Sarsfield Recreation Reserve & Community Hall: Official Opening
Project Overview
Milestone: Officially opened on Friday, May 1, 2026, marking the completion of a $3.8 million, four-year redevelopment project.
Funding & Support: Backed by all levels of government—including $3.6 million from the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development, additional support via the Victorian Government's Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, East Gippsland Shire Council, Rotary International, Gippsland Community Foundation, and local donors.
Purpose: Built to replace the former hall with a modern, multipurpose community centre to support local sports, community events, social connection, and act as an emergency response hub following the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires. Construction was managed by East Gippsland Shire Council and delivered by local contractor Brooker Builders.
Speeches and Perspectives from Key Figures
Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth (East Gippsland Shire Council)
On the project's impact: "This investment means Sarsfield now has a facility fit for the next generation – somewhere people can come together for sport, community events and in times of emergency."
On community leadership: "None of this happens without the people of Sarsfield. Locals drove this project from the start – they advocated for it, shaped it and kept pushing until it became a reality. What stands here now is more than a building and upgraded reserve – it's a space that reflects Sarsfield's resilience and its future."
Senator Raff Ciccone (Federal Labor Senator for Victoria)
On recovery and renewal: "This project stands as a lasting symbol of recovery, resilience and renewal following the devastating 2019-20 bushfires."
On government collaboration: "The Federal Government is proud to have supported this significant redevelopment, which reflects our commitment to helping communities rebuild after a disaster. The upgrades are a strong example of what can be achieved when the federal government works with state and local governments and listens to the needs of locals."
The Community Opening & Reflections
Cathy McLellan (Current President, Sarsfield Community Association):
"Welcome everyone, what an exciting day! Thanks for coming to share in our future. Isn't our new Hall great? What a journey! I’d really like to thank both the Federal and State Governments who helped, along with our own East Gippsland Shire Council.
I’d especially like to thank Rotary International, who helped kick this project off. They saw the need for a commercial kitchen here back in 2021 with a proposal to extend the old hall. We are so grateful for their patience and flexibility when the community later decided to advocate for an entirely new hall. Janne Spiers made our case, so despite the delays, Rotary’s funding went toward fitting out our superb kitchen and installing a top-tier solar system. In fact, we are completely off-grid here tonight, running on the Rotary battery!"
Honouring Our Past Leaders: Transitioning to the history of the association, Cathy introduced Simon Hof, who served as President for the first two years and stepped back in when the community sadly lost Kevin Perry, its second President.
Amidst these reflections, Cathy presented flowers to Greta Perry in recognition of the tireless, foundational contribution of her late husband Kevin to the rebuild, honouring his legacy and lifetime of community dedication.
Simon Hof (Former President, Sarsfield Community Association) — The Community Story:
"On the 30th of December 2019, our community was changed forever. With 50% of the land mass burnt and one in four homes completely lost, our community was one of the most heavily impacted in the country. While not everyone has got to where they wanted to since the fires, the community overall has risen to support each other and get us back on our feet.
During that intense and stressful time, a few local people started to think about what recovery could look like from a community perspective. Quickly, we realized that if we didn’t self-organize, things would be done to us, and not for us. That early advocacy shaped everything—from getting a recovery hub sited right here in Sarsfield, to forming the Sarsfield Community Association (SCA).
Over the last few years, the SCA worked hard to deliver on our community plan: bringing people together and developing our space. Hosting events has been the cornerstone of how we roll, and we've seen well over $4 million invested locally. What stands here now is a testament to all the volunteers who gave their time, and we are forever grateful to everyone who helped us get back on our feet."
Mentorship and Support: Following his reflections, Simon introduced a special guest and pillar of support: Malcolm Hackett, Red Cross Disaster Recovery Mentor and special friend of the SCA. Malcolm spoke briefly on the profound importance of community-led resilience, drawing on his own lived experience of bushfire recovery from Strathewen. Cathy then stepped up to sincerely thank Malcolm for his steady guidance over the years, presenting him with a gift of appreciation.
The Gippsland Community Foundation: Cathy then recognized the Gippsland Community Foundation, whose support has helped the association achieve goals across the entire site master plan—from the accessible toilet and refurbished tennis courts to cricket nets, lighting, and the seats everyone sat on during the event. Highlighting how refreshingly straightforward the Foundation makes the grant process, Michelle Dowsett from the Foundation surprised the community with a cheque to fund the final component of the playground: the racing slides!
Looking Forward & Closing Remarks (Cathy McLellan)
"There’s a danger this is getting repetitious, so I won’t dwell on how we got here, but I will say our working groups agonized over every detail of this design to make it work for everyone. With great acoustics for music, a kitchen with two dishwashers ideal for any function, and full accessibility, it looks like we’ve pulled it off! Once we know how to drive our 'new baby,' we will be open for business—for community and corporate events, weddings, wakes, first birthdays, and get-togethers.
And remember, this is also designed as a fully equipped recovery centre. With solar power, batteries, a big backup generator, and that lovely kitchen, we are set up as a haven where people can come to recharge (in every sense) if the worst ever happens.
Tell your neighbours and friends: Sarsfield is open for business!
Finally, I’d like to thank the people who brought this building into existence: our architects, Nathan Marshall and Andrew Varga; the efficient Brookers team, led by Josh; Brent Isles for the landscaping; and John Robinson from Council, who kept everyone on track right up until yesterday.
Thank you all—you should be very proud of what you've helped us create. Sarsfield, this is ours! Let's make the most of it. The work is done, it's time to party!"
Finally cutting the ribbon together! Over 180 people joined us in this celebration. A very special guest was Greta Perry whose son Dean brought her down for the occasion. Her husband Kevin was remembered for his contribution achieving out Hall.
CEO EGSC Fiona Weigall, Mayor Jodie Ashwoth, Cathy McLellan President SCA, Sen Raff Ciccone and Cr John White.
Henry Felmingham Hof, Nathan Marshall and Andrew Varga Architects from VTAS. Henry’s photograph provided our architects the colour theme for the building.
Malcolm Hacket from Strathewen was our Mentor through the whole journey, he supported and guided the SCA committees from 2021 - 2026. He attended ( virtually) nearly every committee meeting and gave us sound , thoughtful and serious advice whenever asked. Thank you Malcom.
Joanne Eastman (EGS Councillor) Robyn McKinley ,one of the tremendous team from the CWA who catered for our opening. They did a superb job and became the first operators or our wonderful new commercial kitchen. On RHS Jodie Ashworth EGSC Mayor.
This gives a view of the crowd, both Cathy McLellan and Simon Hof celebrated the wonderful achievment our community has created. Then our inaugural bar staff Nick Ward and Jayde and Marney Kramme - exceptional volunteers!
The paty went late enough for Emma to take this spectacular photograph of the Hall by moonlight. The weather was kind and all the doors were open.