HE Parker Reserve located at the end of Heathmont Road in Heathmont is a major sporting facility within Maroondah and is home to Football, Cricket, Netball and Tennis.

This afternoon I launched the lighting upgrade for HE Parker Reserve Tennis Club, a project that was collaboratively funded through Maroondah City Council, the State Government and the tennis club.

The lights for the tennis courts means that the club is able to play night matches, extending the club’s ability to hold tennis sessions into the evening and thus assisting in further growing its membership.

The speech I provided at the opening of the HE Parker Reserve Lighting is available within this post:

Good afternoon and welcome to the opening of the HE Parker Reserve Tennis Club Lighting.

In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge that we are meeting on land for which the Wurundjeri people have been custodians for many centuries, and on land which the Indigenous Australians have performed age old ceremonies.

On behalf of the Maroondah community I would like to thank the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs, the Honourable James Merlino MP for his attendance here today, as well as Shaun Leane the Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region.

I would also like to welcome my fellow Councillors:

• Cr Tony Dib
• Cr Ann Fraser
• Cr Paul Macdonald

As well as Frank Dixon, Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Helen Croxford, the Director of Community and Leisure Services and the council staff who assisted with this project.

Apologies were received from Cr Natalie Thomas who would have liked to have been here but has unfortunately been tied up with work commitments.  Apologies were also received by David Hodgett MLA, Member for Kilsyth and Heidi Victoria MLA, Member for Bayswater.

I am pleased to see so many participants and committee members from the HE Parker Reserve Tennis Club here today. It is also pleasing to welcome Council staff who have been involved in the project.

This facility is home to HE Parker Reserve Tennis Club, which provides a range of social and competitive tennis from juniors through to veterans and a full time resident coach. Over the past two years the Club has increased their membership from 160 to 220 members and it is great to see such a significant increase in participation levels at the Club.

I would like to thank the HE Parker Reserve Tennis Club for initiating the application for the upgrade to the lighting.

The additional lighting now increases the ability to use all six courts for night competitions, enabling all of the registered night teams to play at their home club. The Club is also able to provide more evening coaching to members and the local community.

On behalf of Council and the facility users, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the State Government for its contribution. Without their support of $28,091 this project would not have been possible.

Maroondah City Council also contributed $18,726 towards the project, demonstrating our commitment to the provision of high quality facilities to enhance local sport.

I would also like to acknowledge the $9,363 contributed to the project by HE Parker Reserve Tennis Club.

Council would like to acknowledge the dedication of the Committee and Club in working with Council to see the project to its conclusion.

HE Parker Tennis Club is a progressive club that works hand in hand with Council to improve facilities for their members and the community and are an excellent example of a well managed community tennis club.

Congratulations to you all for your commitment and dedication to this project.