To say I am ecstatic about yesterday’s announcement by Dr Anne Webster to pledge $3.6 million towards the proposed Deledio Park Pavilion, if the Coalition Government is re-elected on Saturday, is an understatement.
The announcement at Deledio Recreation Reserve was well attended with representation by, amongst others, the Neighbourhood House, CFA, Dunolly Primary School, Dunolly Football Netball Club (DFNC), Riding Club, the Deledio Reserve Sports Committee and Central Goldfields Shire Council officers and staff, including the CEO.
This hasn’t just ‘come about’. It is the result of many years’ worth of work and planning. Since my election as Flynn Ward councillor 18 months ago, I’ve been a passionate advocate for this new building, attending meetings of the Deledio Reserve Sports Committee, as well as persistent lobbying of both Dr Anne Webster, MP – Mallee (Federal) and Louise Staley MP – Rippon (State).
All this work has finally paid off, we did it!
This new building is not just for the DFNC, far from it. The whole community will benefit and will have access to it. It will be a new, modern and ‘fit for purpose’ facility to be enjoyed and used by everyone!
I am humbled to be able to help the Dunolly community get this project off the ground. The Deledio Reserve Sports Committee is a group of passionate community volunteers who have worked tirelessly, and they are to be commended on their unwavering enthusiasm, dedication and vision. To see so many of them yesterday at Deledio Oval was special with an atmosphere of pure joy. Incidentally, at the end of the announcement, when photos were being taken, a beautiful Eagle circled right above us for quite some time, I believe it was a sign.
We are not there just yet, as the build has an anticipated budget of $5 million. However, this federal funding election pledge is a solid start and it’s hoped that the State Government will kick in with a further funding pledge for the election to be held in November this year.
It is now up to the community to further get behind this with our ‘Paver Fundraiser’, to raise $100,000 by the end of the year to contribute towards the building.
My sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr Anne Webster who, whilst being a sitting member in the largest geographical federal electorate division in the state (at almost 82,000 square kilometres), still made Dunolly a top priority on her list!
