Mr DEAN (Windermere) - Mr Deputy President, I cannot beat that one but my contribution is about the Rocherlea recreation ground. The Rocherlea football community club supports in the main a socially and economically disadvantaged community. It also strongly supports indigenous players. I think I am right in saying that in 2008 there were 18 indigenous players in the club. This year there are about 11 indigenous players in that club and there is very strong support for indigenous youth.

The Rocherlea Football Club, known previously as the Tigers, recently changed their name to the Suburban Tigers so they could be more inclusive of the greater northern suburbs. Apart from being a very successful football club it is a club that has focused on the wellbeing and support of its community.

The club currently operates from premises that could best be described as substandard but can boast an oval that has been described as the best maintained and kept ground in the northern suburbs - and in fact in the north of the State probably. It is totally owned by the Launceston City Council and the clubrooms and the other areas are maintained by the football club. I take my hat off to Mr Andrew Smith, the Manager of Parks and Recreation with the council, for the high standard that is maintained at these premises.

The football club leases the complex and are responsible for building, upkeep and maintenance. The complex is a social hub for the Rocherlea community and other northern suburbs including Mayfield, Newnham and to some degree Ravenswood and Waverley. It offers physical activities, a gymnasium, social events and a meeting place for local people which is free in most instances or at low cost.

The club is credited with having turned many youth around, youth that were probably destined for a life of crime and antisocial behaviour. They regularly hold pie and barbeque nights which are well supported by kids, their parents and guardians. Some kids are alone but these kids are taken under the wing of club officials and with caring supervision.

The club runs a kids on the ground program, which involves kids on the ground at half time of senior games learning the skills of the game. For the under-19s and reserves it is a very successful program.

Another successful program run by the club is the $50 Business Support of Positive Directions for Kids program. Money raised from this program is used to provide entertainment for kids attending each home game including a $300-a-day jumping castle and that is packed out all day long. Other entertainment is also provided from this program including free food for those kids requiring the support.

On a recent by-weekend the senior team trained with the kids, 40 youngsters on the ground, concluding with a sausage sizzle. At a recent event the story was told of this young kid holding a sausage in both hands with tomato sauce running down each arm and with a smile on his face that you would love to see from any child. That child is a boy who has not got a lot of home support but he was cock of the hoop on this day. As the President recently said, 'It was a sight to behold'. This club has been so successful in support of the community that this year it won the State of Tasmania Community Services Award for its strong commitment to indigenous players and the community.

The club is deserving of that State recognition. Each year now the club supported by the NTFA includes an indigenous day to recognise the valuable contribution of indigenous players to the club and to the community. The ground was a picture with the aboriginal colours, emblem and strong words identifying with reconciliation.

Three years ago the great Syd Jackson was a special guest of the day and what a brilliant contributor to the game he was. Last year it was Chris Johnson from the Brisbane Lions and this year the magical Ronnie Burns from Geelong and Robbie Ahmat from Collingwood and Sydney Swans.

A big crowd was present and it was a great day with a lot of indigenous activity occurring.

Ronnie Burns entertained the crowd. He is a great speaker and he told the story about meeting Gary Ablett, and he told of how he had played about 10 games with Geelong, got straight into the senior side and on about the 10th game Gary Ablett came up next to him and shouldered him and asked, 'And what's your name?' He said he played 10 games with the great Gary Ablett before he even got to know his name. That really did impress him.

I want to identify the great people who are involved in this club and who are doing all of the work. They are Graham Gardner, past president and inspirational leader, Ray Cadman, a tireless and strong contributor, Scott McLean, current president and known for his work in other areas, Brian Daley, a builder with strong passion for the club and the community, and Wes Curtis of Westside Bakery, again with passion for this great and successful club and the wider community. They are doing wonderful work. For those that I have missed out, I apologise but there are others in that club that have done a lot of good work as well.

In June 2011 major plans for upgrade of facilities at Rocherlea Football Club were realised with financing provided by the Federal Government of $250 000 and also $250 000 from the Launceston City Council, $400 000 from the club itself and in kind. Unfortunately the State Government has not come good with any funding and I would urge the State Government to consider this because they are still requiring some funding to finish the complex. Any support would be gratefully received from the State Government.