The AFL Goal Posts placed on the oval March 2001 at the South End – North end sited early May 2002.
Electricity connected to the VMMR site by TXU February 2002 with a connection to the Club Rooms and Toilet Block May 2002. The Shire gave the Committee $1,823 towards the cost of that regard and after five of no electrical supply. We will now be able to use the club rooms at night as well as have a refrigerator, an urn, a microwave and heating, as well as being able to use a vacuum on our new carpet.
Carpeting of Club Rooms and vinyl in the kitchen completed April 2002. An Easter Basket Raffle was held and raised $703 and added to this $250 raised Easter 2001, as well as a donation from Telstra Wide of $132, allowed the Committee to finish the floors, with $464 going to the General Account.
The Sub-Committee is working well towards an Aquatic Aerobic Pool – site was chosen, and included on the Planning Permit early 2003, funds being raised and discussions with The Shire to take place, plans prepared etc.
Maintenance of the 80 acres is ongoing and is a regular task requiring many hours of work – the VMMR is registered for “Work for the Dole” participants, and it is hoped more will become available to help with this worthwhile project.
“Hole in One” event over the 2001/2002 holiday period was well attended and added considerably to the fundraising of the Golf Club, First Prize being a weekend away for two at Cobram, including golf.
In May 2002 the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland confirmed that a beautiful 100-year-old timber church from Cowwarr (Christ Church) was available for relocation to the church site at the VMMR at Golden Beach. The Diocese pledged $7,000 towards the cost of resettlement, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sale, also pledged $7,000, leaving approximately $10,000 to be raised by the community of Golden Beach, to put towards the relocation costs as well as the cost of refurbishment. However early 2003 the Bishop agreed to leave the church at Cowwarr and recommended Golden Beach to have a new church building, and work is proceeding well towards this goal. Unfortunately, the Shire of Wellington and the Anglican Diocese were unable to move forward with a church at the VMMR. Owing to the problems with arose regarding a legal Lease on the site, which resulted in the Shire allocating a site adjacent to the Community Hall, giving full visibility of the church, and a more secure location in the centre of town.
The help we have received from our ‘work for the dole’ participant has been outstanding – we do not know how we managed without him.
Ongoing maintenance takes many hours and is a challenge to our old Fergie tractor which always needs a new part and ‘doctoring’. Fortunately, we have some volunteers who can perform magic and get it going when needed.
VMMR 