Zoe Moffatt
The Allan Walters Pavillon was officially unveiled last week in front of a packed crowd at the Eric Boardman Reserve.
Members from the Sunbury Kangaroos, Hume council and Mr Walters family filled up the room in a sea of blue and black for the unveiling on March 30.
Club president Mick Streiff said it was a great night to recognise Mr Walters’ service and dedication to the club.
“It was a very well attended night with about 200 or more people there,” Mr Streiff said. “We couldn’t fit everyone inside.”
“For the club [the naming] is due recognition for Allan and his services to the club for 13 years as president.”
Mayor Joseph Haweil, Cr Jarrod Bell and Cr Jack Medcraft, Sunbury MP Josh Bull and Mr Walters family joined past and present club members for the night.
“We had a free sausage sizzle, with soft drink and ice cream for the kids on after as well,” Mr Streiff said.
Mr Walters served as the Kangaroos’ president for 13 years and also played and coached for the club before he died in an industrial accident in 2021.
Hume council decided to name pavilion number three at Eric Boardman Reserve in honor of Mr Walters in August 2022 after an outpouring of community support for the decision.
At the meeting on August 22, Cr Medcraft said the death of Mr Walters was felt throughout the community.
“The ramifications of this have been felt by a lot of people in town,” Cr Medcraft said. “[This building] highlighted years and years of work and lobbying by Allan to get something like this built.”
“I’m only sad that he never got to actually see how good the building was when it was finished, that’s the sad part.”
“But we’ll have his name up there forever and a day, and everyone will know who Allan Walters was.”
