- State Government pitches in for community sporting facility upgrades at Eaton Oval in Shire of Dardanup to benefit more than 550 football and cricket club members
- $700,000 funding is major component of $2.1 million Fishwick Pavilion project, named after much-loved locals Reg and Jocey Fishwick
- The Cook Government’s support for community infrastructure is made possible due to strong financial management
The Cook Government is showing its commitment to community sporting needs in the Shire of Dardanup by providing a major funding contribution to a new football and cricket pavilion at Eaton Oval, a legacy project to honour two much-loved locals.
A Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) grant of $700,000 has been awarded to upgrade the R & J Fishwick Pavilion, named after Reg and Jocey Fishwick, who made a major contribution to the Shire of Dardanup’s sporting community.
The project netted the grant from the 2022-23 CSRFF Annual and Forward Planning round, a fund run by the State Government to support sustainable infrastructure. The fund received a significant uplift last year thanks to strong financial management by the Cook Labor Government.
The pavilion’s old changeroom and limited storage facilities did not meet community sporting needs and growth in participation from the Eaton Junior Football Club and Eaton Cricket Club. The upgraded pavilion will provide a modern new home for both clubs, located on Pratt Road.
In addition to the CSRFF grant of $700,000, there are three other funding sources for the $2.1 million project:
- a $500,000 Commonwealth Government, Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI) Grant;
- $50,000 from the Western Australian Football Commission; and
- $850,000 from the Shire of Dardanup.
Other recent Shire of Dardanup projects supported by the State Government include:
- The Glen Huon Softball Lighting Upgrade, which received $129,143 from DLGSC’s 2022-23 Club Night Lights Program;
- Eaton Bowling Club’s $3 million upgrade; and
- Eaton Recreation Centre, which received $124,866 from DLGSC’s 2023-24 CSRFF funds.
The CSRFF is administered by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC). For more details visit the DLGSC website https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/funding/sport-and-recreation-funding/community-sporting-and-recreation-facilities-fund
Comments attributed to Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman:
“We are proud to support the Fishwick Pavilion project in memory of Reg and Jocey’s commitment to sport in the Eaton community, in particular their long-standing relationship with the Eaton Junior Football Club that goes back to the 1950s.
“This facility is fantastic news for the local community, benefiting more than 550 local club members seniors and juniors. The upgraded pavilion includes new changerooms to cater for the growing number of women playing football and cricket. There’s also a new function room, meeting area and kitchen.
“Our Government is committed to providing financial assistance to community groups and local governments to develop sports infrastructure because it means getting more people active and extending options to play sport.
“Funding such as the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund contributes to healthier and more connected communities by improving facilities and keeping them in use.”
As stated by Collie MLA Jodie Hanns:
“I am delighted to see the R & J Fishwick Pavilion become a reality for the Eaton Cricket Club and Eaton Junior Football Club, providing outstanding local sporting infrastructure for community use. It’s sure to build interest in these very active local sporting groups.
“Named after Reg & Jocey Fishwick, the pavilion recognises the contribution made by the Fishwick family to the Eaton sporting community over many decades.
“This project delivers on a commitment from the Cook Labor Government’s Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) in partnership with the Albanese Government and the Shire of Dardanup.”
