The Murchison-Toolamba Football Club is the beating heart of the local community, with players, volunteers and supporters coming from right across the Goulburn Valley to cheer on their team.
To ensure the club can keep kicking goals on and off the field, it needs a major upgrade to its facilities, and a Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government will deliver just that.
Our plan to support grassroots sport is clear, and a brand new $4.1 million community hub and changerooms at Murchison forms part of that commitment.
With the growing number of female sports participants, women and girls have the right to feel comfortable to be able to change and shower in privacy, and that’s why it’s so important for female specific changerooms to feature in the new build.
The community hub will now be able to hold major events such as weddings, funerals, family reunions, meetings, community gatherings and sporting events, and will allow better connections for residents living south of Shepparton.
New lights on the playing surface will be installed, as well as an upgrade to the netball courts.
Shadow Minister for Sport, Cindy McLeish, said the redevelopment would help local sport recover and rebuild following two years of disruption.
“Anything that helps encourage Victorians to get active or participate in local sporting groups is a win for the community,” Ms McLeish said.
“Local sporting clubs are a vital part of the Goulburn Valley, and the Liberals and Nationals are proud to support grassroots sport with this commitment.”
Liberal Candidate for Euroa, Brad Hearn, said the commitment was a big win for the local community.
“Community sport is a huge part of our community here in Murchison and across the seat of Euroa. It brings our towns together throughout the year and supports our young people to have healthy lives,” Mr Hearn said.
“More than 40 years since the last infrastructure development, the Liberals will deliver fit-for-purpose facilities for the community, for existing players, attracting new players and promoting inclusion and female participation in community sport.”
The Nationals Candidate for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said local sport was decimated during the pandemic.
“The recreation reserve is the meeting place of the Murchison community,” Ms Cleeland said.
“When the club showed me their facilities, the need for new change and social rooms was immediately obvious. They’ve done a great job to get the groundwork done and I’m proud to support them with this commitment.”
Liberal Candidate for Shepparton, Cheryl Hammer, said the new build was a long time in the making.
“Sport is so much more than chasing a ball on Saturdays in communities like Murchison-Toolamba, it is the heartbeat of these towns, and they deserve their share of investment in appropriate and quality facilities,” Ms Hammer said.
“I am proud to have advocated on behalf of this successful club for improved facilities, as well as a new community centre for the town. This is what a local representative should do, these are the things that are important to families and community members.”
The Nationals Candidate for Shepparton, Kim O’Keeffe, said the commitment means better facilities for the town.
“This announcement means Murchison-Toolamba has new facilities to come together not just for sport, but for a range of community events,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“It is so important to invest in our sporting facilities to ensure the clubs can thrive well into the future. The Murchison-Toolamba Football Netball Club will be a force for years to come.”