JUBILEE OVAL VOLUNTEERS GROUP FORMED
One of Broken Hill’s leading venues is looking for friends.
For over a century Jubilee Oval has been the city’s main sporting hub hosting everything from Football to Cricket to Softball and Rugby League Finals.
In order to maintain the Oval known locally as the Jube the call has gone out to form a Volunteers Group to assist in maintaining Broken Hill’s premier sporting facility.
“ We need some help”, said Rod Garner who has volunteered to coordinate the Jubilee Oval Volunteers (JOV) group.
“ The day to day running of the Jube is the responsibility of AFL Broken Hill who act as trustees for the State Government and significant money is invested to maintain the facility. “
“ It is a Crown Reserve site so we don’t receive any annual funding to help offset the huge costs associated with keeping the gates open.”
AFL Broken Hill employ a caretaker who works on a part time basis but Mr Garner said with the increased use of the Jube it is becoming obvious the job has outgrown one person.
“ There is much to do not just on the Oval itself but the surrounding area including updating and improving our infrastructure.”
“ Over the past 5 years we have renovated the Grandstand, installed the digital scoreboard, planted trees and upgraded the change rooms so it is an ongoing task. “
The time has come Mr Garner said to see if there are people who would be interested in forming a volunteers group to help with this work.
“ We are just looking for those who may be retired or semi retired that can put their hand up to help out for an hour or 2 a week. “
“ If we can get a group of 10 or more it certainly would add to the appeal of the Jube and I am sure the volunteers would benefit themselves by doing some community work and being able to mix with other people.
“ We are on the hunt for painters, weeders, welders, mowers, green thumbs and cleaners, “ Mr Garner said.
“ There is no special requirement for our volunteers and we are encouraging women to be involved as well.”
Outside the oval complex there are some 50 trees that all need to be weeded, fertilised and shaped.
It is not only the outdoor work that is on the agenda as there are a number of projects on the drawing board including the restoration of the memorabilia inside Lionel Johnston House.
“ We would love to create a football museum within our administration centre we have so many photos that need collating and hung. “
“Our first major project will be to assist with the installation of a new watering ring line on the ground that will allow watering of the oval manually. Whilst we have a great watering system with some 90 sprinklers we still need the ability to target specific areas of need and this upgrade will achieve that outcome plus allow access to water the trees at either end of the parking areas,” Mr Garner said.
One man who is still doing his bit for an Oval that has become his second home is Lionel Johnston.
As he approaches his 91st birthday the sprightly figure can still be seen walking the Oval pulling out weeds or turning on a tap, a sight that is not uncommon for Rod Garner;.
“ He is an inspiration. “
“ For almost 50 years this man has done more than anyone to care for Jubilee Oval and we feel it is time we encouraged a few more people to give him a hand.”
For those interested in becoming a Jubilee Oval Volunteer can contact Rod Garner on 0427 137 262
Last Modified on 27/11/2013 17:04