In the City of Greater Geelong’s latest round of Community Sports Infrastructure Funding, North Geelong Warriors FC submission for $295K to upgrade and improve playing surface and drainage upgrades to Pitches 1, 2 and 3 has unfortunately been declined.
Congratulations to all the other submissions that have achieved their desired result. North Geelong endorses any club or council asset receiving funding and achieving their success which enables the enrichment of community.
We appreciate how labour intensive the process is and actively participate in reciprocating support, point in case our club was called upon to sign an MOU to endorse CoGG in a successful outcome for Hume Reserve pitches 1 and 2 new lights a few years ago. We did not hesitate and fully supported the motion. We had hoped that our support would have helped us in another submission which we proposed a co-investment with CoGG for new lighting at the same council venue (Hume reserve pitch 3) a couple of years later, but it was rejected.
Our club’s future infrastructure and strategic plans have been buoyed in recent years with success in funding requests supported by council with the collaboration of councillors Aitken, Grzybek and Kontelj whom have taken our case before council to open up opportunities, such as the most recent ground maintenance support with a $47,500 grant (we look forward to sharing the outcomes of this with you once that work is complete).
As we progress, we will highlight how our efforts are tracking in the big picture of community funding so that our members can understand what we are up against, how it works and how they can support our initiatives, all in context of seeking fair and balanced use of tax and rate payer funds.
We see unsuccessful bids as an opportunity to improve and we take it all in stride, seeking knowledge and better understanding as we try and discover improvements in operating our club’s service to the entire City of Greater Geelong.
After this latest setback we need to raise questions though. Question of ourselves and all tiers of Government. Time to reflect on the perception and determine the truth of whether we are playing on an even surface in the landscape of providing sports/community service to our great region.
Several years ago, we addressed an inequity, pioneering a move to address funding rules with CoGG. We succeeded with support of the majority of councillors and saw the rules changed to include community providers like us, who operate from non-council owned facilities to be included and assessed in funding rounds, up against council owned facilities. Although that has availed success, it is now time to re-investigate the process and understand better if it is serving us the best way possible going forward.
We acknowledge our place in the community and the role we play. Similarly, to schools there are public and private choices which share continued examples of co-investment between local, state and federal government and we too will seek similar opportunities.
We have many volunteers, sponsors, and members all of whom contribute deeply to the running of the club’s facility. This generation now didn’t ask to be handed a non-council owned facility to manage into its 57th year, but we get on with the job the best we can. Along with partners and all tiers of government we will continue to investigate how our tax and council rates are dispersed and seek fairness and balance. The result which we hope would be the same opportunities to apply and be considered for outcomes as others do. It is important to state that rarely if ever is the monetary saving the club delivers yearly to the community acknowledged.
Over the summer break, courtesy of a Bendigo Bank grant we were supported in roof replacement work which combined with volunteer effort resulted in a new roof over the clubrooms and grandstand. Additionally, a small Federal Govt grant from the office of Deputy PM Mr Richard Marles to support sustainable energy improvements (separate acknowledgement posts coming).
We are progressing and focussed on building our new five-year strategy. If you care to join the initiatives or share your contribution in support of our planning, please come forward by sending us an email info@ngwfc.com.au
