Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Cuts Ribbon at Harrow Facilities

Published on 11 January 2021

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West Wimmera Shire Council welcomed Ms Danielle Green, MP for Yan Yean and the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria and Sport to Harrow Recreation Reserve on Wednesday 6 January for an official ribbon cutting ceremony of the new facilities.

The Making A Difference at Harrow and District Recreation Reserve project commenced construction in April 2019 after successful rounds of funding saw contributions from State and Federal Governments, council, AFL Victoria and the local community amass a staggering total of $1,350,000 towards the project.

The State government put forward $1,000,000 towards the project. The local community raised $45,000 for the project.

Interim CEO, Mr. Paul Brumby, commenced proceedings with an Acknowledgement of Country and welcomed Ms Green and her partner Michael McDonald, to the facilities. 

Surrounded by the steering committee for the project, Ms Green complimented the Harrow and District Community and Sporting Clubs on their outstanding fundraising. 

“On an individual level, the community has raised an amazing amount of $91 per resident for the project which underlines how important this building is to them”, she said. 

“We are very pleased to support this project through the Community Sports Infrastructure Fund 2018-19 and provide Harrow with a modern and practical space for their sports. 

“Harrow and Balmoral locals are passionate about their sport, and the Harrow and District Recreation Reserve transformation will open up opportunities for the growing numbers of cricket, football, netball and tennis players to emulate their sports heroes like Johnny Mullagh in their own backyard.”

“Clubs like the Southern Roos and Harrow Tennis Club have been hamstrung by outdated facilities - they deserve appropriate facilities they can be proud of.”

Ms Green then cut the ribbon and pronounced the buildings officially open. A light lunch was served to attendees followed by a tour in small groups through the facilities. 

The new facilities have been built to meet AFL, Netball and Tennis local facility standards. A new building now stands directly in front of the netball and tennis courts and boasts a spacious tearoom, home and away change rooms, umpire change rooms, all abilities toilets, office, first aid room, baby change rooms and a spacious undercover viewing area. A second building on the football oval boundary provides female friendly home and away changerooms, umpire's changerooms, office, first aid room.  

Prior to the new pavilion being built, netballers were required to walk across to the football changerooms to use the bathroom facilities. 

West Wimmera Shire Council Mayor, Mr Bruce Meyer, sees the changerooms as a tremendous drawcard for sports and recreation lovers in the shire. 

“We are extremely thankful for the funding from all levels of government and AFL Victoria” Mr Meyer said. 

“The community funding is always critical to making these types of projects possible and Harrow and district should be very proud of their achievement.

“Councillor Tom Houlihan who is also the President of the Harrow and District Recreation Reserve was instrumental in lobbying and attracting the funding which council received in 2018 to complete the project with the Harrow Community.  

“It is very clear that football, netball and tennis are the lifeblood of the sporting community in Harrow and it is essential to provide them with amenities that are comfortable, well equipped and nearby to their grounds. 

“These facilities will be a great area for spectators and team members to view games out of the weather and I am sure it will serve many other purposes for the community for years to come too.” 

This is the first stage of a three-stage project which the community is working to complete. The next focus will be stage two with the redevelopment of the current football change rooms into storage and a gym. Funds are still being sourced by the community to complete stage three which will include a resurfacing and lighting upgrade to the netball/tennis courts and a new playspace. 

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