Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:57): I am delighted to report that out of the 2026–27 state budget funding has been secured for the mighty Rowville Hawks footy club, specifically $375,000 worth of upgrades towards their second oval. Seebeck Oval is a terrific facility down there on Stud Road, and it was terrific for Mr Tarlamis and me to join the club over the weekend to watch a match and to also see what these upgrades will deliver. The club has two terrific ovals; however, their second oval, oval number two, has been beset with a number of issues. Firstly, there is no lighting, but secondly, there are many drainage issues with the oval being located very close to the neighbouring wetlands. After any sort of particularly big rainfall the oval is deluged and sometimes underwater, leading to the local epithet ‘Lake Seebeck’. This funding will significantly go towards upgrading the lighting and the drainage, and I am very much looking forward as well to working with Knox City Council and acknowledge Cr Susan Pearce, who I know will be very excited to work with getting some council funding as well. As I did say, we were there to celebrate the news, but also to watch a great game of local football, and what a great game it was. You might even call it a walloping, beating rivals Blackburn by 80 points to 35, certainly an auspicious result for the Rowville Hawks. We will continue to enjoy supporting them and watching this great project take shape.