TO help kick-start a fundraising effort to go toward upgrades to Princess Park’s facilities, the club’s that utilise the grounds are holding a movie fundraiser on Wednesday, October 24.
The event will see The Merger screened at Shepparton’s Village Cinema from 6:30pm. In the tradition of The Castle and Ali’s Wedding, one of Australia’s most popular comedians, Damian Callinan adapts his entertaining and topical stage play, The Merger for the big screen. Bodgy Creek is a struggling town. The drought won’t let up, jobs are scarce after the mill was shut down, and the footy team looks like it will have to merge with another club or fold. Living a hermit-like existence on the town’s fringe, former football star turned ‘Town Killer’ Troy Carrington (Damian Callinan), is coaxed into rescuing the team after striking up an unlikely friendship with young Neil (Rafferty Grierson) who is struggling with the recent loss of his father.
Teaming up with Neil’s mum Angie (Kate Mulvany, The Great Gatsby) who runs a nearby refugee support centre, they unite to recruit the new arrivals to save the team and take the community on a journey of change. But for some, like Neil’s grandfather and Club President, Bull (fan-favourite, John Howard, SeaChange) and ‘star’ player Carpet Burn (Angus McLaren, Hotel Mumbai), it’s more change than they’re willing to take.
Shepparton & Youth Club United Cricket Club senior committee member, Steven Nash said, “We are raising funds to help the Shepparton & Youth Club United Cricket Club, The Shepparton Swans Football Club, The Shepparton Swans Netball Club and The Shepparton Runners club get new facilities at our home ground in Shepparton, Princess Park.
“At the moment we all have separate facilities and none of them are sufficient, so with the help of a new master plan for the site by Greater Shepparton City Council we are starting the long road to a joint facility.”
