The memories were fresh, the laughter contagious as four of Maitland’s longest serving members celebrated the opening of the new netball clubhouse on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Karyl Pearce, Elaine Rapson, Annette Howard and Melva Evans reprised memories as they gathered around a photo taken of them in their netball umprie uniforms in 1970.
There were numerous other similar gatherings as Maitland netball drew on a tradition of the past to signal in a new era.
A traditional march past involving team members from all the Maitland Netball Association’s club symbolically marched from the old netball clubrooms to the new headquarters before they were officially opened by Maitland mayor Peter Blackmore.
It was a colourful procession which brought back memories for the mayor and the various life members who were special guests at the ceremony.
NSW Netball president Wendy Archer and presidents and officials from the Newcastle and Charlestown Netball Associations were special guests along with Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison, Maitland City councillors and representatives from The Mutual the major sponsor of Maitland netball.
Maitland Netball Association president Kim Starkey paid tribute to all those from council, state government and the netball association who had been involved in the planning, funding and construction of the new administration and clubhouse building.
Starkey said past president Bev Surplice, who unfortunately did not live to see the fruition of her dream, was the instigator behind the project 15 years ago.
“Bev had the vision more than 15 years ago that inspired the building of these new facilities for Maitland netball,” she said. “During those 15 years, many committee members have worked tirelessly to see her dream come to fruition.
“The clubhouse has been a joint venture with Maitland council and I would particularly like to that Ben Griffin, senior project architect at Maitland City Council, for all his hard work.
“Ben has been with this project since the beginning and has liaised with several committees to help bring the building to completion.”
Starkey said the association was also thankful for the financial support it received through a state sport and recreation grant.
