Media Releases

Bendigo will host one of a series of forums next month to help shape the future of recreational fishing.

The Department of Primary Industries has partnered with the VRFish organisation to stage the recreational fisheries forums around the state.

One will be held at the meeting place of the Bendigo Legion Angling Club, Getaway Rotary Park in Kangaroo Flat at 7pm on Wednesday, May 9.

MP for Northern Victoria Region, Damian Drum, said it was a great opportunity for people to have a say about recreational fisheries, network with DPI and VRFish and learn how the Coalition State Government was working hard to improve recreational fishing.

“The Government has expressed a strong commitment to broadening engagement with recreational fishers and to provide improved opportunities for recreational fishing.

“I encourage as many as possible to attend the forum, especially people from multicultural communities.”

Bendigo’s reputation for producing some of Victorian thoroughbred racing’s
most celebrated champions is set to continue with the Victorian Coalition
Government last night announcing an $80,000 grant to upgrade the club’s
synthetic training track.


Attending the Melbourne launch of Bendigo’s premier Golden Mile Raceday
last night, Minister for Racing Denis Napthine said the Bendigo
Jockey Club had a proud tradition of producing winners.


“Known as our ‘Nursery of Champions’, Bendigo is a leading racing region
with the likes of Better Loosen Up, Bletchingly and Hyperno all winning
their first races here,” Dr Napthine said.


“By making sure the training facilities at the track remain of the highest
standard, I am confident Bendigo will be the breeding ground for many more
future champions.


“Providing top quality training facilities in Bendigo is also vital in
supporting the economy and employment within the racing industry which
contributes close to $250 million annually to the north central region and
generates jobs for more than 3,500 people.


“The Coalition Government is pleased to support this project with $40,000
from the Victorian Racing Industry Fund (VRIF) while a further $40,000 will
be jointly provided by Racing Victoria and Country Racing Victoria,” Dr
Napthine said.


Bendigo Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Ian Hart said the club greatly
appreciated the support for the project which was necessary after wear and
tear, and heavy rainfall damaged the existing synthetic training facility.


“Bendigo racecourse is the training base for a large number of trainers and
horses and this upgrade will be of great benefit to those participants by
providing an improved alternative training surface,” Mr Hart said.


“The track upgrade is a joint investment between the Victorian Government
and Racing Victoria, to help resolve any drainage issues and provide a safe
and uniform surface for trainers to work their horses.


“Other works will include blending additional training synthetic material
and binder into the existing track and regulating the depth of the track,”
Mr Hart said.

Bendigonians have been urged to throw their support behind the Bendigo Braves basketball team as they do battle for the national title this weekend.
Member for Northern Victoria Region Damian Drum said the Braves would meet Nunawading at Dandenong Stadium this Saturday.
“I would really encourage people to go and support them – it will be a terrific game,” Mr Drum said.
“After losing the semi-final at home against Knox, the Braves won the quarter final against Kilsyth.
“This gave them the right to play Knox in the grand final, and they came away with an 81 – 70 victory and the conference title.
“Now they meet Dandenong in a bid to snare the national title. This would be a sensational effort if they could win this as well.”
Braves coach Ben Harvey said the team was in good form and looking forward to Saturday.
“This will be the two best teams in the two conferences, so it will be a great game,” he said.
The game starts at 3pm at Dandenong Stadium.

http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/victorian-government-reforms.html

The eagerly anticipated $296,000 tennis pavilion at Spring Gully Tennis Club was officially opened today by the Member for Northern Victoria Damien Drum.

Representing Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty, Mr Drum said the new pavilion would go a long way to accommodating the increasing numbers of locals wanting to join in the fun at the popular club.

“Our local sporting clubs are at the heart of our communities and by improving the quality of their facilities we’re helping more people get active more often,” Mr Drum said.

“The new pavilion provides the perfect opportunity for the club to cater for the growing numbers and broaden its tennis programs for club members, the community, and nearby schools, as well as host bigger competitions and events,” he said.

The new pavilion includes a sheltered viewing area, a large social and meeting space, kitchenette and new accessible toilet amenities and replaces the previous inadequate small hut.

“The new pavilion will go a long way to encouraging more people to don their tennis gear and get on the courts at the Club, regardless of the season,” Mr Drum said.

Mr Drum said the Victorian Government had contributed $60,000 towards the development of facility through the Community Facility Funding Program.

“By investing in local sport and recreation facilities like these we can further encourage people to get involved in their local clubs,” Mr Drum said.

Mr Drum acknowledged the Greater Bendigo City Council for its investment of $186,000 and the Spring Gully Tennis for their contribution of $50,000 towards the project.

