General News
24 February, 2026
Scoreboard repairs requested ahead of Stawell Gift
THE Stawell Athletic Club has requested that Northern Grampians Shire Council undertake repair works on the old scoreboard at Central Park.
Stawell Athletic Club representative Brian Barber proposed to the council in their meeting last week that the scoreboard is showing signs of rust, particularly around the back and base.
He also said several sheets of corrugated iron on the rear of the structure have missing screws.
Mr Barber noted that while the scoreboard remains structurally sound, the repairs are needed to prevent further deterioration and ensure it remains safe for ongoing use.
“There is nothing structurally wrong with the scoreboard. It just needs some TLC so it can last another 100 years,” he said.
He also highlighted that when the scoreboard is used during the Stawell Gift, the lettering is ageing and no longer fits as well as it once did, with some sections difficult to display correctly.
With the Stawell Gift set to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2027, and the 150th running of the event in 2032, the athletics club is also seeking recognition of the historic milestone.
Mr Barber said a statue erected for the 100th edition of the Stawell Gift in 1977 was removed in 2003, and highlighted the re-erection could be a way to commemorate the anniversary, as stones from it are still in existence.
He suggested the council consider a “think tank” to explore options for a new commemorative feature, including the possibility of a fountain within the Central Park grounds.
“A good location would be the corner of Main Street and Haitts Lane,” he said.
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