Footballers and netballers at Victoria Park in Daylesford can now take their game to the next level after the venue’s new oval and court lighting was switched on in recent days.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas joined Hepburn Shire Council representatives and the Daylesford Bulldogs Football Netball Club to officially switch on the new lighting made possible by a $250,000 investment from the state’s Country Football and Netball Program.

Mary Anne Thomas MP also acknowledged the Hepburn Shire Council for its more than $90,000 contribution to the project, and the club for its contribution of $20,000.

Up until recently, members of the Daylesford Bulldogs teams were limited in their ability to train and compete due to poor lighting.

Works at the sports ground have installed four new towers with 100 lux LED lighting around the oval and 200 lux LED lights around the netball court giving the Bulldogs players more time to perfect their game.

The new lights will also help the club host night games as well as expand on the Bulldogs teams and development programs.

Developed in partnership with AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria, the Country Football and Netball Program has invested more than $41.5 million in over 580 projects since 2005.

The Victorian Budget 2024/25 is also providing more than $23 million to continue delivery of community sport and active recreation infrastructure, and programs to increase participation opportunities and improve accessibility.

This includes continuing the Country Football and Netball Program, so more Victorians can participate.

Member for Macedon Mary Anne Thomas: “Clubs like the Bulldogs are the heart and soul of the community. The new lights provide even more reason for locals to come down and join in the fun at Victoria Park.”

The Daylesford Football Netball Club may just be kicking and shooting more goals in the near future after receiving state funding for a lighting upgrade at its home base.

The Member for Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas announced in recent days that Victoria Park in Daylesford is among 12 facilities across Victoria to share in more than $2.5 million from the latest round of the Country Football and Netball Program.

All up for Daylesford, $250,000 will now go to the installation of 200 lux LED lighting on the netball court, and 100 lux LED lighting on the oval at the popular local venue.

Also in the electorate of Macedon, The Riddells Creek Recreation Reserve has received $200,000 under the same program, to install 100 lux LED lighting on its oval.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas: “Footy, netball and cricket clubs are the heart and soul of Macedon.

“This boost will go a long way to helping the mighty Riddell Bombers and the Daylesford Bulldogs cater for the growing number of people keen to get involved in grassroots sport, providing more opportunities for locals to get active and play the sport they love.”

A big summer of cricket awaits at Ballarat’s Victoria Park following the completion of a project to construct four cricket nets.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson and CEO Evan King were joined by Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison in recent days to officially open the Victoria Park Community Cricket Nets project.

As part of the $5.8 million Victoria Park Sport and Community Facility, the project worth almost $500,000 will provide three new nets for the Lucas Cricket Club and another net for community use.

The City of Ballarat contributed $397,808 to the project, while the State Government contributed $100,000 via its 2022 Community Cricket Program – Community Facilities stream.

The project replaced existing cricket nets which were no longer fit for purpose.

The completion of the nets follows the recent opening of the adjacent pavilion on Military Drive and the completion of two soccer pitches that double as a cricket oval in summer.

Three of the nets will be dedicated for use by the Lucas Cricket Club, with the fourth being accessible to the entire community. The Ballarat Cricket Association will also hold female representative team trials and training sessions at the site.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the new nets were part of a suite of new facilities being rolled out in the municipality.

The City of Ballarat has also completed the Russell Square and Doug Dean Reserve cricket nets in the last 12 months and is currently constructing nets at Mt Clear Recreation Reserve.

“Seeing these projects come to life makes me incredibly proud because I know just how much benefit they will bring,” Cr Hudson said.

“The Lucas Cricket Club has more than 100 active players, but I’m sure those numbers will grow even further when people see facilities like this.

“The Victoria Park Community Cricket Nets project is another sign of our commitment to delivering a better Ballarat.”

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said the project would benefit both the Lucas Cricket Club and the broader community.

“This is great news for the Lucas Cricket Club who now have a fantastic new facility to practice their batting and bowling and for the wider community who will benefit from access to the dedicated publicly accessible lane,” she said.

“I am proud that the Allan Labor Government’s Community Cricket Program – Community Facilities stream is supporting local cricket clubs and players in Ballarat.”

Lucas Cricket Club president Dave Horwood said the nets had already had a massive impact on the club.

“The new cricket nets at Victoria Park have given our club a massive boost of enthusiasm and morale,” he said.

“Player numbers are up, training participation numbers have doubled and junior participation has increased three-fold, including an increase in our girls cricket program.” 

People could be forgiven for thinking English actor Jason Statham had taken up playing table tennis at Victoria Park in Daylesford.

‘He’ was snapped by internationally renowned photographer and Hepburn resident Margund Sallowsky.
The man in the photo is actually Julian McLucas, also from Hepburn.

You can meet him and others at the Vic Park Table Tennis Centre on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 10am to noon. www.msphotographics.com.a