Round two flood recovery recipients. Pictured in the back is Cecil Rhodes (Apex), David Lane (Corowa Cricket Club), Corowa RSL vice president Chris Thomas, Terry Delamere (Apex), and Aaron Carrick (Apex). In the front row is Eloise Everitt (Guides), Maryann Herbert (Guides), Corowa RSL Club president Jenni Delany, and Zara Everitt (Guides).
Roo’s President Graham Hosier, Corowa RSL Club president Jenni Delany and Roo’s treasurer’ Rowena Black pictured receiving their cheque last Tuesday.
The golf club’s Steve Carrick, Chris Gillard, and Daniel Peacock with Corowa RSL vice president Chris Thomas.
Local community and sporting clubs affected by recent flooding will have another reason to smile this Christmas, after being awarded a share in more than $55,000 from the Corowa RSL’s Club’s Flood Recovery Fund.
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The Flood Recovery Fund was established at the RSL Club’s board meeting on Wednesday, November 23, with members and senior management identifying an immediate and critical need to step in and support the community following weeks of flood inundation around the Ball Park and Rowers Park precinct.
The successful recipients of the funding were Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club, Corowa Golf Club, Wahgunyah Speedway, Corowa Apex Club, Corowa Girl Guides and Corowa Cricket Club.
Corowa Girl Guides received $10,000 and said they will use the money to restore Baden Lodge in Ball Park. Guide Leader Maryann Herbert said flood waters lingered for over a week affecting the floors and walls main hall, bathrooms, meeting rooms, storerooms, two kitchens and garage.
“In 35 years, the life span of the hall, it has never had water enter the building. We will now need to replace carpets, two fridges, a gas heater, music sound system, doors that have swollen, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, four canvas tents, as well as the cleaning and removal of mould that is appearing on walls,” Mrs Herbert said.
The Apex Club of Corowa received $10,000 to help repair the much-loved steam train track and shed in Bangerang Park.
“Funds will be used to repair the track, storage shed, cost to replace coal and also repairs to the train station itself. We will also use the funds to paint and repair carriages,” club president Aaron Carrick said.
The Corowa Golf Club who suffered extensive damage to the golf course also received $10,000 in funding.
“We experienced the inundation of our lower course due to the record high levels of rainfall, river heights and seepage,” General Manager Daniel Peacock said.
“We have multiple trees down on the course, our brand-new irrigation system is damaged, our main pump has had its power cut by a fallen tree and is inoperable, access to maintain the greens is restricted and our levy was breached.
“Recovery of our course after the amount of inundation, lack of access, higher temperatures and shortage of funds to finance these activities, will be severely impacted.
“The access to only 9 holes has severely restricted our trading potential. Along with major repair works we will require the trees on the course to be assessed. There are also multiple large trees and debris that will need clearing.
“These funds will contribute to this cost.”
Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club who was also severely hit by the flooding received $10,000 to restore and repair all the clubroom facilities that were damaged, as well as replace white goods, sporting equipment, repairs and cabinetry in the kitchen, office, boardroom and toilets.
“We will need to replace cabinetry and flooring as well as plaster walls. We will also need to replace footballs and netball equipment. Flooring in a number of our administration rooms will have to be replaced as well,” club president Graham Hosier said.
“After community members helped with the initial clean-up we have had to employ cleaners to carpet clean the football change rooms to restore the marine carpet flooring as well as thoroughly clean all the bathrooms to ensure that they are sanitary to use again and that no mould is present.
“Funding to cover all these aspects will be vital to get us operational before the season starts in late March 2023 and it will allow us not to have to use our much-needed sponsorship money which is needed to run the club during the season.”
Corowa Cricket Club will purchase a turf mower after receiving $9,000 after flood water went through the Cricket Club storage shed to the height of around 60cm. Most valuable things had been lifted above this height, but the weight of the mower prevented it being able to be lifted.
Meanwhile the Wahgunyah Speedway received $6,900.
“Our complex has been severely damaged during the flood,” speedway president Brendon Eames said.
“Fences were damaged and destroyed, roads need repairs, equipment need to be pulled apart and a full service to get them running again and electrical equipment has been under water. “Funding will go towards getting the complex back up and running. It will help get the members in the local area racing again.”
Corowa RSL Club CEO Peter Norris said he was proud to be involved with the Corowa RSL board who identified the urgency and hardship in the community and were willing to contribute cash immediately to support recovery.
“From fires to Covid and now flooding, the last few years has been a difficult time for the local community,” he said.
“We are proud to stand up and lend a hand. Obviously, there’s a lot more work to do but we are all here to work together.”
Corowa RSL CEO Peter Norris pictured with Wahgunyah Speedway president Brendon Eames.
