Zoe Moffatt
Three Macedon Ranges and two Sunbury clubs have been awarded a share in more than $600,000 for their efforts in campaigning to eliminate road trauma in their communities.
The state government and Transport Accident Commission (TAC) announced the recipients of the club rewards program on November 3, incentivising grassroots clubs to promote road safety.
Gisborne Giants Football Netball Club, Lancefield Jnr Football Club, Woodend Hesket Football Club, Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club, Sunbury Lions Junior Football Club were all successful.
Gisborne Giants media officer Jess Bonanno said the club immersed itself in the TAC rewards campaign and received more than $7000.
“We were proud to have spread the TAC road safety messages to keep safety at the front of mind, especially to the young drivers in our club and for awareness at our events,” Ms Bonanno said.
“Allocation of funds will be on the agenda for [the] 2024 committee, however suggestions [include] technology upgrades, contributions to our seniors pathways program and potentially special guest facilitators.
“This is significant to the members and families of Gisborne Giants for a great experience in community sport.”
Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club president Jack Medcraft said the club was awarded $800 which will go to an internal awareness program and advertising to bring the message of road safety home.
“It gives you the opportunity to push the cause of road safety and explain to younger people that driving cars can be a huge risk,” Mr Medcraft said.
“[Sports clubs are] a place where you can have role models that help explain or bring up the sensible outcomes that money can help advertise.
“We’ve had tragedies in the past and the end result of road tragedies leaves people traumatised for quite some time.
“The saying that ‘it won’t happen to me’ is so far from the truth, because it can.”
The clubs can use the money for a range of initiatives including education programs, club transport initiatives, new equipment and uniforms and facility upgrades and improvements.
The program is delivered in partnership with AFL Victoria, and this year 251 clubs will receive rewards of up to $10,000, which is the highest number of recipients in the program’s five years.
It encourages clubs to engage with players, members and their communities on key road safety issues and promote safe behaviours.
Details: tac.vic.gov.au/about-the-tac/community/grants/tac-club-rewards-program
