July 24 marked the 40th anniversary of the construction of Bellbird Park stadium in Drouin.
To honour the milestone Drouin Rotary Club invited the inaugural chair of the founding committee, Don Kelly to speak about Bellbird Park from its first beginnings in 1974 through to the construction of the stadium in 1983 and later expansion.
In 1964 Buln Buln Shire Council purchased a piece of swampy farmland at the edge of Drouin for use by sporting teams. At the time it was primarily used by the Drouin Marching Band and the Drouin Hockey Club. Four years later the Drouin Hawks Softball team was formed and the club needed somewhere to train.
Through the enthusiasm and hard work of a number of locals, the sports "precinct" was born - aka a slashed paddock with rudimentary toilet facilities. Don recalled at the time participants had to ask neighbours to use their toilets or hide behind a tree!
Development of an "association" called for proper fields and a subsequent interest from junior football teams led to the construction of another field with small change rooms and connected toilets.
"The advent of soccer, and John Lieshout's knowledge of explosives paved the way for a fifth playing field and social rooms," Don said.
When Gary Surman arrived in the town as shire engineer, he enthusiastically promoted the need for an indoor stadium in the district. In March 1979 council was approached to initiate the development on some farm land in Settlement Rd.
Thanks to the guidance of councillor Keith Pretty, land was purchased and a land swap conducted to make way for the site. A community committee was formed and Don Kelly was elected its first chair - a position he held for 12 years followed by another 10 on the committee of management. Secretary of the committee, Ron Davies was also a prime mover in the stadium's development.
Approaches to the state government for support initially fell on deaf ears but eventually a $250,000 grant over 10 years was secured from the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation. A further $60,000 needed to be raised by community groups who for a year concentrated all their fundraising efforts on the project. Vin Bibby was the chair of the fundraising committee for Bellbird Park.
Major contributors were the Drouin Lions and Apex Clubs as well as the Drouin and District Race Club. Buln Buln Shire were also major backers of the project. In total the project cost $500,000.
James G Morrisson Pty Ltd of Warragul was awarded the contract to build the new stadium and on July 24, 1983 Bellbird Park was opened at an official ceremony by Member for Narracan John Delzoppo. Three hundred people attended an opening celebration where Denise Drysdale and her band performed. The first manager of the stadium was John Rundle.
Initially, Bellbird Park stadium consisted of four squash courts, a multi-purpose area, stadium, offices, committee rooms and change rooms making it the first indoor arena of its type in the area.
Subsequent expansions saw a BMX track, a second stadium, meeting and social rooms for Gippsland Umpires and the Drouin Cricket Club built. A new playing field as well as cricket facilities, car parks and more have been developed over the years.
Extensive works continue into the present - notably on the existing site including a synthetic soccer pitch with more facilities on the way.
Don said his initial involvement with Bellbird Park was through his involvement with the Drouin Softball Club. "I never imagined that we would end up with such a great stadium for locals," he said. "It's certainly a point of pride that I was part of a group of individuals and community groups who were able to help get it up and going," he said.