Melville Oval Ready for Football
Published on 28 March 2025
The redeveloped Melville Oval complex will be ready for the football on Saturday 5 April, with netball to be played at Pedrina Park due to delays in the acrylic surface being able to be laid on the new courts.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Acting Mayor Afton Barber said the decision was made in consultation with the Hamilton Kangaroos Football Netball Club and local build group Ultrabuild to redirect the netball for the first round.
“The decision to redirect the first netball match of the season has ultimately been a joint decision that will enable both the netball and football to be played in Hamilton,” said Cr Barber.
With the tropical storm and cyclone in Queensland, the acrylic surface for the new netball courts has been delayed in arriving onsite which would mean the netball courts are waiting on the final step for their completion.
Ultrabuild Managing Director Ryan Hatherell said they have been trying to find an immediate solution to complete the courts in time for round one but the onset of the cyclone in Queensland has impacted the ability to gain supplies.
“Unfortunately, the arrival of that acrylic top-coat for the netball courts has been caught up in the recent flooding activity in the north of the country which is something that is out of all of our control.
“We have been pursuing as many different lines of potential in terms of sourcing this product, but it hasn’t been easy to locate. This will be added to the courts as soon as we can but will unfortunately compromise the 5 April start for netballers.
“We’re a local company so we understand the importance and the inclusivity of club sport so we will continue to push hard to have the site ready for both sports this ANZAC Day. We’re incredibly proud of the work we have been doing and as community members, we remain locals building better outcomes for local people,” concluded Mr Hatherell.
Hamilton Kangaroos Netball Director Renae Porter said whilst the relocation was disappointing, it won’t be long until the netball rejoins the football at Melville Oval.
“It is disappointing that we all won’t be located at Melville for the first round but we’re incredibly lucky to have access to such premium facilities at Pedrina Park that will house us for the first match,” said Ms Porter. “We acknowledge the work Council has done to ensure we are able to keep our home game in Hamilton and also their commitment in delivering first-class facilities for our netballers.
“We’re beyond excited to be moving back to our home location for ANZAC Day and will have the opportunity to showcase the high skills of our players to what I’m sure will be an extremely welcoming and supportive crowd.
“Our players are ever-the-professionals so I know they will do the club proud for the first match at Pedrina Park and will really step it up once we get back in the centre of town.
“Come and support us up at Pedrina Park next Saturday 5 April and follow us to Melville Oval to what will be a really special experience,” concluded Ms Porter.
Hamilton Kangaroos Football and Netball Club President David Hintum said that they can’t wait to see the local crowds at the oval to cheer on their club.
“This facility has been a much-needed redevelopment for not only our club, but is a facility that will benefit future generations of sports people,” said Mr Hintum.
“The short delay in bringing the netball to Melville isn’t ideal, but the prospect of our home-game bringing football and netball together on such a significant day as ANZAC Day will be a pretty incredible experience and one that will be hard to beat in terms of atmosphere and attendance.
“On behalf of the Hamilton Kangaroos Football Netball club, we would like to thank Southern Grampians Shire Council for finding solutions that will allow us to return to Melville Oval for the first match. We know there will be minor works that Ultrabuild and Council will still be working on over the next few weeks, so having that opportunity to get back on the ground for that April 5 game is really important to our club.
“We can’t wait to welcome those young and old from our community and those from further afield to really show off our amazing new home and facilities,” concluded Mr Hintum.
Acting Mayor Barber said Council is looking forward to having residents and visitors back at the oval, enjoying local and community sport.
“The build has been progressing really well thanks to the hard work of our local builder Ultrabuild, contractors and staff who have been diligently pushing hard to have this redevelopment finalised in time for the 2025 season.
“We are really impressed and incredibly excited about welcoming sports fans and show-casing the quality of this build, which will make the Melville Oval sporting complex second-to-none in Western Victoria.”
Over the last 18 months, the site has seen a full redevelopment from everything including the heritage grandstand, a new sports pavilion, amenities, netball courts, spectator seating, a reseeded and irrigated oval, to fencing and maintenance work.
“The whole site has seen an incredible change and really will help to put the sporting side of the Southern Grampians on the map,” said Cr Barber.
“We’ve paid due homage to the heritage of the beautiful grandstand which is looking fantastic and really shows the partnership of the old and the new beside the new pavilion.
“Spectators will notice there are some areas that require minor works to reach completion which will be done over the coming weeks with the site looking to be in really good shape for the ANZAC Day match.
“If you are a sports fan – or even if you aren’t but want to support our community, head along to Pedrina Park to cheer on the netballers, and share in the pride of the Southern Grampians as we open up our newly developed Melville Oval to all,” concluded Mr Barber.
The first 5 April match will see footballers play at Melville Oval on the proviso that all required certificates of occupancy and permits are obtained in time for the first round.