General News
23 October, 2025
Mortlake Gift set to race this weekend
A GENEROUS donation has provided a boost to south west recreation reserves as the Cobden, Mortlake and Terang gifts prepare to run.
The Victorian Athletics League (VAL) calendar opens its 2025-2026 calendar on Saturday, October 25 with the Cobden Gift, followed by the Mortlake Gift the next day.
The VAL will return to the south west in November, with the Warrnambool Gift and Terang Gift running on Saturday, November 29 and 30 respectively.
Mortlake Recreation Reserve Committee of Management vice chair Noel McConnell said this year’s event was shaping up to be just as strong as last year.
“We’re looking like having a similar field to last year, with just shy of 400 athletes,” he said.
“The track is in really good order and sponsorships are well and truly underway.
“At the moment, everything is all systems go.
“We have to pay thanks to Jacob Densley, who really carried the candle for the event over the past couple of years – it was his baby and we’ve taken it and run with it,”
“It’s been tough in rural communities as money is tight, so it’s pleasing to be able to offer to the district a free event which people can enjoy without having to put their hand in their pocket.”
This year’s events will be bolstered thanks to a generous donation from Bruce Fischmann which will see public address systems (PA) installed at the Terang, Mortlake and Cobden recreations reserves.
“What a fabulous donation,” Mr McConnell said.
“Bruce and his family have a long history in providing PA services to community events and organisations – I can remember them 50 years ago doing exactly the same thing,
“Bruce has donated a complete PA system for our ground at DC Farran Oval, in addition to doing the same for the Terang community and the Cobden community.
“It’s very generous.”
Mr McConnell said the addition of the PA systems would not only enhance this year’s gift events, but also all sporting and recreational events held at each recreation reserve.
“It makes an enormous difference in ways which you just don’t realise,” he said.
“Terang and Mortlake use the ground on a number of occasions to run matches.
“There’s never been large enough events which required a PA to be installed just for the few days but all of a sudden you can make announcements about raffles and all sorts of community participation ideas.
“To now have the capacity to keep the crowd informed is a huge result for the reserve.”
The Mortlake Gift will be held at the DC Farran Oval with racing to begin from 11am.