More than 7500 attend Colac AFL match
Colac has appeared across national and international sporting media, during the Colac Otway Shire-hosted 2020 AFL Marsh Community Series match between Geelong and Essendon.
Colac Otway Shire Mayor Cr Jason Schram said the event was a huge success and he had received positive feedback from spectators, community group representatives and the AFL.
"From all reports, the AFL was really pleased with Colac's Central Reserve (Australian Lamb Company Stadium) as a venue and both clubs were happy to come to Colac," Cr Schram said.
"The efforts of Council staff, particularly the Parks and Gardens team and Economic Development team, has really paid off.
"Colac's Central Reserve was well presented and the ground itself was in great condition, certainly up there with the best regional sporting grounds in the country.
"An event of this scale, with more than 7500 people through the gate, takes a great deal of resources and management to coordinate volunteers and staff.
"However there are many benefits for the community and the shire, including the national and international promotion of Colac and potential boost for tourism.
"Hosting a major event of this calibre also gives the Colac and district community a chance to show its true spirit.
"We had Rotary members volunteering on the gates, Colac's Scouts helping to clean up during and after the games, and members from local sporting clubs assisting with catering as pre-season fundraisers.
"I'm so proud of our community and shire for proving our ability to work together to deliver another major sporting event and I want to sincerely thank everyone who supported or attended yesterday's games.
"Having a late afternoon match on Monday of the long weekend seemed to have a minimal impact on spectator numbers.
"I think it was great timing, with the completion of the duplicated Princes Highway, to show Geelong and Melbourne visitors how easy it is to drive to Colac Otway," Cr Schram said.
"We can look forward to some of those spectators returning as day trippers or holiday makers, or even potential new residents who've now had a glimpse of what our shire has to offer."
