General News
20 May, 2026
Cashing in on cans
GREAT Western Football Netball Club has been kicking goals off the field after launching a successful recycling fundraiser through Victoria’s container deposit scheme last year. The club placed bulk collection containers beside the Great Western Post Office, Great Western Hotel and the football netball clubrooms during game days, encouraging locals to donate eligible cans and bottles to support the club.
President Dale Hurley said while the bulk collection container behind the post office had a slow start, donations have ramped up significantly over time.
“It’s obviously for a great cause. It’s an easy choice, people can bring bags of collectables into the post office and let us deal with it.
Mr Hurley said the club had received strong support from volunteers helping transport the recyclables.
“We are really fortunate that a life member, Dave McCartney and his wife, transport them up to Horsham for us,” he said.
One collection alone raised an impressive $800 for the club.
“It’s definitely been a worthwhile cause,” Mr Hurley said.
Last year, the fundraising helped support the junior program at the club.
“It funded a couple of great programs for our juniors, sending them to Melbourne to watch professional games, new equipment for our juniors, and it’s been a great benefit,” he said.
Mr Hurley said this year, the focus has shifted toward improving facilities, particularly the club's netball court.
“This year we are channelling it into getting a second netball court up and running, so most of the funds this year will go to helping out the second court get re-registered and safe. That will complement our netballers and our Net Set Go netballers.”
Mr Hurley said the additional court would also help shorten long match days for players and families.
Between community donations, the club has generated close to $5000 through the initiative.
The additional funding has allowed the club to reduce costs for young players and families.
“We are running a program at our club where the juniors play for free,” Mr Hurley said.
“Our Auskick program and our Ready Set Net program, they get their first year of participation and a club beanie, all that comes from this,” he said.
The club is now encouraging more locals and businesses to get involved.
“If anyone wants one of these at home, reach out to us,” Mr Hurley said.
“We can get an IBC with a bag there, so it’s neat at their place, and when it’s full, just call us, we will come swap it over.”
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