Gippsland › Latest news › Danny O'Brien MP
Arson incident at Fish Creek Football Netball Club renews calls for increased police presence
Danny O'Brien, Nationals Member for Gippsland South, reiterates the need for enhanced police presence following the arson at Fish Creek Football Netball Club. Advocates for increased staffing in local stations.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South Danny O'Brien has repeated his calls for an improved police presence in South Gippsland in the wake of Saturday's fire that saw the Fish Creek Football Netball Club's (FCFNC) rooms destroyed. Mr O'Brien met with the club's co-presidents Ray Stefani and Nick Shaw and other club members to discuss the path forward to reconstruction.
Fish Creek FNC committee member Darren McAinch, life member Lou Seuren, co-president Nick Shaw, Danny O'Brien and co-president Ray Stefani at the site of the former club rooms
Fire prompts concerns
The fire, the result of an apparent burglary followed by arson, in the early hours of Saturday 4 November 2023, destroyed trophies, flags, honor boards, team photos and over 100 years of memorabilia. Mr O'Brien said the devastating event highlighted the need for increased police numbers in South Gippsland.
"Police presence is a key issue that is regularly raised with me for smaller communities right across Gippsland and I've heard very concerning reports about just how thin the blue line was on Saturday when the burglary and fire took place. I have been advocating for better staffing of our local stations for some time and this burglary and fire, which has been devastating for the Fishy community, has raised community angst even further."
"Many residents feel like we are a soft target and the lack of police presence is leading to the Shire being a target for criminals from outside the region, increased hoon driving and other anti-social behaviour," Mr O'Brien said.
Club rebuild efforts
The FCFNC has already established a subcommittee to work on the rebuild of the clubrooms and a Go-Fund Me page raised over $100,000 in the first 48 hours, a testament to the value of the club and how it is regarded within the community.
"It is clear that this loss has greatly impacted the Fish Creek community and surrounds. It was good to catch up with Ray and Nick and club members and while there are many unknowns still about the rebuild, I'll be working with the club to secure whatever state government support and funding may be needed to get the Kangaroos back on the field next year and deliver a rebuild of the clubrooms," Mr O'Brien said.
Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Darren Chester calls for stop to rural health merger citing risks to Gippsland services due to lack of consultation, secrecy and autonomy loss
Nicholson Primary School students get chance to discuss Parliament while receiving certificates from Darren Chester
Russell Broadbent urges government budget accountability to alleviate cost-of-living pressure to tackle inflation and alleviate cost-of-living pressures following the Reserve Bank decision
Senators to reject Fresh food tax after report reveals lack of clarity and adverse impact on farmers and families
ACV/GARDS gets $560K for Gippsland asbestos victims and additional $19.3M for asbestos removal from Victorian Labor government
AstraZeneca admission of blood clot risks prompts concerns about misinformation in Australian push for COVID-19 vaccinations
Baw Baw Shire Council continues advocacy for key unfunded projects despite limited aid from 2024/25 Victorian State Budget
Darren Chester presses for federal backing on proposed roundabout on Maffra-Sale Rd intersection to complete partial funded from Victorian government
Nationals push for ban on telemarketing and door-knocking of Victorian Energy Upgrade scheme in Latrobe Valley