By Oliver Lees
Members of the Woodend Golf Club have appealed to the Macedon Ranges council for critical funding to upgrade their clubhouse.
Speaking at the council meeting last week, Woodend Golf Club secretary Barney Hearnden said the club had been allocated funding in the 2020-21 budget but had seen “no evidence that works have been done”.
“As a club we have survived for 115 years thanks to the efforts of our members,” he said.
“The lack of communication from council as to plans for repair [or] replacement of our clubhouse is causing concern amongst our members and is making it difficult for the committee to plan for the future.”
Poor access for people with disability, rising damp, mould and vermin infestation were among the list of concerns presented to council.
The Woodend Golf Club is among the oldest golf clubs in the state and is referred to as Victoria’s hilliest course.
The Woodend Golf Club was able to grow its membership base last year from 120 to 250, but Mr Hearnden said the state of the clubhouse had deterred some golfers.
“We had some visitors from Heidelberg come out and they did comment on the state of the clubhouse,” he said.
Our ability to cater for major events [has been hampered]… we’ve purchased three ovens, two of which have been taken out of service without any indication when they’re going to be repaired or replaced.”
Cr Rob Guthrie said the report of the building quality was concerning.
“What you’ve said about the state of the building concerns me immensely as a qualified building inspector,” Cr Guthrie said.
“Particularly when you start talking about mould, that’s a very dangerous situation you’ve got there.“I would like to see it brought up to the [proper] standards.”
Mr Hearnden said the club was open to either repairing the clubhouse or replacing it entirely.
Mayor Jennifer Anderson has visited the club to inspect the clubhouse while Cr Janet Pearce and Cr Guthrie voiced their interest in doing the same.
A Macedon Ranges spokesperson said the council has begun some works, including a building condition audit review, gas appliance servicing and appointment of an architect among others.
They said that previous the council had addressed mould concerns and would continue to do so as they are brought to the attention of council.
