Dingley Sports & Recreation Club About Us

The following history has been provided with thanks to Ms. Shirley Boothman, ex-Director and Life Member of the Dingley Sports & Recreation Club.

The concept of a Dingley Sports & Recreation Club Inc. began with a vision by a small group of very dedicated persons. The object of this small group was to unite the Dingley Football Club Inc, the Dingley Cricket Club Inc, and the Dingley Darts Club in the one building under the umbrella of a governing body.

A lack of facilities, especially where the Dingley Cricket Club was concerned, was an initial reason for trying to unite the clubs. This small group first had to obtain the co-operation of the respective clubs, as no one club could afford the massive undertaking of constructing a suitable facility on its own.

After co-operation was gained, the inaugral Dingley Sports Club meeting was held on 26^th July 1989 and the overwhelming decision by all present was to proceed. A committee was formed consisting of Mr. Alan Knell, Mrs. Shirley Boothman, Mr. Steve Irwin (Cricket Club President), Mrs. Kath Cushen (Football Club Treasurer), Mr. Mark Halbish, Mr. Harold McLachlan, Mr. Alwyn Grigg (Darts Club President), & Mr. Paul O’Neill.

After a great deal of investigation, and with a lack of interest in providing assistance by the Springvale Council who feared it would be setting a precedent, it was decided to form a Co-operative, as this was the only way that a Government guarantee could be obtained for the finance needed to construct the building. A Formation Meeting was thus held on 19^th March 1990 to set up what was to become the Dingley Sports Club Co-operative Ltd, and FIVE Directors were elected as set out in the Corporate Affairs guidelines. They were Mr. Alan Knell, Mrs. Shirley Boothman, Mr. Alwyn Grigg, Mr. Rob Higgins & Mr. Mark Halbish.

In June 1990 Mrs. Kath Cushen & Mr. Harold McLachlan joined the Directors, who were to be responsible to the shareholders and also represent them in all Dingley Sports Club Co-operative Ltd dealings. Shares were sold and the construction of the building designed by Mr. Garry Cox, a former President of the Cricket Club, began. The initial cost was to be $185,000:00 of which the directors were reliably informed that the Springvale Council would grant their request for a loan of $40,000:00 interest free. This information later proved to be incorrect.

After many hold-ups, the State Treasurers’ guarantee was finally received and a State Bank loan of $145,000:00 was duly processed. The Directors were still under the impression at this stage, that the additional monies required would be forthcoming from the Council. Next stage was to set out to obtain a license from the Liquor Commission and after many set backs and a lot of hard work by a few, this was finally granted in June 1991.

The grand opening was held on 11^th August 1991 with the unveiling of a plaque by Mr. Eddie Micallef M.L.A. and was attended by Springvale Councilors, shareholders, past and present members of all Clubs involved as well as members of the Dingley Community.

The Dingley Sports Club Co-operative Ltd holds some 263,750 shares of which 10 cents in every dollar have been fully paid.  These shares were required to set up the Co-operative and do not have any value nor do shareholders receive a dividend. Their sole purpose was to raise the necessary deposit in order to ensure a Government guarantee for the loan to begin construction.

Once the loan is repaid, the Dingley Sports Club Co-operative Ltd will be wound up and it has been determined that the original shareholders will then become the foundation members of the Dingley Sports & Recreation Club Inc. and their names will be recorded on a board to be located within the club, illustrating their gesture in helping get the building of the new rooms off the ground.

Shareholders were drawn from the Clubs under the umbrella of the Sports Club, at either a senior or junior level, affiliated persons of these Clubs and other interested persons not connected with any sporting body. Incorporated in the Co-operative, the Dingley Sports & Recreation Club Inc also has a number of members and the combined total of shareholders and members exceeded 400, the majority of which were Dingley residents.

Shareholders were able to purchase between 750 and 1500 shares, figures determined by Corporate Affairs. Original members paid a $50:00 joining fee plus $25:00 annual fee. The combined total equaled that of some shareholders. At an auction held on 10^th February 1991, medallions were distributed to shareholders and these original members. Only medallions numbered from 1-9, 13 and 69 were actually auctioned. The rest were taken from a ‘lucky’ dip. Keys to the inner door were also distributed on this day and the numbers matched that of the medallions.

A requirement of the license was that the inner door was to be kept locked. As more people became interested in the Club and numbers grew, visitors were admitted and were required to be signed in by a member. A book for this purpose was placed just inside the inner door. This also recorded visiting clubs who utilized the rooms after sporting matches.

It should be noted that the building was to be for the benefit of the whole community and this was to be illustrated by the fact that the original Springvale Council used it on a daily basis to run its elderly Daycare program once the building was operational, the Senior Citizens used it for an exercise program, and other organizations like Rotary, and the local Chamber of Commerce as well as residents, took advantage of its excellent facilities to hire it out for meetings, weddings, 21^st parties and Bingo. Later meals were introduced and for a time, they attracted families and friends within the community.

One of the objectives of the Dingley Sports & Recreation Club Inc was to provide a furnished building for recreation and other community purposes as well as to assist local clubs with an excellent venue for their members and opposition players and their supporters. Another objective is to foster junior sport within the Community and to attract new players and an important part of doing this is having a pleasant environment in which to relax after the game. The Club provides this environment and this can be attested to by the number of local parents and residents who attend after match day resumes at both a junior and senior level.

Any resident can become a member by paying the small annual fee required and enjoy the excellent facilities provided by the Dingley Sports & Recreation Club Inc.