Thursday, 28 August 2025

 Kat THEOPHANOUS (Northcote) (10:06): Last week I had the absolute delight of attending the Parkside Junior Football Club’s volunteer night at Pitcher Park in Alphington. It was a fantastic evening reflecting on the year and awarding the many people who make the club such a vibrant part of our community. We heard about the coaches and committee members, life members and the volunteers who put their heart into the club and make it such a valuable part of our kids’ lives. I want to thank club president Rob Spurr and vice-president Jo Di Ciero for inviting both me and deputy mayor of Darebin Emily Dimitriadis to celebrate with them. Congratulations to new life members Matt Honey, Jodie Palmer and Nik Devidas, as well as Amy Yacoub for the Spirit of Parkside Award. We were also able to share the news that Darebin council has committed $500,000 to upgrading the ground at Pitcher Park, adding to the Victorian Labor government’s $100,000 commitment for new coaches boxes. Together we are working to give Parkside the facilities they deserve, and I wish the under-16s and under-12s every success in their grand finals this weekend.