General News
19 August, 2025
Sporting complex turns 50
The Sporting Complex, now known as The Community Sports Centre, recently underwent extensive building repairs, and now the facility has marked 50 years.
The first photo of progress in the Warracknabeal Herald on May 24, 1974, was of the huge steel framework being erected.
The next photo of the complex at a much more advanced stage was on April 18, 1975, headlined "Nearing Completion" and boasting that the complex may be operating by the end of May.
However, following the stories in the paper, it took until December to be complete and operating.
The Ambitious Project
Certain council members were considering ideas for constructing a Sporting Complex from 1970, when the government at the time announced it was offering subsidies of up to $30,000 per $100,000 of expenditure for an approved Sporting Centre.
However, actual plans didn't begin until December 1972, when the council established a "Working Committee" to bring the dream to reality.
It was here that the site chosen for the complex would be on what is known as the Civic Centre of the town.
This site on the corner of Anderson and Lyle Streets was first the home of Warracknabeal State School from 1879 to 1960.
In 1961, the shire gazetted the site to be reserved for community use.
In 1963, three acres (1.21 hectares) was cleared and left for 12 months.
Gradually, a succession of buildings appeared.
First in 1963, the Elderly Citizens' Club, in 1964 the Infant Welfare Centre, in 1968 the Municipal Library and then in 1975 the Sporting Complex.
In 1972, the working party was full steam ahead, securing funding for the project from the government, which committed to subsidise the building project in September 1973, along with funds from the council, the generosity of the Apex Club and public fundraising events.
A tender was then accepted in July 1973 from local builders J. G. Shaw & Sons, Warracknabeal, to build this very large complex, which was to house two basketball courts, two squash courts, atable tennis room, abilliards room, netball, volleyball, badminton, changing rooms, akiosk and an office.
Among the many fundraising cabarets, there was one held by the Masonic Lodge on October 17, 1974, causing much excitement in the town when a leading entertainer, Tony Pantano, was the star attraction.
He was described in the article on the front page of the Warracknabeal Herald, "…a leading night club entertainer with frequent shows in all capital cities, including West Point Casino.
He will be supported by the four-piece band "Select" based in Melbourne, supporting Johnny Farnham."
The cabaret ball was reported "to be a resounding success with the town hall packed with people enjoying the top-class entertainment, resulting in a large cheque being presented to the council from the proceeds".
Public donations were also fast building from a program named the Co-Operative run by the Apex Club, where the public could purchase shares as a means of donating towards the project.
All the while, the building continued into 1975, the last basketball season outdoors was concluding.
The photo of the complex with walls intact, appearing in the paper on April 18, mentioned the building would have cost $220,000 on completion.
The main grant came from the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation, amounting to $98,000.
The Education Department gave $10,000, The Apex Co-Operative contributed $50,000, and the council loaned $60,000.
Hence, the actual building was to cost $206,000, with the balance of $12,000 to be utilised for equipment and landscaping.
An officer from the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation described the complex as one of the best in country Victoria.
However, by June 1975, the cost was reported to have increased by $7000.
After some grumblings at the Shire Council meeting, Councillor Armstrong suggested "the increase was small when building costs throughout the State have risen by 25 per cent, when this is only about one per cent of the total building costs, and he felt positive they could secure another grant to cover the cost".
It was anticipated that the basketball season for 1975/76 would commence in the brand-new stadium.
The Basketball Association's Annual Meeting was held in the Town Hall at the end of September 1975, with Danny Johnson being elected president.
The new president was interviewed and expressed that it was hoped to start the upcoming season in the new complex within a month.
Danny forecasted there would be 210 members playing basketball.
Each team: Katz, Olympics, Gazells, Cubs, Slabs, Brim would field five sides – Men's A, Women's A, Men's B, Women's B& B U16 Boys.
He stated, "We have a wonderful opportunity to play in one of the best sporting stadiums in Victoria, so let's make the most of it! Any out-of-town teams will be most welcome.
"If you've never played basketball and are interested in playing, see any team member or phone me on 121… It's an easy game to learn, so why not have a go… Rules and regulations should appear in the Herald within the next two weeks."
Alas, there were more delays in the opening of the basketball season because the building was not yet complete.
The first two round matches were postponed, then with much excitement, the season finally commenced on November 25, 1975, with the third-round match.
The opening ceremony was scheduled to take place two weeks later, on Saturday, December 6.
The Opening Celebration
The official opening was to be conducted by Mr Brian Dixon.
However, he was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident two weeks prior and was unable to travel to Warracknabeal.
He was to be replaced by Minister for Water Supply, Jock Granter.
Two lovely programs were produced to mark the special occasion: the Official Opening card and the Souvenir Program card.
The celebrations consisted of the Official Party wining and dining in the council chambers.
Then they moved onto the Sporting Complex, where 400 people from the public witnessed speeches and the unveiling of a plaque on the wall commemorating the opening.
The welcoming speech was conducted by Shire president Cr Herb Binns, who said, "There have been so many associated with the complex it would be impossible to name them all.
"At this stage, I would like to pay tribute to the architects. G. E. Drinnan & Associates, and the builders, J. G. Shaw & Sons, for the excellent job they have done."
Just before unveiling the plaque, Mr Granter declared, "This Building is magnificent, most possibly the greatest in Victoria, and I think it is wonderful to have local builders to do the brilliant job that yours has done. Complexes such as this are marvellous for the development of sporting character in people of all ages."
Following the officiations, the public was treated to a high-quality basketball match between two teams who travelled a great distance to take part in the very special occasion.
Nunawading Team ("A grade side of Victorian Amateur Basketball Association-14th in Australian Teams' Championship") versus Mildura Team ("Mildura has always been a top contender in Victorian Country Basketball Championships") as printed along with team members in the Souvenir Program.
Not a lot was reported about the match, but having 400 spectators attend it was a very auspicious occasion.
On asking the then Basketball Association president, just recently, Danny Johnson, what his thoughts were on the building of the indoor sports stadium, his reply was, "It was magnificent! No more playing basketball in the cold, wind, heat and rain. It was the best thing ever for the town!"
With the current project of replacing the floor and a few other alterations nearing completion, the Basketball Association will be spending some grant money it received on a new trophy cabinet and a Life Membership board.
The list of Life Members is being put together.
If you have been awarded a Life Membership and Gaye Golder hasn't been in contact, please get in touch with her on 0427 981 472.
Contributed by Gaye Golder
