MOYSTON - The Moyston-Willaura Football Club will celebrate the link between Moyston and Australian Rules football with the assistance of a $5,500 Brumby Government grant, the Member for Ripon, Joe Helper, has announced.
Mr Helper said the grant for the event on August 18 was being provided to Ararat Rural City Council through the Brumby Government's Provincial Victoria Events Program.
"The Moyston-Willaura Football Club is to be congratulated for what will no doubt be a fantastic event celebrating the contribution that Moyston and its favourite son Tom Wills made to our great game,'' Mr Helper said.
"This event is a real partnership between the Moyston-Willaura Football club, the Australian Football League, Ararat Rural City Council and Regional Development Victoria and recognises the important place that Moyston holds in Aussie Rules football.
"I'd like to recognise the dedication of club president Ruth Brain and other club members in organising this celebration and I'm pleased the Brumby Government has backed their efforts.
"Legendary coach Kevin Sheedy, ambassador for the 150th celebration of Aussie Rules football, will visit Moyston to acknowledge its and Tom Wills special place in the history of our game.
"Kevin will talk with students from local primary schools and watch a junior football session and participate in the seniors training session and then enjoy a spit roast with the local community in an evening of entertainment.
"During the evening Sheedy will address the community, and the short film, King Wilf and the Pumas, one of 11 finalists in the MIFF Footy Shorts competition will be shown. The film was made by locals Damien and Brendan McAloon.
"Kevin will also have an opportunity to catch up with Pumas coach Wilf Dickeson who played with Richmond in 1965/66 and was traded to Prahran for Kevin Sheedy.''
Mr Helper said Moyston was recognised as the birthplace of Australian Rules and a monument to Thomas Wills stands on a site adjacent to the recreation reserve.
"Tom Wills, who founded the Melbourne Football Club and laid down the rules of the game in 1858 and 1859, spent his early years at Moyston,'' Minister for Regional Development Jacinta Allan said.
"Tom was also an excellent cricketer and although he did not tour with the team, he coached the Aboriginal team that successfully toured England in 1868.
"It seems highly likely that the Moyston-Willaura Club will play finals football for the first time since the club was formed in 2000. This year is a great year for the club and we wish them every success in the finals series.''
Mr Helper said the Provincial Victoria Events Program was part of Moving Forward, the Government's $502 million plan to make Provincial Victoria the best place to live, work, invest and raise a family.