COULD the sheds from the decomissioned Dhurringile Prison improve the Murchison-Toolamba Football Netball Club’s facilities? The Hoppers’ clubrooms, built in 1981, are outdated, ranking among the worst five per cent nationally, according to AFL officials.
State Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, has urged the Victorian Government to explore transferring the sheds to the club, which struggles to secure funding due to playing on Crown land. Consequently, the club can only obtain funding for facility development directly from the state, but the current Labor Government has ignored their requests. The club aims to relocate the sheds to the Recreation Reserve where they play, utilising them as their clubrooms.
Ms Lovell has visited the site and raised the issue in Parliament last week, highlighting the club’s past ties with the prison through its outreach program.
“The club has had a close association with the prison, including hosting prisoners as players through the prison outreach program. It’s a great opportunity for the prison and the Victorian government to consider ways they can give back to the football club, which has been overlooked for funding in the past,” said Ms Lovell.
Relocating and repurposing the sheds would result in significant financial savings for both the club and the community, while providing a lasting impact on the club and its future and prospective members.
“I urge the Minister for Corrections to meet with the Murchison-Toolamba Football Netball Club to explore opportunities for transferring to the club the sheds from the Dhurringile Prison,” said Ms Lovell.
