On Monday, 28 May 2007, I represented the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs in the other place and opened the Inverleigh second oval project and Rokewood Recreation Reserve redevelopment. It was a fantastic day for sport and local communities in the Golden Plains shire with the opening of these two great projects.
It is vital that communities have access to good facilities. Facilities like these do not just cater to a range of sporting groups and competitions; they also become important gathering spaces and places for the communities where good times are shared and friendships are forged.
Sport plays a vital role in regional Victoria in building community identity, solidarity and participation.
I thank the local communities for their strong support. They have shown their support by contributing more than $19 000 in cash and kind. Golden Plains Shire Council must be thanked for its contribution of nearly $230 000 towards the two projects along with the state government’s contribution of $256 000. These facilities are a fantastic example of what we can achieve when state and local governments work together to deliver the best possible outcomes for our local communities.
I thank the communities of Inverleigh and Rokewood for their great attendance at both of these functions and giving me an opportunity to discuss a whole range of local issues.