Wednesday, 17 May 2023

Point Cook football clubs

Mathew HILAKARI (Point Cook) (10:11): I was honoured, and I am sure members would be aware of this already, to present the first Point Cook Community Cup. It is the first time that the division 1 men’s football teams, the Sharks and the Bulldogs, have played each other in Point Cook – two great community football clubs. I congratulate Point Cook –

Darren Cheeseman interjected.

Mathew HILAKARI: I back everyone who plays for Point Cook. I backed the Point Cook Football Club, which got the four-point victory on the day, as well as the Point Cook Centrals Sporting Club – so the Dogs have got up; the Sharks, though, got off to an absolute flyer in the first quarter. They had risen to division 1 after winning the flag last season. Why am I talking about this? It is because of the dire need for sporting facilities – and quality sporting facilities – in the electorate. We have been very supportive of this. We put over $1 million towards the Point Cook Football Club’s sporting facility, but it is about a third of the way there. So I am calling to see that council and others go and support the footy club as well, because our community deserves the quality sporting facilities of every community across the state. I am so pleased that the minister is here, who has been recently out in Point Cook and is such a huge advocate and deliverer in the electorate of Point Cook. Thank you, Minister.