lead up to the AFL Gather Round with ‘Before the Bounce’ community activities to be held from Saturday, March 23, until Sunday, April 7.

More than 40,000 people are expected to travel through Mount Gambier on the way to the Gather Round in Adelaide.

Before the Bounce is a program of footy based events and activities to be held throughout the city designed to capitalise on the influx of visitors.

City of Mount Gambir Mayor Lynette Martin said, Mount Gambier was a proud sporting city with a particular love for Australian Rules Football.

“We are a destination in our own right and we welcome visitors who are making the pilgrimage to Adelaide for the Gather Round to kick start their footy weekend, play and stay in our city,” Mayor Martin said.

City of Mount Gambier manager economy, strategy and engagement Biddie Shearing said Before the Bounce leverages the timing of school holidays and coinciding events such as Fringe Mount Gambier.

“We aim to maximise visitor participation and boost the local economy while celebrating our city’s vibrant sporting culture and the essence of Australian Rules Football,” Ms Shearing said.

The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre will lead the charge with a creative space called ‘Straight to the Pool Room!’.

Riddoch Arts and Culture Centre director Ashleigh Whatling said this immersive experience would focus on the fans and families of regional football and will feature Naracoorte resident Andy Munro’s extensive football guernsey collection, a guernsey design competition, footy card selfies and other activities tailored for every age group.

The Riddoch will also host a film screening of the beloved 1980s football classic, ‘The Club’ presented by Mount Gambier’s own Drag King Loveit Murray on Wednesday, March 27, at 60pm.

The Mount Gambier Library will lean into the footy flashback theme, reflecting on some of the local legends within our community and stories from days gone by.

Community members are encouraged to take part and bring in some of their own memorabilia to share.

Manager library and community development Georgina Davison said they would also host a pom pom craft activity and find the football competition with an AFL football signed by Geelong Cat’s player Brad Close.

The SANFL will host a free junior footy clinic facilitated by SANFL game development staff at Frew Park on Thursday, March 28 at 4.30pm including a special display featuring the SANFL and 2024 AFL Premiership Cups.

Businesses and the community are encouraged to ‘wear your colours’ on the Friday of the Gather Round – Friday, April 5.

Council is working closely with South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC), AFL and SANFL to bring Before the Bounce activities to the community.

“Council staff have done a fabulous job to pull together this event program for our residents and visitors to enjoy,” Mayor Martin said.

Find out further information at Before the Bounce.