Coker enjoys big weekend of election promises

ACROSS a busy weekend of election pledges, Labor’s Corangamite contender Libby Coker has promised a Shorten Labor Government would invest $1 million towards the rebuild of the Apollo Bay Surf Life Saving Club and $100,000 to upgrade Torquay Football Club’s changerooms.

Ms Coker said the Apollo Bay SLSC was seeking $7 million for the construction of a new club house on the beach with training and community facilities.

She said Labor’s investment of $1 million is the “crucial first step” in getting the club’s plans in motion.

“Apollo Bay SLSC, led very passionately in their advocacy by David Gorrie, have been pushing hard for funding towards their new club house.

“Surf lifesaving clubs provide a vital community service and should be supported to have good facilities and the best safety equipment to do their job.”

Ms Coker also identified a need to accommodate the rising level of female participation at Torquay Football Club.

“The Tigers have gone from having one girls’ team in 2015 to having five today, showing just how quickly female participation is on the rise.”

The Labor candidate said the funding would help meet the needs of the girls who already play for Torquay as well as the club’s first senior women’s team, which debuted at McCartney Oval earlier this year.