When Judi Buhagiar started working as Eastern Region Manager at Netball Victoria almost 12 years ago, she began auditing netball courts in the area and was often in disbelief at the conditions.
One of the many grounds that needed attention was at Bruthen Recreation Reserve, which hosts multiple sporting clubs in the East Gippsland town, including netball matches in the Omeo District Football Netball League.
“There was barely any run-off in the first instance, and there was a tree at one of the netball goal ends that was overhanging and going to be problematic,” said Buhagiar.
Bruthen Recreation Reserve Committee member Brenda Streeter remembers helping to build the original netball court with her husband, Neil Streeter, who is a civil engineer.
That netball court served the community well, and the locals had done their best to improve facilities over time via ad hoc updates, but after four decades, much-needed upgrades were required – especially after the 2019/20 bushfires devastated the town and damaged facilities.
With the proactive work of Bruthen Recreation Reserve president James Nicholas and Brenda Streeter’s connections, the Reserve committee were able to navigate red tape and ultimately secure $1.07 million in federal funding for a second netball court (converting and extending one of the former tennis courts that was rarely used) and new change rooms.
The redevelopment might not have happened without the support of Buhagiar, who commented on a social post by federal member for Gippsland Darren Chester to organise a meeting at the grounds.
“I saw one of his posts that said something like, ‘Such a beautiful drive from East Gippsland to Canberra’, so I put this on his post: ‘Next time you're passing through, can you please let me know and I'll meet you at Bruthen so I can show you their courts and we can start some conversations around redeveloping’,” Buhagiar said.
From there, Buhagiar was put in touch with Chester’s office, and 18 months later, they responded with a meeting time. “That’s what you do – it doesn’t just come overnight,” she said.
With funding secured, the Bruthen Recreation Reserve Committee managed the construction tenders and works themselves, and the upgrades were completed within six months.
Netball Victoria were on call to provide support throughout the process, ensuring all works were completed to code.
The redevelopment was reopened in 2025, with the new netball and tennis courts named in Brenda and Neil Streets’ honour.
When Brenda heard all her interstate-based children would be attending the opening, she had a suspicion something was planned, but had no idea of the magnitude.
“I just thought they were going to get me to cut a ribbon!” Streeter said. “So I was a bit suspicious, but no, not naming rights. Neil was just gobsmacked.
“People don't realise what you do behind the scenes, but a couple of people on the committee knew what we’d done over the past 40 years.
“It’s not all about me though, it’s about what you can do for the community… Now we've got this beautiful new pavilion with netball ladies change rooms on one end and new cricket rooms on the other.”
Bruthen Recreation Reserve is now also better equipped to support the CFA Strike Teams and Forest Fire Management Fire Fighters should another disaster affect the region.
The Streeters have earned a long-deserved break, with plans to step down from the volunteer committee later this year knowing the community is in safe hands.
Buhagiar meanwhile continues to push government authorities for more funding and upgrades like those at Bruthen.
“We as an organisation have improved incredibly which has filtered down through me to our affiliates and clubs,” said Buhagiar. “We’re continually educating our people on what to do, and what needs to happen if you want upgrades or new facilities.”
Originally from Central Gippsland, Buhagiar brings an understanding of the region and its diversity to the role to support operations.
She explained, “It does help having that knowledge and talking to the locals – they'll tell you stuff you don’t know… The environment in Far East Gippsland is different to the environment in East Gippsland and you have to be in it to understand that.”
Upgrades in the area continue to progress. Buchan Recreation Reserve is currently being redeveloped, and a $2 million upgrade of Swifts Creek Recreation Reserve was completed in 2025.
“I want to say a big congratulations to the council in East Gippsland, state government, and federal government for the work that they’re supporting us in,” said Buhagiar.
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