“Working together we can further encourage participation in sport and recreation and improve levels of physical activity to enhance a person’s overall health and wellbeing,” he said.

Bendigo’s sporting “jewel” is back
Nationals MP for Northern Victoria Region, and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, Damian Drum, said it was a delight and an honour to help officially launch the revamped Queen Elizabeth Oval project.
“The QEO is, in many ways, the jewel in the crown of regional sport in Bendigo, and an important hub of the City of Greater Bendigo.
“This project has re-polished that jewel and reinstates its importance in the life of the region.
“For the past two years Bendigo has been unable to hold State league events because of the state of the QEO playing surface and had a dysfunctional and mostly unusable scoreboard.
“It has been a huge task involving massive earth-moving efforts and surface redevelopments, as well as new sporting infrastructure, often carried out under very trying conditions.
“It is ironic that the project started after more than a decade of record-breaking drought, and then had to proceed under record-breaking summer rains.
“From tomorrow (Saturday) we will begin to reap the rewards of that work and commitment.”
Mr Drum said the Coalition State Government had contributed $1 million to the make-over and was proud of the outcome.
The funding will also allow a second netball court to be developed. This will be ready in time for the 2012 season.
“The project will allow Bendigo to regain its position as an exciting home to high profile regional and national sporting events.”
The $2.2M redevelopment of Bendigo’s premier sporting oval – the QEO will be officially opened by Greater Bendigo Mayor Rod Fyffe and Damian Drum.

The opening will take place prior to the start of senior match between the QEO’s traditional tenants South Bendigo and Sandhurst.

Works that have taken place as part of the redevelopment project include:-
• Site clearing including removal of 15,000 cubic metres of soil;
• Preliminary earthworks to reshape the oval and provide extra space for spectators;
• Drainage works and installation of an irrigation system;
• Installation of a concrete slab to support three turf cricket pitches;
• Final surface works including the laying of 17,000 square metres of drought tolerant turf;
• Installation of new fencing;
• Construction of player/coaches shelters at the front of the grandstand;
• Construction of new concrete terraced spectator seating for approximately 400 people at the Barnard street end of the ground;
• Upgrade of the ovals lighting system to meet AFL match standards;
• Installation of a new electronic LED scoreboard;
• Resurfacing of the existing netball court; and
• Installation of new perimeter seating to the oval.

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Rod Fyffe said since 2003 Council has shown a high level of commitment to the QEO with over $7.5m being spent on works including construction of a $4.4 million multipurpose facility to serve both the Aquatic Centre and QEO, a significant upgrade of the grandstand change rooms, installation of match and training lights and connection to the recycled water pipeline.

“The redevelopment of the ground now means that Greater Bendigo has a sporting ground with the capacity to host major sporting events to local, state and national standards.

“The works commenced in late 2010 following ten of the driest years Bendigo has experienced.

“During the works phase of the project we experienced one of the wettest summers for some time and a cooler than average autumn. However despite the weather this project was still delivered basically on time.

“This has been a much needed project which has been funded by a million dollar contribution from the Victorian State Government, a $812,000 contribution from the Federal Government and a $500,000 contribution from the City of Greater Bendigo.

“It’s also been an important joint project between the State and Federal Governments and the City of Greater Bendigo that demonstrates an enormous commitment to local sport and a strong desire to make the QEO one of Victoria’s top cricket and football facilities.

“I believe the new QEO surface and facilities will provide the sporting and general community with long lasting benefits for many years to come and I can‘t think of a better way to open it than with a match between the ground’s traditional tenants Sandhurst and South Bendigo,” said Cr Fyffe.

QEO key user groups include the Sandhurst Football/Netball Club, South Bendigo Football/Netball Club, Bendigo Football/Netball League, Bendigo Bombers, Bendigo Pioneers, Bendigo Cricket club and Bendigo and District Cricket Association.

Bendigo fishing fans have a chance to have a say in the future of recreational fishing at a special forum in Kangaroo Flat next month.
“Fishing is immensely popular with the latest estimates that there are 720,000 people in Victoria who participate in the sport,” Nationals MP for Northern Victoria Region, Damian Drum said today.
“There are also strong business spin-offs from recreational fishing, and the Victorian Government wants to help develop even more opportunities.
“The Coalition State Government has made clear its strong commitment to recreational fishing.”
A series of roundtable forums is being held by the Department of Primary Industries and the Bendigo forum will take place at the Bendigo Legion Angling Club, in Station Street, Kangaroo Flat at 7pm on Thursday June 30.
State Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh has also encouraged recreational fishers to take part.

