David HODGETT (Croydon) (15:39): Recently I visited Barngeong Reserve with Grant Hutchinson, the Liberal candidate for Croydon, to meet with Brad Eley, president of the Croydon Junior Football Club. Brad spoke proudly about the club’s continued growth, with participation increasing significantly and team numbers expanding from three to 10 this year alone. Barngeong Reserve is home to several community sporting organisations, including the Croydon Junior Football Club, the Croydon Rams Baseball Club and the Croydon North Cricket Club. While the playing surfaces, lighting and scoreboard are in good condition, the pavilion and amenities are outdated and no longer meet the needs of this shared facility. The existing facilities are not disability compliant and lack suitable separate change rooms for male and female participants, limiting the ability of clubs to accommodate the growing number of women and girls involved in sport. The club acknowledges Maroondah City Council’s ongoing support for community sport and understands that upgrades are subject to competing priorities; however, the need for improvements at Barngeong Reserve is becoming increasingly urgent. While I secured funding for minor upgrades in 2013, these works are no longer sufficient to meet current demand. I intend to meet with Maroondah council in the coming weeks to discuss this matter further. I also know that Grant Hutchinson will continue to advocate strongly for a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that can support the needs of local clubs and the broader community. Today I raise the issue to draw it to the attention of the Minister for Community Sport and to emphasise the need for funding to upgrade the facilities at Barngeong Reserve. Finally, I acknowledge the important role grassroots sports clubs play in our communities. They promote health and wellbeing and foster teamwork and connection.