Liam Durkin
THE new Trafalgar multi-use pavilion at the recreation reserve is starting to take shape.
Sporting clubs in the town rejoiced last July when it was announced Baw Baw Shire Council received funding from the state government to construct the facility.
The $3.2 million pavilion is being built behind the current soccer pitches, and once completed, will support the needs of Trafalgar Victory Soccer Club, Trafalgar Football-Netball Club, Trafalgar Boxing Gym and Trafalgar Cricket Club.
To the uninhibited, the construction of a new pavilion would not warrant much fanfare, but those close to the scene know just how big a battle it has been to get to this point.
With the complex set to be completed later this year, Trafalgar resident Mick Bourke OAM has put forward a submission to BBSC that the Turra family be formally recognised within the complex.
The Turra brothers – Jim, Frank and Dominic – the original owners of the land, decided to sell their family farm next to the Trafalgar Recreation Reserve at the same time the Trafalgar community was negotiating with council to adopt a masterplan for the reserve in the early 2000s.
The Turra family had opportunities to sell the land at a higher price than that eventually offered by council, but declined such offers as it wanted to see the land used by the community.
They did this without knowing whether or not council would eventually purchase the land.
BBSC Place Names Advisory Committee received Mr Bourke’s proposal and suggested that it be called ‘Turra Family Pavilion’, to which the Turra family has agreed.
The committees of the four clubs at the recreation precinct have also endorsed the proposal.
Mr Bourke is now encouraging individuals to submit their own support for the proposal.
“I think it’s important that local people, in this case a local family, be recognised for the contribution to the precinct,” he said.
“Without the Turra brothers hanging onto the land and waiting for council to be able to purchase it – that wouldn’t have occurred.
“It’s important that the history of places such as this are retained and don’t get lost, and the naming of the pavilion ensures that the contribution of the Turra family is not lost.”
Mr Bourke himself was instrumental in a steering committee that developed the original strategic plan of the recreation reserve in the early 2000s, along with Peter Williams, Larry Cutler, Kathy West and Jo Porter.
Soccer and boxing will be the biggest winners out of the pavilion in the immediate future, while football and cricket will have to wait until an oval is cleared to be able to utilise the facility in full.
Area to the north of the soccer facility has been touted as the most practical location for a second oval. The space is currently a paddock and has been used as a car park in the past.
It is reasonably expected a second oval will provide a long awaited turf wicket square for the Trafalgar Cricket Club. The turf wicket saga, confined to the status of running gag at the cricket club for many years, now appears an actual realistic possibility.
The pavilion project is being jointly funded by a $500,000 grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Female Friendly Facilities Fund and the $2.7 million balance by Baw Baw Shire Council.
Submissions for support to have the name Turra Family Pavilion bestowed are required in wiring or email by Monday, May 17 2021.
Those who would like to make a submission can do so by emailing bawbaw@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au or sending correspondence to PO Box 304, Warragul 3820.
