FISH Creek Football Netball Club (FNC) are still in discussions with the South Gippsland Shire Council regarding the location of the new pavilion and what it will comprise, and in support of the clubs re-build the committee received two cheques during round 13.
The Essendon District Football League board member Ian Price, chairman Bernie Shinners and CEO Andrew Johnston presented the club with a $3,000 cheque at half time of the senior’s game.
Andrew shared that the funds were collectively donated after the community came together for an ‘EDFL All Stars’ game - both a men’s and a women’s game, in February 2020 to help raise much-needed funds for devastating bushfires of 2019-2020 in country Victoria.
The event featured some of the EDFL’s biggest names, including ex-Carlton footballer Matt Watson, and ex -Essendon footballer Kyle Reimers.
The event was organised by the Roxburgh Park Football Club, in particular Michael Farrelly who was the club Senior coach at the time. The day was a great success with over $25,000 raised. These funds were then distributed to four CFA Brigades, Wildlife Victoria and after the league heard about the devastating fire and destruction of the Fish Creek NFC it decided to donate towards the rebuild fund.
“Our work is at the heart of community football, so it's our honour to assist Fish Creek.”
Leading the re-build and recovery sub-committee for Fish Creek FNC is Megan Vuillermin, Megan and the Fish Creek committee were overwhelmed by the generosity, thanking the Essendon District Football League for not only the donation towards the build but for taking the time to watch all the games during round 13.
“The support from our local community and the outside community is amazing,” said Megan. “We also received $3,500 from the Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival.”
The FNC are currently managing with temporary rooms and have held several meetings with the Shire Officers and also had an opportunity to present to the Councillors.
“The councillors have been great support,” said Megan.
“We are still in discussions regarding the location of the new pavilion and what it will comprise. We hope to know more next month when we meet with the Shire again. They have engaged contractors to survey and do an LCA at the ground to help determine location and will advise what their support will be following their internal meetings.”
The club have had some wonderful meetings with many others from State and Commonwealth Government, AFL Gippsland and Netball Victoria; all who have shown immense support.
“We are looking forward to the time we are given the green light to proceed with design and costing, so we really know what we need to aim for,” Megan explained.
“We are hoping to build a fit for purpose community space with a commercial kitchen and adjoining canteen, plus seating for over 150 people, a new netball and football change rooms, umpires and trainers’ rooms, a meeting room and storage space.”
Ideally this facility would replace the existing old infrastructure and be a facility for the local community for decades to come.
