GETTING READY TO LIGHT UP

We are excited to tell you that we are resourced and ready for Bell Park Dragons to 'Light up the Den'. This has been one of many facility improvements outlined in our Strategic Plan and much work and time has gone into the consultation and design of this project.  COGG has signed off on contracts and we have secured Hanlon Industries as the successful and preferred contractor. Hanlon Industries has been a sponsor of the Club for many years and the Hanlon family has significant ties to our Bell Park Community.  We are thrilled to be able to work with them on this significant project. Works will start in early June and an expected completion date has been set for July. This state-of-the-art 100+ LUX lighting system will provide the best solution for the Bell Park Sports and Recreation precinct to ensure we are able to play sport throughout the year and as our memberships grow have increased capacity for the scheduling of games and training, enhancing and extending our programs on offer. Our hope of hosting night games may also be finally realised and it will enable multiple users of the facilities to benefit from longer use of the ground. It will also open up opportunities for club events and create potential for future local community events and activities. Construction of the project has been jointly funded by COGG and the generosity of Gary and Carolyn Plumridge who have a long standing association and connection to the Club. We are very grateful for their generosity and know that the benefits now and into the future will help secure Bell Park as a destination club.

NUMBER 1 TICKET HOLDER

It is with great pleasure, that we announce that Teresa Hanlon will be Bell Park Dragons Number 1 Ticket Holder.Teresa has had an allegiance with Bell Park for her entire life.Her parents, Tony and Jeanette Sheahan, threw themselves into the Bell Park Dragons community following their children’s involvement with footy at Hamlyn Park.They proved to be great contributors to the club over many years. Their efforts saw them both admitted to the club’s Hall of Fame.

Teresa and her family have continued the tradition set by her parents. The Hanlon family have been strong contributors. While Hugh, Tom and Elly were active on the sporting field, Teresa was helping out on committees and where she was needed around the club.

Hanlon Industries have been very generous sponsors and supporters of the club over a long period of time. Paul and the family have been vital in the past, through projects that have benefitted the club, greatly. The giant digital scoreboard and the current lighting project to name just a couple. The club is lucky to have had the Hanlons/Sheahans involved at our club.Teresa is not only a part of Bell Park, she is also a major influence in a number of local charities and organisations around Geelong.

We were very recently pleased to welcome Teresa onto the Belrec Board of Management, where her expertise in a variety of fields can be used to benefit the club at Board level.

Through her appointment as number 1 Ticket Holder, we feel Teresa will be a great ambassador for our Club. We feel there is no one better credentialed to represent Bell Park in the community. It is an honour that she thoroughly deserves.

BELL PARK CARE

The Bell Park Sport and Recreation Club is proud to be able to offer our membership a new service that is focused on providing some care options, for those experiencing personal challenges. Courtesy of Gary Plumridge, a Past Premiership Senior Bell Park Footballer and cricketer, club members will have access to referrals to specialist counsellors, meals in times of extreme difficulty, possibly crisis accommodation or furniture and a chaplaincy service for current and past players/officials.

Gary and his wife Carolyn will be assisted by a group of capable active volunteers who are excited to be of assistance to complement the great work already being done the various Bell Park Club section volunteers. Anyone who is in need or is aware of circumstances in which other members might benefit from some support are invited to contact our Bell Park Dragons Welfare Co-Ordinator Glenn Brown directly - glennbrown105@gmail.com We will be appointing Welfare Officers for each Sporting Division soon.

If the particular request can be matched with a Bell Park Care resource, then specific support will be arranged as soon as possible.

Bell Park Care is also offering skilled people to support our existing army of volunteers. Additional hours and expertise are now available to address the long list of tasks required to ensure our club is compliant and readily recognisable as a clean, safe, inclusive and caring environment for community participation in competitive sport.

If you are a volunteer needing extra support for an event or ongoing tasks that can include things like catering, cleaning, property management, fundraising and member engagement, feel free to send a request to Glenn Brown. Glenn will then refer requests to the Bell Park Care Resource Coordinator to hopefully find a support service to match the need.

JEFF JARVIS  - BELREC PRESIDENT