General News
19 September, 2023
Recreation reserve rising again
SOUTH Purrumbete’s recreation reserve is slowly being brought back to life by a new committee of management, spurred by community support.
SOUTH Purrumbete’s recreation reserve is slowly being brought back to life by a new committee of management, spurred by community support.
The reserve, which has been part of the South Purrumbete area for over 100 years, has not been in use since the South Purrumbete Football Netball Club folded in the early 2000s.
The grounds had previously been used as a site for pony racing but has not seen football action since the 90s.
South Purrumbete Recreation Reserve Committee of Management chairperson Becky McCann said the South Purrumbete community was the driving force behind the beginnings of the restoration.
“We’re now building community again around it,” she said.
“I think that there’s a lot of memories that were created here, particularly those that were part of the old South Purrumbete Football Club.
“A lot of the people who were involved had a connection through their football club, and they were also local at some point people.
“That’s a big driver; when you have a community space like this, and to see it kind of being let go, and that’s okay, but I also think it’s really exciting when you actually ask the community what they want and they’re like ‘I’d like to see this place revitalised’, and it’s like ‘Well, let’s do it’.”
The reserve grounds were one of three known football grounds in the area, with football played in paddocks near Tandarook and down Walshs Road.
Ms McCann said the committee are still looking into the history of the reserve, especially since the reserve has moved around in the past.
“This site has had a long history of community gatherings. There used to be an athletics carnival that was here, as well as cricket, netball, you name it; football, all that stuff going on,” she said.
“There’s been something for a very long time.
“It’s the last community asset that is left in South Purrumbete. There’s the Carpendeit Hall, which is where the old football club have their memorial boards; they’re in there at the moment, which is great that they’re still local.
“The hall’s been converted to a house; it’s just general decline that has happened everywhere across rural areas, but at the same time, even though there’s that decline there’s still a need and a want by people to have these spaces.”
With more sporting clubs growing, as well as the introduction of female teams, the South Purrumbete Recreation Reserve Committee of Management have been receiving expressions of interest from cricket clubs in the area who are looking for facilities.
Ms McCann said while there was a lot of work to do to bring the recreation reserve to a useable state, she finds the opportunity to work towards the needs of community sporting groups “exciting”.
“The base that we’re starting from is very low; when we took this on there was we had no power, no water,” she said.
“It’s a good place to start.
“It’s all about community; that’s what our big aim is, is to get it being used again as a community hub for sport but also community get-togethers and things like that.”
Ms McCann said the reserve has a “great and rich” history, especially around the South Purrumbete Football Netball Club.
“They were the Panthers, and their jersey was black with a green stripe. Which is kind of unique; it’s not like what you see around anymore,” she said.
“The connections from the footy club are far and wide; every second person that you talk to has a connection to the football club in the area.
“We, being the committee of management for the rec reserve, we’ve been able to work with the last cohort of the Football club, and with their blessing we’ve been able to make a footy club without having a footy club.
“We’re in the beginnings of having a social club.”
To raise revenue for the revitalization of the reserve, a membership system has been established.
“It’s an annual subscription; $120 or people can sign up monthly $10 for 10; $10 on the tenth of the month,” Ms McCann said.
“That’s tying in with the social outcomes and community outcomes of bringing people together.”
South Purrumbete Recreation Reserve Committee of Management member Luke Reynolds said there were benefits that came with being a member for the recreation reserve.
“We have a newsletter; we’ll get one out soon. It will be a bit of history stuff, and a bit of updates about what we’re doing and about the events coming forward,” he said.
“Gets you free entry into our events. We’re going to do some merchandise; footy jumpers, that sort of thing, and South Purrumbete shirts and hats maybe.”