Bungaree and Gordon locals have shared what an upgrade to their ovals would mean for their growing communities, calling on the State and Federal Government to come to the table.<\/p>\n
Council is eager to help organise the upgrades, and is advocating for the two other levels of government to provide financial assistance to bring the plans to fruition.<\/p>\n
Outgoing Bungaree Football Netball Club President, Andrew Mahar, said the club had missed out on playing football finals at home because of the condition of its ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe currently field five football sides and seven netball sides, and it\u2019s a big part of our community. Our playing surface over the last two years, many years actually, hasn\u2019t been up to scratch. We need to secure funding to get that oval upgraded,\u201d Mr Mahar said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe missed out on three finals, not only last year but in previous years, because of our playing surface. It wasn\u2019t up to speed, it was too wet, it wasn\u2019t suitable to play finals. We missed out on a lot of crowds, and a lot of regional funding that would\u2019ve been a part of our community, because of our surface.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gordon Football Netball Club President, Peter Clifford, said players often had to train elsewhere to avoid tearing up the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the Auskick program here in Gordon, we have really good numbers. But with that, if it\u2019s a wet night, we have to transfer it away from here, so that it doesn\u2019t destroy the ground. That many kids and parents on the oval, they destroy it in one night,\u201d Mr Clifford said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest problem with the ground is, while it does have some underground drainage, it\u2019s basically an old paddock that\u2019s had the top side of it levelled a bit. It just doesn\u2019t drain very well. The ground can\u2019t handle it being wet when there\u2019s anyone using the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Clifford said the club hopes to expand into female Auskick and perhaps a female football side as well, but \u201cwe can\u2019t grow it with the ground the way it is\u201d.<\/p>\n
Council has contributed funds to both the Bungaree and Gordon ovals, and the Ballan Community Bank has provided $150,000 for an upgrade at Bungaree.<\/p>\n
However, the two projects need funding from the State and Federal Governments to get off the ground, and help the two proud community clubs grow.<\/p>\n
For more information on the Bungaree and Gordon oval upgrades, and other projects Moorabool Shire Council is advocating for, visit www.moorabool.vic.gov.au\/advocacy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Bungaree and Gordon locals have shared what an upgrade to their ovals would mean for their growing communities, calling on the State and Federal Government to come to the table. Council is eager to help organise the upgrades, and is advocating for the two other levels of government to provide financial assistance to bring the […]<\/p>\n