Thursday, 5 October 2023

 Ros SPENCE (Kalkallo – Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Community Sport, Minister for Carers and Volunteers) (09:49): It has been a busy month in Wallan, with the official opening of Wallan Secondary College’s sports pavilion and the Greenhill recreation reserve oval upgrade and playground upgrade. The new pavilion at Wallan Secondary, which received over $533,000 in funding from the Allan Labor government’s Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, includes two female-friendly change rooms and umpire rooms, accessible toilets and a kiosk. This is a terrific addition to the school, and it will also benefit both the Wallan Magpies football club and the Wallan Kookaburras district cricket club, who will now have the chance to even further boost participation with this facility, particularly amongst women and girls.

The oval at the Greenhill recreation reserve has also seen an upgrade, supported by $106,000 from our country football and netball program. This upgrade delivered the reshaping of the main oval to remove low spots and the installation of drainage in sections of the field, works that will eliminate water ponding caused by heavy rainfall. Thank you also to Mitchell Shire Council and Cricket Victoria for their partnership in delivering both of these important projects. While at the reserve I also had the opportunity to open the upgraded playground, which was supported by a $110,000 investment from the Allan Labor government. Delivered in partnership with Mitchell Shire Council, the playground includes two multipurpose play units, climbing rocks, double swings and more trees, as well as new seating and furniture. These projects were much needed, and they will no doubt be well utilised and warmly welcomed by the Wallan residents. I am thrilled that this government has continued to support this terrific community.