Burras to the CORE

Minyip Murtoa Football and Netball Club has become the first sporting club in the Wimmera to sign up to the Women’s Health Grampians, Communities of Respect and Equality Alliance, CORE.

The CORE Alliance is a partnership of organisations, businesses, clubs, groups and networks from across the administrative Grampians region that shares a vision for safe, equal and respectful communities.

Burras president Scott Arnold said the decision to become part of the alliance had been put to the club board by one of its directors. “It was an easy decision for us really,” he said. “It aligns very strongly with our strategic plan, particularly our club mission regarding being a fully inclusive club and our community focus area to provide a family-fun environment.

“It also aligns with our values and behaviours including caring for and including each other and respect.”

Women’s Health Grampians chief executive Marianne Hendron said the CORE plan was for people who believed that by taking action to promote change, communities could be better places in which to live.

“This plan has been developed to help guide and direct individual and collective work in building communities of respect and equality and prevent violence against women before it occurs,” she said.

“Sporting clubs play a huge part of regional communities and can contribute so much to social issues like this.

“We are really pleased the Burras have shown leadership in this area and we hope other sporting clubs across the Wimmera follow suit.

“We have several sporting clubs that have made the commitment around the Ballarat area, but the Burras are the first in the Wimmera.”

During the next 12 months the Burras plan to work with members to develop a direction that demonstrates its commitment to CORE, including breaking down stereotypes, building equity in facilities and services and developing policies and procedures.

“We have done a lot of work recently on our club strategic planning,” Mr Arnold said.

“We know what’s important to us as a club and what we stand for.

“We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and family-friendly club with respect at our core.

“We believe these values make us a club of choice for everyone.

“Becoming part of CORE and delivering club actions to help meet its vision will help us engrain our values even further.

“Wimmera football and netball has done a great job through White Ribbon to shine a light on violence against women.

“CORE takes this one step further into developing real actions.

“We will also be talking to Wimmera Football League and the Wimmera Netball Association about getting involved.”