Wednesday, 16 August 2023

 Jordan CRUGNALE (Bass) (19:09): (294) My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Minister for Suburban Development, and the action I seek is that the minister join me in my electorate of Bass to visit the site of the Pearcedale Recreation Reserve. Our signature Growing Suburbs Fund program will deliver a purpose-built facility to support district level AFL, cricket, netball and, in the swathe of offerings, see a multipurpose community space, kitchen, umpire rooms, first-aid office, storage and undercover outdoor area. This $4 million project is jointly funded through our Growing Suburbs Fund and the City of Casey and is expected to be completed later this year.

The Pearcedale Panthers are a vibrant, connected, socially active, supportive, inclusive club with a total look-out-for-one-another vibe. Established in 1898, they do have a bit of a showcase cabinet with myriad shiny trophies. A big year in 2017 saw the introduction of the first senior women’s football team, and along with this accomplishment the club merged footy and netball to become what it is today. The former pavilion was described as embarrassing and outdated, and we all cheered when it was razed to the ground. And there is more, as last year we funded an upgrade through our football–netball country program, which has the minister with her community sport hat on and which will see compliant netball courts complete with lighting, so they can play, train and host local competitions. Judging from their round 17 clean sweep across A, B, C and D grades and the under-17s against Rye, like their namesake the Panthers they are excellent jumpers and sprinters and can climb to great heights. I look forward to welcoming the minister to Pearcedale to meet with the club and hear how the facility will benefit them and future generations.