Rochester Football Netball Club’s funding call

The RFNC community is passionate about improving their clubrooms so all of its players, members and supporters can enjoy the space.

They are appealing to all levels of government to receive funding to replace the changing and social rooms to make them wheelchair accessible and all-gender suitable.

“It isn’t really suitable for men and women,” president Justin Cleary said.

“The space is really small, and it’s a bit archaic.

“We’ve got a lot of things that we could improve on.”

Mr Cleary said the space was a valuable asset not only for the club, but for the wider community who also use the rooms.

Its potential extends to emergency management, with the Rochester Recreation Reserve acting as a central meeting place following the 2022 floods.

“It’s a big precinct, an important precinct for the region,” Mr Cleary said.

“It’s a twin oval facility, and it’s an expansive space, so we think we have a really strong case.

“Post-floods ‘22, it became a hub... because we were one of the few places that was useable.

“So it’s been recognised as a really strong recovery centre, but not in its current condition.”

RFNC has been proactive in its campaigning for funding, facilitating discussions with Campaspe Shire Council, developing detailed designs for its future space and fundraising for a co-contribution.

Mr Cleary feels that being organised puts the club in good stead when grants open up and budgets are tabled.

“We are working with the local council to get funding for the detailed drawings which is about $350,000-400,000, which our club and recreation reserve is committing money to,” he said.

“It’s a medium to long-term plan rather than a short-term plan, but you’ve got to really get your ducks in a row, so that’s what we’re doing.

“We’ve got approvals and support right up through the AFL level that these facilities need upgrading.”

To support their contributions, RFNC has organised a raffle, with a new Toyota Prado up for grabs.

Tickets are $200, with 1000 available, to be drawn at RFNC’s last home game on Saturday, August 16 at 5pm.

“The profits from that will be siloed for this project,” Mr Cleary said.

“Obviously, that’s not going to be enough money to make a $5 million project, but we need to make sure we’ve got our share of funding organised to be used for leverage for grants.

“We’re getting signs of support from governments already, so we’re on the right path.”

To view an interactive panorama of the proposed vision, head to tinyurl.com/rochyclubrooms

Raffle tickets can be purchased at raffletix.com.au/rochesterfncraffle2025