Lights for the Orroroo Bowling Club were on the agenda when Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey dropped in to the town last week.
Mr Ramsey is retiring at the next election and was accompanied by new Liberal candidate for Grey Tom Venning.
“We have been taking the opportunity now Parliament has risen to get out and talk with communities, clubs and councils about the kind of assistance they need to help them make life better in their community,” Mr Ramsey said.
“It has been an excellent opportunity to get out with Tom helping him appreciate the individual challenges different communities face and giving them a chance to get to know him.
“It’s been a pretty tough year for Orroroo which has worn some of the worst of the drought conditions, now in turn affecting much more than just the farmers as they make the obvious savings to adjust to the conditions.
“In recent years we have tried to draw more focus on how hard times can effect more than just farm businesses and how it’s really important our community and sporting groups remain viable. They are relief valves for individuals within community feeling the pressure of the conditions.”
Mr Ramsey said this is why assisting a club like the Orroroo Bowling Club is really important so they can continue to offer facilities and competition, providing a place for the community members to meet.
“Something like ”Night Owls”, may well be the social outlet farmers and others under pressure need in times like this,” he said.
“The club has recently installed a new synthetic green, but the lights are in need of major upgrade as is some of the fencing constructed in the 60s and now falling into disrepair and needing replacing.
“I have been pretty disappointed with the slowness of the Federal grants for local communities with one of the Labor Party’s first actions upon coming to government being cancelling the BBRF grants and then taking another 12 months to put their Growing Regions Guidelines in place, which following further missed timelines, finds us here two and a half years later and not one dollar has yet flowed from this scheme.
“It has starved regional communities of the funds they would have normally expected.
“That’s why Tom and I will push for a commitment from the Liberal Party leading into the election but we would also hope it will put pressure the Labor Government to do their job.”
Mr Venning said travelling with Mr Ramsey was giving him an invaluable introduction to the electorate it’s people and possibilities.
“Whether or not I become the next member of Grey will be up to the people, but if I do, I’m working to ensure I can pick up where Rowan left off and hit the ground running,” he said.
Rowan Ramsey MP
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744
December 16, 2024
