BUILT in the late 1970s, the Mirboo North Gymnasium is the only indoor space the town has for various sports, but with decaying infrastructure, dilapidated equipment and dreadful accessibility, locals are pleading for a new one.
For nearly a decade, the Mirboo North Primary and Secondary Schools, alongside a community working group and Member for Gippsland South Danny O’Brien, have been advocating to secure funding for this important community facility.
The original gym, built from 50 per cent community donations and 50 per cent funding from the Department of Education, is no longer fit for purpose.
It has no access for those with disabilities and competition basketball cannot be played there as there is no court run-off.
Asbestos has needed to be removed, and areas and equipment can no longer be used, including ropes and climbing frames, because they have deteriorated and will also be costly to remove.
The toilet stall doors are short with inadequate privacy, so they go unused, and sporting clubs can’t use the showers as they are open and have no hot water.
“It’s definitely a sight to behold,” said Mirboo North Secondary College principal, Vaya Dauphin.
“We’re hoping for a completely new facility. That would probably be our wish list. If we were really lucky, it would actually include two courts.”
Ms Dauphin believes the town and students continue to be overlooked for funding in favour of other towns.
“Leongatha just got another four million (dollars) for another court, and I think they’ve got four or five courts in Leongatha, and we’ve been asking for an upgrade for a long time.”
Earlier this year, Leongatha Secondary College secured $11.7 million from the State Government to upgrade its sports, performing arts and food technology facilities.
“My other frustration has been that there seems to have been a lack of appetite from the Shire to support us with this,” added Vaya.
“We had the Minister for Sport out a couple of years ago, we could have applied for good funding there, but it had to go through the Shire, and, of course, the Shire wouldn’t put the application in.”
Ms Dauphin is hoping the recent visit from Labor MP Tom McIntosh, who met with the Year 12 students and learnt about the challenges they face, will see inroads made.
“We can’t do it on our own. We can’t move it without everyone sort of coming together. I think if a politician is going to promote this idea, then certainly that might bring all the parties to the table,” said Ms Dauphin.
Fortunately, Mr McIntosh is sympathetic to the plight of the students, the community and their outdated facility and detailed the issue in his member’s statement to parliament on Thursday, August 28.
“The gymnasium has been used, loved and cherished by the school and the town for decades. It is used for basketball, for netball, for badminton, for community fitness, for a variety of things – people get in there and use it. The gymnasium is in need of some love,” said Mr McIntosh.
“In talking more broadly with the community, I have heard and can see clearly the absolute passion and the buy-in around the town to get the gymnasium upgraded.”
“Things can take time, but I just want everyone in Mirboo North to know that I am really committed to walking alongside them on working towards getting the gym funded for generations to come,” added Mr McIntosh.
