Sporting infrastructure projects celebrated in Loch

GLORIOUS sunshine played its part at Loch & District Bowling Club for a Tuesday celebration of nine South Gippsland sporting infrastructure projects, one of which was the installation of the club’s synthetic green.

Other projects included lighting improvements at Fish Creek, Korumburra, Meeniyan and Toora Recreation Reserves, and Mirboo North’s Walter J Tuck Reserve.

Irrigation and drainage improvements and the addition of an electric scoreboard at the Foster Showgrounds and new goal posts at Meeniyan Recreation Reserve were also celebrated.

The total value of the projects carried out is approximately $2.4 million, with a State Government contribution of $1.2 million, $599,000 from South Gippsland Shire Council, $366,000 from the Federal

Government and $280,000 from local sporting clubs benefiting from the improvements. 

Speeches highlighted the importance of sport to country communities and the value of different levels of government working together to achieve beneficial infrastructure projects, with attendees learning about the different projects across South Gippsland and the funding for each.

A highlight of the morning was the bowl off between Upper House Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh and South Gippsland Shire Mayor and Federal aspirant for the seat of Monash, Nathan Hersey.

Tom confidently declared himself a better bowler than the mayor and lived up to his claim, his bowl finishing close to the jack while Cr Hersey’s was well off target.

Cr Hersey thanked the Victorian and Federal Governments for their support of the projects as well as acknowledging the contribution of clubs.

Finlay Luke is one of the many people delighted with the synthetic green at Loch, no longer having to dedicate long hours to the maintenance of a turf green.

“My back feels alright now,” he said.

As well as significantly reducing maintenance requirements, the artificial surface will save water.

The bowling club’s president Paul Latham said a key benefit of the surface will be allowing play to happen throughout the year, with its turf predecessor too wet for approximately half of the year.

“I’m passionate about what we’ve done with our sporting groups,” Mr McIntosh said, stressing the value of sport for community members of all ages.

He noted the importance of local involvement adding that projects only come about because of dedicated local committees.

Cr Hersey also mentioned the importance of local involvement, saying the most important thing is community buy in, something he credited the bowling club’s secretary Sue Loughridge for recognising and promoting.

The event was a great celebration of the importance of sport in bringing community members together, reducing isolation and promoting good mental health.