Benambra rallies to keep one-off football-netball match alive

A major community working bee has ensured Benambra will host its annual match this Saturday as the fight for funding goes on.

Omeo-Benambra players, coaches and volunteers have rallied to ensure the club’s once-a-season match at Benambra goes ahead on Saturday.

Urgent upgrades to meet AFL minimum child safety standards for showers and toilets and other improvements have been carried out in recent weeks to guarantee the match against Buchan in the Omeo District league can be played at one of the state’s most remote venues.

Omeo-Benambra plays the majority of its matches at Omeo, but under a deal struck when the two clubs merged in 2007, Benambra had to host one match.

Benambra won the 2006 Omeo District premiership before a merger with Omeo the following season.

But facilities at the state government-owned Benambra Memorial Recreation Reserve have deteriorated as frustration grows at the inability to secure external funding to carry out the required improvement works.

Omeo-Benambra committee member, A grade netball coach and local farmer Amanda Pendergast was part of a major working bee at the ground on Sunday.

“Our small community can’t keep it going forever without some outside help,” she said.

“It’s so important that this game keeps going for the community.

“We want (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action) and the state government to take some responsibility and keep these really important community facilities going.

“It’s not just us using it.

“It’s the Benambra Neighbourhood House, the angling club uses it during trout season and wakes, parties are also held there.”

Omeo-Benambra captain Brandon Betts and local builder has played a major role in ensuring the game at Benambra can go ahead. Picture: Supplied

Australian Defence Force personnel also used the ground as a base camp during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.

An estimated $500,000 would cover the cost of other upgrades needed in the kitchen and changerooms.

“We don’t want to lose this game under any circumstances,” she said.

“Buchan, who we play on Saturday, are itching to come up here.”

Omeo-Benambra A grade netball coach Amanda Pendergast helps out at the working bee held at the Benambra ground. Picture: Supplied

Meanwhile, rival clubs Buchan and Swifts Creek are using temporary changeroom facilities at their grounds as replacements remain under construction.

Buchan won’t have use of its new changerooms this season, but those at Swifts Creek will be ready when the club hosts this year’s grand final in late August.

“We understand it’s been a challenge for a lot of players not to have proper changerooms so far this season,” Omeo District league president Ray Gallagher said.

“But the long-term benefit they will bring to our communities when they are finished can’t be underestimated.”

Originally published as Benambra rallies to keep one-off football-netball match alive