By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
New behind-goal netting has made Monbulk’s Recreation Reserve a safer and more enjoyable space for the whole community, thanks to the joint support from Yarra Ranges Council and Bendigo Bank Monbulk.
The reserve, home to football, cricket, netball and more, is one of the busiest spots in town, with kids and families using the area every day, not just for sport, but to visit the playground, skate park and BMX track.
Until recently, stray footballs were regularly flying into busy car parks and public areas, creating risks for pedestrians, cars and volunteers alike.
Now, with high netting installed behind both goal posts, the difference is already being felt.
The Monbulk Recreation Reserve Development Group president, Paul Utting said the project was driven by a combination of factors.
“Safety was a big driver, particularly at the Moores Road end where there’s a lot of foot traffic and cars. Balls were constantly ending up in that space. And at the other end, they’d fly into the council enclosure near the water tank, which was locked, so someone always needed a key to go fetch them,” he said.
Mr Utting said the change has been immediate and noticeable.
“We’ve already seen kids going out and having a kick on their own, which they wouldn’t have done before because they’d need someone to chase the ball. Now the balls stay in the reserve, and it just makes it easier for everyone to enjoy the space,” he said.
Game days have improved too, especially when it comes to the long-standing challenge of parking.
“Parking’s always tight on game day,” Mr Utting said.
“Now we can safely park directly behind the goals without worrying about cars getting hit. That just wasn’t an option before.”
Even during the week, the area sees plenty of traffic from local families, especially before and after school.
“Parents are coming and going, picking up kids, people are using the skate park or heading to the playground,” Mr Utting said.
“It’s a really active area, so anything that helps make it safer is a win.”
The project relied on community support to get off the ground. Council funding covered half the cost, but the club needed to find the rest.
“We were lucky,” Mr Utting said.
“The Yarra Ranges Council only provides 50 per cent, so we had to either come up with the rest ourselves, which we just couldn’t do, or find a partner. That’s where Bendigo Bank Monbulk came in. Without them, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Since the nets went up, feedback from players, coaches and volunteers has been overwhelmingly positive.
“They’ve been rapt,” he said.
“Especially the coaches – they’re not having to stop training to send someone off to find the ball. Junior players can stay focused and safe within the playing area, instead of wandering off into traffic or behind fences. It just makes everything flow so much better.”
Mr Utting, who’s been president of the reserve’s development group for 15 years, said support like this is vital for clubs like theirs.
“For these bigger upgrades, there’s just no way we could afford them ourselves. Membership fees and sponsorships go to day-to-day costs, we rely on outside support for the big stuff.”
Beyond the practical benefits, Mr Utting said it’s important to recognise the people and organisations helping to keep Monbulk’s community spaces thriving.
“I just really wanted to get a thank you out there, to Council and to the Bendigo Bank. These kinds of projects might not seem huge, but they make such a big difference to how the reserve is used. And they show what’s possible when the community and local organisations work together,” he said.
