Ellinbank clubs light up for sport

The official switch-on of new ground lighting at the Ellinbank recreation reserve last Wednesday evening was another step in a series of major upgrades over recent years at the venue.

Member of Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing flicked the switch on the lighting towards which the State Government contributed $80,000 from its country football and netball program and Baw Baw Shire Council provided a further $100,000.

The 100 lux lights had already proved their value during the current football season being used for training and Friday night games play by the Ellinbank teams in the Warragul and District Junior Football League.

The reserve is home to the Ellinbank Football Netball Club and the Ellinbank Cricket Club that have a total of more than 470 players.

Ms Shing said the previous inadequate lighting led to reduced usage of the ground, increased risk to player safety by training on poorly lighted areas and damage to the surface with the better lighted areas over utilised.

The new lighting will support and encourage ongoing participation in sport, she said.

Baw Baw shire mayor Joe Gauci said the 100 lux lights installed on four 25-metre high towers replaced dull 22 lux level lighting.

He said council was committed to investing in grassroots infrastructure to ensure the community has facilities it deserves.

EFNC president Rob Pandolfo welcomed the enhanced lighting and the funding for it. also pointing out that most of the recent upgrades to facilities were the result of local fund-raising and in-kind assistance.

He said the football netball club had contributed $400,000 and many local tradesmen and businesspeople had provided services free or at minimal cost to enable the works.

These included new AFL endorsed changerooms that accommodate men’s and women’s teams, umpires and timekeepers; installation of an electronic scoreboard, upgrades to the social clubrooms, major improvements at the netball courts and new footpaths around the reserve.

The netballers are now benefit from new lighting for training and court renovation and expansion to comply with Netball Australia standards.

The works have been on the agenda for a long time, Mr Pandolfo said, pointing out that the former football changerooms were built in the 1950s.

“We’ve now stepped up to the plate facilities wise,” he said.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing (third from left) joins in the excitement with some Ellinbank football netball club juniors, from left, Goergia Davidson, Reagan Joyce, Jessica Wilms, Dakota Eade, Izzy Spinks and Jess Atherton after the new...