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EDITION 1 APRIL 2026

SPORTS & RECREATION NEWSLETTER

NEWS AND UPDATES

Welcome to the first edition of the Golden Plains Shire Sports and Recreation Newsletter!

We’re excited to launch this new way of connecting with our sporting clubs, volunteers, facility users and community members across the Shire Sport and recreation play a vital role in bringing people together, supporting health and wellbeing, and strengthening our communities , and this newsletter is all about celebrating and supporting that

In each edition, we’ll share updates on facilities, funding opportunities, upcoming programs and events, important information for clubs, and stories from across Golden Plains Whether you’re a player, volunteer, coach, committee member or supporter, we hope this newsletter becomes a useful and inspiring resource that keeps you informed and connected

If you have a good news story that you would like to share with the community please reach out to recreation@gplainsvic govau, we would love to hear from you

Thank you for everything you do to make sport and recreation thrive in Golden Plains we’re proud to work alongside you

Sponsorship & Marketing Forum

Golden Plains Shire together with Leisure Networks would like to invite you to our upcoming Sponsorship and Marketing Forum where we will explore practical ways your organisation can strengthen its profile, attract new partners, and communicate more effectively with your community.

You’ll learn about:

What sponsors are looking for in community sport

How to build and present a compelling sponsorship offer

Simple marketing strategies that make your organisation stand out

How to promote your programs, events, and impact

Tools and tips to increase visibility and engagement

This forum is designed to give volunteers clear, usable ideas they can take away and apply straight away

Details:

Monday 13 April | 6 30pm-800pm | Online | Free th Any enquiries can be sent to sportandrec@leisurenetworksorg

NEWS AND UPDATES

Active Golden Plains - Sports and Recreation Festival

What an incredible time we had at the Active Golden Plains Sport & Rec Festivals in Smythesdale and Bannockburn!

Across both days, our community came together for the perfect opportunity for families to get out, get active, and discover the many exciting sport and recreation options available right here in Golden Plains

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, had a go, and tried something new We absolutely loved the energy you brought, and it was fantastic to see our community out and about, connecting and having fun We truly value all feedback to help us continue delivering great community events If your community group participated on the day as a stallholder, we’d appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete the feedback form below

Your insights are invaluable and help shape future events.

https://formsofficecom/r/AfaE0pvrLF

NEWS AND UPDATES

Linton Recreation Reserve Netball Facility Upgrade

Council is pleased to see the Carngham Linton Football Netball Club actively using the upgraded netball facilities at Linton Recreation Reserve, with training commencing in March followed by a Saturday practice match

The recently completed works include a resurfaced netball court and practice area, new perimeter fencing, coaches’ boxes, public toilet upgrades, grandstand seating, a refurbished office and storage shed, and new 200‐lux light towers. These improvements have been very well received by players, officials and supporters and are already enhancing the experience for the local sporting community.

NEWS AND UPDATES

Inverleigh Sporting Complex Master Plan

Golden Plains Shire Council is encouraging residents of Inverleigh and surrounding communities to have their say on the future of the Inverleigh Sporting Complex located at the Inverleigh Recreation Reserve (the Reserve).

Council is developing an Inverleigh Sporting Complex Master Plan which will help improve and develop the Reserve to meet evolving needs of users and the growing community in Inverleigh and surrounding towns. The Master Plan will establish a shared vision for the Sporting Complex, driven by the input of key stakeholders and the broader community It will provide a clear roadmap for future development, guide decision making and resource allocation for the community, user groups and Council

How You Can Be Involved

Feedback on the development of the Master Plan is invited from Wednesday 1 April until 5pm, Wednesday 29 April 2026, and can be completed below. The survey will also be available at Council’s Customer Hubs, 2 Pope Street, Bannockburn, and 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale

For further information, contact Council’s Recreation and Community Facilities team at enquiries@gplainsvic govau or call 5220 7111

What Happens Next

Following the consultation period, Council will begin the development of the draft Master Plan and will keep the community involved in this process with further community consultation scheduled for later in 2026

Have Your Say: Inverleigh Sporting Complex Master Plan

NEWS AND UPDATES

Scholarship Opportunities for Women and Girls in Sport

Berrybank Wind Farm has partnered with Play like a Girl Australia to offer fully funded scholarships to the Empowered to Lead program, supporting women and girls right here in Golden Plains Shire to grow, lead, and thrive

Women and girls aged 15 and over, from any sporting code and level including players, coaches, administrators, and volunteers, are encouraged to apply Scholarship applications close on 2nd May 2026

