Two Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay sporting clubs were among the 32 Victorian clubs named as recipients of grants under Energy Safe Victoria’s [ESV] Safer Canteens grants program.
West Footscray’s Parkside Football Club and the Spotswood Football Netball Club each received $1000 towards purchasing safer and more efficient electrical and gas appliances for their canteens.
Run in conjunction with AFL Victoria, the ESV initiative aimed to replace old, unsafe and energy inefficient fridges, bain maries, stoves, pie warmers, steamers and fryers.
ESV commissioner and chairperson Marnie Williams said the grant programs aimed to target the area of sporting clubs which receive the least amount of investment despite being a major source of a sporting club’s income.
“It’s also the one place in a footy club where energy safety risks are most likely to be found,” she said.
“In just five years, we have seen bain maries give volunteers a zap, 30-year-old pie warmers, urns leaking onto power cords and broken fridges.
AFL Victoria head Ben Kavenagh said the program has seen more than 150 clubs receive funding since launching in 2018.
Nominations have opened for ESV’s Canteen Hero award, which would see an unsung canteen volunteer honoured for their work and the winning club receive a $1000 grant to improve their canteen facilities.
Details: esv.vic.gov.au/safercanteens
Matthew Sims
