Fun fundraiser to help restore reserve

A RECREATION Reserve committee in Moorabool’s west are on a mission to action upgrades, with a fundraiser this weekend one of many ideas in the works.

Upgrading the hall, and getting the reserve’s tennis court in a clean and functional state, are among the main priorities of the Mount Egerton Recreation Reserve (MERR) committee, and a car boot sale fundraiser this Sunday aims to raise some money for their plans.

Also on during the day will be a jumping castle, a raffle, a sausage sizzle, a coffee van, and scavenger hunts.

Nina Roxburgh is the committee’s secretary, and said while the committee had been successful in applying for a council grant, more funds were needed to get the reserve back to its former glory for the community.

“We have a big sort of revamp project we’re trying to raise money for at the moment, and it’s both fixing up inside the hall as well as the tennis court, and other safety improvements so the Reserve can be used by the community,” Ms Roxburgh said.

“Moorabool Shire Council is funding fixing our floors and putting in some heating and cool in the hall, but we have another around $60,000 we need to raise.

“We have an application in with Tiny Towns, the State Government fund, which we’ll find out about hopefully soon…but even if we get that we’ll need another $20,000.

“So that’s why we’re doing the car boot sale fundraiser and some other fundraising events and activities, but also to engage people and show them this is an active area.”

At the time of writing, around 30 cars have booked in, and the CFA and Council will also be in attendance.

The car boot sale fundraiser will run this Sunday 5 May at the Mount Egerton Recreation Reserve, from 10am to 2pm.

Admission is free, with a $20 fee for stall holders. Any money stall holders make on the day will be theirs to keep.

“If we raise $1,000 that’d be great – anything above that would be fabulous,” MERR committee events team member Sophie O’Donnell said.

“Some stalls have decided to donate their funds to the Recreation Reserve as well, which is very generous.”

To book your stall, message the ‘Mount Egerton Recreation Reserve – MERR’ Facebook page, or ring 0433 093 282.

Up for the challenge: The Mount Egerton Recreation Reserve committee hope to restore the Reserve’s tennis court, which is currently in a non-functional state. Photo: LACHLAN ELLIS