Thursday, 30 May 2024

North-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:56): (911) My constituency matter is directed towards the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events. Recently I had the pleasure of joining the Nunawading Lions football club reserves for a game against Scoresby. While we did not secure victory, we actually had remarkable progress by doubling the previous week’s score from 1 to 2 points. I was lucky enough – sorry, skilful enough – to get five disposals, and remarkably I was only flattened twice. I am thrilled to report I came away completely uninjured, and I would be happy to share strategies with the member for Nepean on that.

I get to enjoy football, but not so our schools. I have been shocked by the number of schools in my electorate that do not have AFL-viable fields because of portables extending. This beautiful Indigenous game of ours has been central to uniting our community for generations, but it is now being marginalised. I would ask the minister to ensure that school ovals for generations to come will be available so that we can continue to enjoy this great game.

The PRESIDENT: I take it they are school ovals in the east?

Richard WELCH: In the eastern suburbs, North-East Metro.