Photo caption: From left, Navarre Sports Association secretary Barry Fletcher, Cr Murray Emerson, Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, deputy mayor Justine Hide, mayor Karen Hyslop and Navarre Football Netball Club president Luke Martin at the official unveiling of the $2.1 million Navarre Recreation Reserve upgrade.
Navarre community is celebrating the completion of a $2.1 million recreation reserve redevelopment designed to increase participation in sport and ensure long-term sustainability for the district's clubs.
The reserve is home to Navarre Sports Association, which incorporates Navarre Football Netball Club and Navarre Cricket Club.
It is also a vital community hub, with non-sport users including Navarre Historical Society, Landcare group, Country Fire Authority, Navarre Primary School, and local church groups.
The Navarre Recreation Reserve Upgrade was funded by $1.45 million from Northern Grampians Shire Council, $600,000 from the State Government's Local Community Sport and Recreation Projects Fund and $50,000 from Navarre Sports Association.
At an official opening ceremony on Thursday afternoon, mayor Karen Hyslop said the project was a direct outcome of the Navarre Community Plan and reflected the community's strong advocacy and clear priorities.
"This upgrade represents a significant investment in the future of sport and recreation in Navarre and is a significant step forward in providing inclusive, modern facilities that better support female participation, helping to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be involved," she said.
The project includes four female-friendly change rooms with amenities; two female-friendly umpires change rooms with amenities; upgraded function and social space; and upgraded public amenities.
All facilities conform to AFL, Cricket Australia and Netball Victoria standards.
"Importantly, this reserve serves a much broader purpose than sport alone," Cr Hyslop said.
"It is a true community hub, used by a range of local groups, and this upgrade strengthens the reserve's role as a shared space that brings people together and supports the wider Navarre community.
"Planning and design for this project commenced in 2022, and it is a pleasure to now see the project completed and ready to be enjoyed by the community."
Cr Hyslop said the project would not have been possible without strong partnerships, thanking the State Government and Navarre Sports Association for their significant contributions.
"This shared commitment demonstrates what can be achieved when government and community work together," she said.
"Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this project — from council staff and funding partners, AFL, Netball Victoria, Cricket Victoria, to builders, sporting clubs and community members. This is a project delivered through collaboration, and it is something the community can be proud of."
Navarre Sports Association secretary Barry Fletcher said the opening was an incredibly important milestone for his community.
"This has been a very long time in the making, as all these important projects are," he said.
"It's been a very rewarding process – I've been heavily invested in this project since day one. Navarre is an incredibly special place and that's primarily because of the community and the culture that's existed here for generations.
"Historically, we've been a very self-reliant and resilient community. Previously, everything you could see here at the reserve had quite literally been built by the community themselves.
"To have this partnership with council and the State Government and all the various bodies is absolutely fantastic."
Mr Fletcher said while the football-netball club was the reserve's primary user, with 190 players donning the Grasshoppers' colours, the reserve was very much a community hub.
"Often people don't have any real care for football or netball, but they come here because it is the meeting place," he said.
"One of the real benefits is we have eight-year-olds and 80-year-olds socialising together and I think that's more important than ever the way society is going these days.
"It's my privilege to thank everyone who has been part of this project."
Member for Ripon Martha Haylett unveiled a plaque to officially open the reserve upgrade.
Ms Haylett said sport was the lifeblood of rural communities such as Navarre.
"It is so important that netballers, footballers and cricketers have the best facilities," she said.
"That's why I'm so proud that the State Labor Government has helped transform the recreation reserve, with great new facilities for everyone to enjoy year-round.
"I want to thank every one of the Grasshoppers who advocated for this and helped make it happen. It's been years in the making, and they deserve the very best."