Media inquiries: Damian Drum: 5443-6277, 0407 576 604

And the winner is …..Bendigo!

Bendigo and northern Victoria were already the winners following the announcement that this year’s Bendigo Cup would be raced over 2400 metres.
The decision means the Bendigo Jockey Club will be able to attract a world class field for the 2011 Cup, which would now be a prelude to the Melbourne Cup.
Mr Drum said the BJC’s long battle to reposition the Bendigo Cup had been strongly pushed by the Coalition Government.
“Racing Minister Dr Denis Napthine and I have been very clear in our support for this development,” he said.
“It represents a true historic moment for the Jockey Club and for racing in northern Victoria, and I congratulate the Bendigo Jockey Club for its commitment and drive in bringing this about.”
He said the increase in distance from 2200 metres to 2400 metres would enable the Bendigo Cup to become a qualifying race for the Melbourne Cup.

Dr Napthine said: “The extension will enhance the Bendigo Cup’s status as an important country cup and as a significant lead-up event to the Melbourne Cup. As a Melbourne Cup qualifier, the race will attract stronger fields and higher quality horses, with the potential for attracting more international runners to the Bendigo Cup.”

Mr Drum said the move would almost certainly draw significantly larger crowds.
“It will build on the established success of Bendigo Cup Day and showcase Bendigo as a great regional club and racetrack.”

February 23, 2010

Drum welcomes racing announcements

Nationals MP for Northern Victoria, Damian Drum, has welcomed two major announcements for the Bendigo equine industry.
The Liberal/Nationals Coalition Government has announced its support for extending the Bendigo Cup from 2200 metres to 2400 metres which would allow it to become a qualifying race for the Melbourne Cup.
It also announced it would pick up half the tab for a $320,000 upgrade to harness racing facilities at Bendigo’s Lord’s Raceway.
“Both of these announcements have been very welcome in Bendigo and Northern Victoria,” Mr Drum said today.
“The Bendigo Cup is one of the real highlights of racing in regional Victoria, and while the final decision on making it a Melbourne Cup qualifier is up to Racing Victoria Limited, I’m certain the Coalition Government and the Bendigo Jockey Club will try to get the right decision for Bendigo.
“The concept works well for all involved: for Bendigo, the Jockey Club and for Victorian racing generally. It would take the Bendigo Cup to a new level.”
Mr Drum said the Lords Raceway project would leads to breakthroughs in occupational safety, environmental and economic efficiency.
The track lighting system will be able to be dimmed between races meaning a 34 per cent drop in greenhouse emissions and power costs, longer lamp life and improves safety for people at the raceway.
“In all, it’s been a red-letter day for those in the horse industry in our region,” he said.

February 25, 2010

Big QEO roll-out defies hail or high water
The long-awaited reconstruction of the surface of Bendigo’s famous Queen Elizabeth Oval enters its final stages today as contractors begin laying new turf.
The $1 million reconstruction is running to schedule despite contractors losing more than two weeks of work because of storms and heavy rain.
“The contractors and the City of Greater Bendigo have put in an enormous effort to make sure we have the best possible football and netball facilities this coming season,” Nationals MP for Northern Victoria, Damian Drum said today.
“The total rebuild of the playing surface, drainage and the sub-surface layers was made possible by an election commitment of $1 million by the Liberal/National Coalition before last year’s state election.
“People have been fascinated by the QEO project,” Mr Drum said. “I doubt most people would have realised until now how complicated a top class football oval was.
“But this was absolutely essential to the future of top level sport in Bendigo. We were losing elite sporting events because the previous Labor Government would not partner the City of Greater Bendigo fully.
The QEO became a mud-bath after rain and dangerously hard when dry, and the AFL refused to allow its players to compete because of fear of injury
‘The Coalition said it would take the job on, and we have.”
Bendigo Football Netball League CEO, Steven Oliver, said the turf laying which begins today was a fantastic moment for Bendigo football and the city generally.
He said the football surface would be ready to see action in mid-June and the first battle would be between QEO co-tenants and traditional rivals, Sandhurst and South Bendigo.
“This was much needed, and it’s been a huge job.”
Mr Oliver has a special reason to feel a connection with the major reconstruction. As the Nationals candidate for Bendigo West at the November election, he had made the QEO project one of his highest priorities.
“Steven was relentless in promoting this project both to the Coalition and then to the community,” Mr Drum said.
“So, this is also a great day for Steven.”
The new netball facilities, including spectator stands would also be completed by mid-June.