Successful applicants will have access to a six-week online leadership course commencing on Tuesday 19 May at 7pm or Thursday 21 May at 12pm

The course will cover:

Mindset Mastery: Learn resilience through stories of iconic female athletes

Communication Skills: Discover how women sports leaders influence, inspire, and lead teams

Leadership Development: Practical strategies backed by real-world examples from women at the top of their fields

Confidence Building: Draw inspiration from trailblazers who have reshaped sport for future generations

What’s included:

Six weeks of live mentoring and leadership development, delivered virtually Access to our national Play Like a Girl community

Practical tools to build confidence and back yourself

Ongoing support, resources and opportunities

https://www.playlikeagirlaustralia.com/scholarship

Don’t miss this chance to build your leadership confidence and step into your potential.

COMMUNITY WELLBEING

Alcohol in Our Community

Alcohol is widely used across Australia and is part of many social activities However, current national data shows that alcohol continues to have significant impacts on people’s health, safety, and wellbeing Here’s what’s important for our local community to know

How common is alcohol use?

Most adults in Australia drink alcohol, and it remains one of the most widely used substances across all age groups Around one in three people drink at levels that increase their risk of harm, such as drinking too much at once or drinking heavily over time Young adults are most likely to drink at risky levels, with many consuming amounts that raise the risk of injury, accidents or long‐term health problems

How alcohol affects health and safety

Alcohol continues to be a major cause of preventable illness and early death It contributes to a wide range of health issues, including long‐term liver disease, heart conditions, cancers, and mental health concerns.

Emergency services feel the impact, with alcohol leading to high numbers of ambulance callouts and hospital admissions every year Alcohol‐related harm also affects families and relationships, contributing to stress, conflict and unsafe situations in the home

The cost to our community

Alcohol use creates significant social and economic costs, including:

Increased pressure on local health services

Lost productivity in workplaces

Costs associated with injury, violence and property damage

Impacts on families, carers and suppor

COMMUNITY WELLBEING

Support and help

Alcohol remains the most common reason people seek support from alcohol and other drug services. Local services, GPs, counsellors and helplines can provide confidential support for anyone wanting to reduce their drinking or get help for a loved one.

What we can do as a community

Reducing alcohol harm is a shared effort. Our community can support healthier and safer choices by:

Promoting low‐risk drinking

Encouraging alcohol‐free events and celebrations

Supporting parents and young people with accurate information

Connecting people with local health and support services

Together, we can help create a safer, healthier community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia/contents/about

FAIR ACCESS

Council reminds all clubs, community groups and recreation reserve committees that they are required to develop and maintain their own Fair Access Action Plan

As part of the Fair Access Policy rollout, Council will continue to requesting copies of completed Fair Access Action Plans for review Clubs and groups are encouraged to take ownership of their plans and regularly review and update them to ensure they remain current, relevant and effective

Please note that an up‐to‐date Fair Access Action Plan is now required as supporting documentation for a range of funding applications Having a current plan in place is essential to ensure eligibility for future funding opportunities

If further assistance is required or if you have any questions regarding Fair Access, please contact Council’s Recreation Team via email at recreation@gplainsvic govau or visit https://sportvic govau/resources/fair-accesspolicy

RESOURCES AND HELPFUL INFORMATION

Grants

The Golden Plains Shire Council is excited to provide the ‘Golden Plains Grant Finder’ to all local businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals This site provides a comprehensive list of grant and funding opportunities available to you Our free service means you will never miss a grant opportunity again

The Berrybank Wind Farm Community Grants Program

The Berrybank Wind Farm Community Grants Program will open 1 May 2026 Stay tuned to Council’s website for updates! Berrybank Wind Farm Community Grants | Golden Plains Shire Council’

Emergency Sporting Equipment Grant Program

The Emergency Sporting Equipment Grant program provides funding for community sport and active recreation organisations across Victoria. Funding will be available to 31 May 2026 or until funding is exhausted.

Grant amount

Up to $2,000

Important dates

Open: 2 July 2025 | Close: 31 May 2026

For more information; please head to https://sport.vic.gov.au/funding/emergency-sporting-equipment-grantprogram

Logging a Maintenance Request

Please log all maintenance concerns/issues through the online customer portal:

There is a link to ‘submit a request’ on the home page under services (see circled below). https://www.goldenplains.vic.gov.au/

In the event of an emergency, please call 5220 7111