Visiting Shepparton on Thursday, February 11 for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Ms Williams said the funding would deliver two netball courts and upgrade fencing, sheltered areas and lights.
“It will deliver 30 jobs during the construction period but most of all, it will provide a set of facilities that will be extremely valuable to this local community,” Ms Williams said.
“Both the Aboriginal community but also the broader community, delivering to this region high quality, top-notch facilities that this region deserves.”
Rumbalara Football Netball Club president Paul Briggs said he was "really pleased" to see the Victorian Government invest in the region and into Rumbalara's future.
“There's nine netball teams in the club - having infrastructure that supports the young girls’ engagement is fantastic,” he said.
“That was one of the high priorities of the investment in infrastructure . . . support for looking after the women in our community and in our club - that's really important.”
The announcement forms part of a $23 million Victorian Government commitment to Rumbalara's upcoming Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence.
The centre - in partnership with the University of Melbourne, Greater Shepparton City Council and the Academy of Sport, Health and Education - will expand the Shepparton Sports Precinct to create a space for education, culture, arts and sport.
“We're very excited about what it means to the long-term future of indigenous people - Yorta Yorta people and other people's investment in education and knowledge,” Mr Briggs said.
“The investment enables us to bring senior partners into a region of sporting excellence and increase the productivity and prosperity of our people - which has long gone under-resourced.”
The centre will expand the current facilities at the precinct with the addition of ASHE facilities, student residential accommodation, a performing arts space, a sports medicine and science consulting facility and a childcare centre.
Mr Briggs said the purpose-built facility would build indigenous knowledge and cultural expression into its design.
“Community consultations have been occurring over the past 18 months,” he said.
“It's a really exciting phase, I imagine construction will take place somewhere towards the end of this year.”
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