A MEETING in Horsham this week discussing the key issues facing the region’s football and netball clubs – both now and into the future – has started a positive discussion on an incredibly complex issue.
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The meeting between representatives from Wimmera and Horsham District league clubs and AFL Wimmera Mallee cited a lack of numbers, volunteers and inequality between teams as important issues that needed to be addressed.
Representatives say population decline is the key issue to address to ensure the future of sport in the region.
It’s great to see so many clubs working together for an outcome that will provide benefits across the board.
But the issues raised at Monday night’s meeting are nothing new – and they are certainly not limited to our sporting clubs.
While Horsham is slowly growing as a municipality, that growth largely comes from an ageing population migrating from our neighbouring towns, which, in turn, are rapidly declining.
Many people at retirement age are looking outside the Wimmera for the services they desire – some, of which, simply aren’t available in our area.
Retaining or attracting skilled professionals to the region also remains a major issue of concern – our doctor shortage is just one example – and while further education and experience should always be encouraged, how do we pull these people back to the region they likely still call home?
Our current population means we cannot sustain certain services or businesses – but without those services or businesses, our population struggles to grow.
As our community and the world around us changes and evolves, people want and expect different things to that from our past. Technology is a great example and it has opened many doors. Alternatively, maybe some want much of the same and they want that to continue forever.
We, as residents or businesses or groups, need to look outside the square to open new doors for population growth.
We need to carefully consider what is working, and what is not, and develop new ways of providing and promoting all the great things this region has to offer – because there are so very many.
That’s when everything else will fall into place – including our sport – but we have a long way to go.
Jessica Grimble, editor