The $1.16 million Cameron Park sporting fields upgrade was officially opened on Wednesday morning and the mayor used one of his favourite comparisons for the project. He said the place that was once known as ‘the desert’ is now an oasis.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Not a new statement from him, but it was delivered with just as much pride as before and with perhaps a little more pleasure. And what has happened in Cameron Park should be admired by everyone in this town.
The old sports ground has been transformed again and this time into something special, because this is not the first time that particular ground has been improved.
Cr Barry Johnston was at the opening, and with his memory of just about all the happenings of most things local, he recalled some of those first efforts by individuals to make Cameron Park a viable sporting venue. Now, after a significant investment and hard work by our council, it is finally just that, with modern facilities, underground irrigation and a lush turf surface.
Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall, was just as excited to see this project opened, and the one telling comparison he made was that, in his opinion, Inverell would have the best sporting facilities in country NSW once the $1.1 million upgrades for Campbell Park were completed.
There were official speeches made on the day and many words exchanged after those over a cup of coffee, but the most inspirational were spoken by a member of the junior cricket team while the politicians took turns with bat and ball for a photo opportunity. The mayor’s bowling was very rusty, but the local MP bowled and batted with a bit of flair. A comment from one of the juniors about how he thought politicians couldn’t play cricket after John Howard’s efforts had many laughing.
And it was that single irreverent comment that represents all Cameron Park now stands for. The money was not spent and the work done for the sake of council staff or councillors, nor was it done for any politician, although all will get some degree of benefit through association with a job well done. The massive upgrade was undertaken for your children, and their children.
So this town’s young sportspeople have a place to form opinions and be a bit cheeky when their imaginations and senses of humour develop from that healthy environment.