Benambra Labor Candidate Mark Tait and Labor Minister Jaclyn Symes (front left) pledgle $1 million for Barkly Park. Also pictured, representing Indigo Shire and Barkly Park user groups, is (back row) Ricky James, Pat Beattie, Mayor Bernard Gaffney, Shannen Hocking, Brian Curran, Sophie Nicolson, Kaitlin Muscat, Alister Chisholm, (front row) Cr Sophie Price, Nadine Nicholson (holding Phoebe), Annmarie Somerville and Cr Roberta Horne.
“Gamechangers for our club and community,” is how Murray Felines committee member Nadine Nicholson described the $1 million Labor election pledge and the $2 million Liberal Nationals pledge for new changerooms and better facilities at Barkly Park, Rutherglen annnounced in the past week.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The calls for new facilities at Barkly Park, particulary those for better gender equity, have been answered and prioritised by both political parties as part of major election promises for the electorate of Benambra
Labor member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes delivered the news in Rutherglen with Benambra Labor candidate Mark Tait last Thursday committing their $1 million pledge.
Indigo Shire Council mayor Bernard Gaffney welcomed Minister Symes to Rutherglen for the highly anticipated announcement with representatives from all user groups of Barkly Park.
“It’s great to see lots of passionate community groups here,” Ms Symes said.
“I grew up within the local footy club rooms, my dad worked the bar, my family all played, and I know what type of community grows from an active sporting facility.
“I know that the user groups have been quite vocal and passionate about needing investment in this facility.
“One of the things I hear from this community is the commitment to women’s sport and female participation.
“Murray Felines are renowned in the area and growing. What I hear and around the traps, particularly with the growing AFLW league, is chicks not being able to use the blokes changerooms, because they are inadequate, and they are not catered for women.
“They find themselves changing in cars, toilets or rushing home after a game, and can’t hang around after a game to enjoy all the benefits a good country club has.”
Following Jaclyn’s acknowledgment of the struggles faced by players and club members, particularly women and young girls, Benambra Labor candidate Mark Tait announced $1 million to Barkly Park reserve to upgrade showers, first aid facilities, and a block for the women’s league- if a Labor Victorian Government is elected.
“It’s a full upgrade for the whole town and that way the entire community can stay here and enjoy the facilities that are so well deserved,” Mr Tait said.
Game on! Murray Felines players Mietta Habits, Caitlin Somerville, Kaitlin Muscat, Sophie Nicholson and Ava Kilpatrick welcomed the promised news for a complete changeroom makeover from Benambra Labor candidate Mark Tait and Labor minister Jaclyn Symes.
Liberals commit $2 million to Barkly Park
On Monday Liberal Nationals Member for Benambra Bill Tilley confirmed they will commit $2 million into the long overdue redevelopment of Barkly Park at Rutherglen.
“The funding will modernise facilities that are no longer fit for purpose, while also catering to the growing number of women playing cricket and AFL,” Mr Tilley said.
“Barkly Park is home to more than 20 sporting and community groups – in addition to the Rutherglen Football and Netball Club, it is also home to the AFLW Murray Felines and the Rutherglen Cricket Club which was one of the first all women’s side in the North-East.
“The funding will allow the Committee of Management to create a modern multi-function centre including floor to ceiling windows with views onto the ground, a user-friendly kitchen and catering facilities and a viewing deck to enhance its function space.”
Mr Tilley said in 2018 the coalition also supported funding for this project and said the recent announcement from Labor was too little, too late.
“What we have seen from the Labor Government are token gestures – a $300,000 grant that was rejected as insufficient and now $1 million that is simply not enough for what is desperately needed,” he said.
“We have seen in the past 1,500 people here at games, there are so many community groups that use the facilities, and it is a hub for celebrations – it really is a gathering place for Rutherglen.
“This funding will lead to an even stronger community.”
Mayor Gaffney said it was disappointing that Barkly Park missed the Local Sporting Infrastructure Fund in the most recent round but now this has happened it’s fantastic news.
“This is so important and it’s all about gender equity.”
Murray Felines committee member Nadine Nicholson said the promise was “absolutely fabulous”.
“The user groups are big advocates for inclusiveness, so it’s great for netball and cricket as well.
“It’s been a struggle for the Feline girls. We’ve had very cold days down here and to have to go home rugged up in dirty, muddy clothes, or completely wet because they have showered fully dressed.
“Many more people can use the facilities if we have the right facilities. This will benefit the whole community, from the elderly to young toddlers.”
