Tour to talk change

Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters will tour the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Monday and investigate options for cost-effective facilities to support women in sport. 

Cath Robertson, who is championing the cause, invited leaders from all levels of government to a tour of the Fleetwood site in Long Gully.

The tour is intended to highlight the possibilities of modular buildings as a cost-effective way to meet the demand for change rooms at central Victorian sporting venues.

“For me, it’s about learning about this option,” Ms Chesters said. 

She said she would advocate for modular buildings if she believed it was a good idea.

“It’ll make the public dollar stretch further if we can find a good quality, affordable option,” Ms Chesters said.

She also asked Ms Robertson to visit the QEO with her to discuss the facilities there.

Ms Chesters reiterated that the federal government needed to do more to fund female friendly facilities.

She said she was lobbying Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Heath and Sport Sussan Ley, and Minister for Women Michaelia Cash about the issue.

Mrs Robertson’s concerns about the women’s facilities at the QEO, which she described as “primitive”, sparked calls for improved amenities for female athletes from sporting clubs, leagues and identities.

She said Ms Chesters was the only one to accept the invitation by Friday evening.

State Minister for Sport John Eren, who was in Bendigo on Friday, did not respond. 

Mrs Robertson said City of Greater Bendigo invitees had politely declined because of a workshop, but were open to scheduling another time.

“I just wanted to highlight the ability to get a solution really quickly,” she said.

She said there were facilities at venues throughout the region, not just the QEO, that needed improving and encouraged people to keep speaking up about areas for improvement.

“It’s country women in sport that are missing out,” she said. 

Football umpire Bronte Annand felt facilities for umpires should be prioritised, as they were “atrocious” at several venues.

“The last time I was at Gisborne, I had five men walk in on me while I was changing,” she said.

“I’m back down there this weekend.

“I'm never fully undressed but we have young female umpires that are getting changed.”

She said there was a door at the Gisborne rooms connecting the change rooms and the umpires’ rooms.

“It’s jammed open, so you can see straight into it,” she said.

“Footballers and officials have walked straight in.”

She said a lack of a shower curtain meant umpires had to leave the venue sweaty and muddy.

Miss Annand said one, maybe two umpires could fit into the change room at YCW Sporting & Social Club in Golden Square.

“We have a panel of six to eight, so it gets difficult,” she said. 

“And when we have to do votes and stuff we have to do it outside. 

“There are other issues that need to be addressed before the QEO because they are good facilities – it’s not a far walk.”

Miss Annand called on council to sit down and “really address what’s going on around the grounds.”