As our readers know, an issue that has been brewing hotter than coffee on the café strip is a proposal to develop a turf hockey field at Harold Rossiter Park.

As a former state junior and senior hockey player, Vic Park Panthers club member, coach and club sponsor, I absolutely understand the need for the club to develop better facilities for its members.

I also understand Harold Rossiter Park is a very special place to those who use it and live near it.

The issue is a hot topic on social media.  While this is great for bringing the proposal to a greater audience, it also provides an opportunity for misleading or half-true information to be presented as fact.

I have asked the Club President of the Vic Park Xavier Hockey Club and Bronwyn Ife – a concerned local resident and candidate in the up-coming local elections, to share their views on the matter and have published both in full below.

* Ryan Willis – President VPXHC

* Bronwyn Ife 

It is great to see that both sides want the best for the community.

It goes without saying that I love Victoria Park and the people and groups in it. We need to remember that we all live, work and play together and can achieve much more by working together and not fighting each other.  

The Town of Victoria Park will be running two Community Workshops on September 4th and 6th, please click here for further information and to register your attendance.

I hope the Town of Victoria Park can facilitate genuine community engagement to come up with a plan that benefits all.

Lee Baston