This week thirty years ago saw the official opening of the Benalla All Blacks Football Netball Club Social Clubrooms. The opening was the celebration of an enormous effort by the club and community members volunteering numerous hours of their time over a period of approximately 3 years. This community spirit is one that must be commended and now reflected upon thirty years later.
Not wanting to single out individuals, as it really was a team effort, there are some however who need to be acknowledged. Vern Train and Alan Brock were instrumental offering their expertise and Ken Levy was their right hand man, without these three gentlemen the project would not have come to fruition. All three men gave up their time and contributed great skill in planning the build and executing these plans to completion.
The committee, building committee, their partners and families of the time worked extraordinarily well together from the initial idea of the project through to completion, many of these members also applied their professional trades to the construction of the building. They gave up great amounts of time, skill and energy all for the betterment of the club and community alike. Several footballers and netballers were also involved and they deserve recognition.
Numerous fundraising events were carried out to raise funds. The creation of Gold Star Members, of which each member donated $100, saw enough capital raised in order to acquire a loan for the project to begin. These Members can be seen on a board in the social clubrooms today.
Jan and Gerry Crothers and volunteers must be acknowledged for organising and running a bingo night to raise funds to pay for the loan that was acquired. This bingo night still runs to this day on a Friday night in the clubrooms. The hiring of the hall for various community and social functions also helped to raise funds and it has been a valuable asset for the clubs own functions. The hall also houses some great memorabilia worthy of checking out next time you come down to watch a game.
After personally witnessing the construction of the Social Clubrooms thirty years ago and recently watching three hours of video footage I am astounded as to what a huge effort this project was and how well all involved worked together to take it from an idea to reality. Far more real than the reality television we witness today! Tad Madej needs to be commended for the filming he did of the whole creation.
At some point this year the club will endeavor to have an informal get together for some of those involved to reconnect and reminisce on a great community story.
Last Modified on 15/09/2019 21:17
