EVERY year about 100 volunteers from the South Warrnambool Football Netball Club make sure parking runs smoothly at the Premier Speedway.
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The Hampden Football Netball League club does the car park marshaling for the speedway’s major meets and president Steve Harris said the money raised from the work went to general revenue for the club.
He said about 16 people were needed each day.
“We’re very fortunate,” he said.
“We take it on the basis we might do seven meetings over the year.
“It is difficult for the smaller sporting clubs.
“We’re lucky we get such player and member support for it.
We’re lucky we get such player and member support of it. We realise the importance of the event for the town.
- Steve Harris
“We realise the importance of the event for the town.”
Mr Harris said it was through the work of a large group of volunteers that speedway management were able to deliver such a world class event. “It’s quite good fun doing it,” he said.
“They’re really nice people and they’re appreciative of what we do.”
Another community group to benefit from the three-day -event was the Warrnambool SES.
Unit controller Giorgio Palmeri said the volunteers’ sausage sizzle made about $900. “It was a sell out,” he said.
The fundraiser was held at the fan appreciation day on Saturday where thousands of supporters got the chance to talk to drivers and see the sprintcars up close.
Mr Palmeri said the SES had a road rescue crew on stand-by at every Premier Speedway meet throughout the year.
He said the Premier Speedway provided all the food for the barbecue with all income from it going direct to the unit.
“We’ve been doing it for many years,” he said.
Mr Palmeri said given the unit had a limited budget the money raised was always welcome.
“It always helps,” he said.
“It helps to purchase small things. It’s a very successful event.”
Mr Palmeri said it was a two-way street between the SES and Premier Speedway.
He said the SES attended about 15 meetings a year.
“We arrive at 4pm and finish about midnight,” he said.
“They’re long hours.”