The Strathbogie Recreation Ground (fondly known as The Rec) situated on Spring Creek Road, is the home of the local tennis courts and sports oval.
Like a lot of small Country Towns the Recreation Reserve has been a big part of the area’s history supporting 3 very strong clubs, footy, cricket and tennis, which meant on nearly every weekend of the year there was something to participate in or spectate at which made it a very social location and some of these events such as Grand Finals or grudge matches against neighbouring towns would see the events extending well into the early hours of Sunday morning just in time to head to the local church services.
Back in the early nineties things started to slowly change, the support for the clubs was intact but players and their families found they had to move from the area for work, education or health reasons and so by the mid 2000’s the clubs found they existed in name only.
The current club rooms and the tennis courts were built by the locals using local labour and finances.
These days the club rooms provide a valuable venue for social gatherings.
For enquiries and bookings contact Kim Usher on 0439468906.
The Rec is currently the home of:
- The Sports and Rec Club
- SCOFF (Strathbogie Community of Food Finders)
- Strathbogie Tennis Club
- Thursday Night Pizza
- Material Girls (sewing group which is in recess)
- Occasional Cricket
- Diesel fuel is available 24/7
THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE REC
One event that has consistently continued throughout the history of the Rec is Thursday nights at the Rec. When the 3 sporting clubs were active it was every Thursday night with a break during Christmas and New Year.These days it functions between daylight savings hours Oct/ March.
Though the numbers to this event dropped during the years to 10 to 15 individuals attending regularly it still limped along to what we have today.
Some years back a new Committee was formed with the idea of restoring the Rec to its former glory days and Thursday nights was the starting point.
BBQ’s or Roast diners were organised and invites sent out to residents and the families of the Tableland, very slowly the numbers in attendance on a Thursday started to increase and so the committee decided to hold events on some Saturdays as well, any money raised was put straight back into the community or items needed for the Rec were purchased, such as heating, air conditioning and a cool room.
Two events occurred almost simultaneously that positively changed the Thursday nights, a Pizza Oven was purchased by funds raised by the community and Dave and Sandy Joyce got their Strathbogie Brewing company up and running and we were able to have Strathbogie’s finest beer on tap.
We also stock a large number of spirit drinks and various beers; water is free and drinks for the kids are free.
Thursday Nights have become a very family orientated event, with young and old getting together, it’s not unusual to have attendances of 120 individuals.
The bar and pizza oven are staffed by a very dedicated crew that willingly give up their time, energy and sometimes their money to ensure a great time.
So, if you’re visiting during daylight savings hours Oct/March, come and join our Summer of Fun.
STRATHBOGIE TENNIS CLUB
A couple of years ago the Strathbogie Tennis Club was resurrected and is enjoying very strong support, for information visit Tennis.
24/7 DIESEL
Many years ago, Strathbogie’s garage closed, so to obtain fuel we had to have it bulk delivered to farms or drive to Euroa.
A while back a very enterprising local identity decided it would be a good idea to have our own diesel fuel supply not only for our own use but to cater for the needs of 4wd visitors to the town, so following a lot of discussion and organising, we now have our very own 24 hour, 7 days a week, diesel fuel supply located at the Recreation Ground.
REC GROUND UPGRADE
The Rec Reserve Committee of Management has been working closely with Council staff to plan long overdue renovations to the Rec Reserve pavilion.
The plans are now completed and Council has put the project out to tender. FLOOR PLAN
The main features are:
- Enclose the veranda overlooking the tennis courts
- Install internal toilets
- Install a purpose built bar area accessible from both inside and outside
- Upgrade the kitchen
Some photos from years gone by