La Trobe MP Jason Wood with Emerald Football Club past and present players announces an election promise for a pavilion upgrade. 50726Picture: Nigel Clements
By Casey Neill and Tania Martin
LA TROBE MP Jason Wood has gone on a half-million dollar spending spree for sports and fire safety as the Federal Government campaign trail heats up.
He has pledged $500,000 to the Emerald Football Club if a Liberal Government was elected on 21 August.
The cash would be used to help realise a 20-year dream for a pavilion upgrade at the Chandler Reserve.
Club president Bill Kuys said the $650,000 project would see the clubrooms almost doubled.
“We had our fingers crossed we could get some sort of government support,” Mr Kuys said.
“It will entice more players to come to the club…we are ecstatic.”
The announcement was made at Emerald’s home game on 17 July, giving many of the players inspiration before their matches.
“This means a future for the club,” Mr Kuys said.
“We have built up our numbers over the past few years and are the only club in the league with a full complement of teams in every division – and we even have three grades in netball.”
Mr Kuys said the pavilion extension would allow the club to supports its players and members with functions.
“Hopefully, it will keep them at the club and when they retire others will want to join,” he said.
Mr Wood also pledged a ‘green army’ to clean a Belgrave South reserve, following pleas from residents concerned about fire danger.
He said a 10-strong group would remove overgrown vegetation and weeds, replace rotten bridges and benches and plant local natives at bushland on the corner of Kirkham and Retreat Roads.
“So it’s back to what it should be,” Mr Wood said.
In May, nearby residents urged Yarra Ranges Council to reduce fire fuel at the reserve.
“It needs to be done before the next fire season and I’ll be making sure that happens,” Mr Wood said.
“Worst case scenario is I’ll get out there myself.”
The clean-up would be a Green Army project. Mr Abbott announced the scheme in January.
Young people aged 18 to 25 would earn $300 a week to help community and church groups with environment projects.
