Rugby league legends Paul Harragon, David Peachey, Terry Fahey and Ronny Gibbs have been part of the Tooheys New Crew team that helped get the new Dubbo Touch clubhouse built. Photo: AMY McINTYRE
THE hard work of Dubbo Touch Football Association, a myriad of local tradies and a few celebrity helpers will be on show for everyone to see when Dubbo Touch launches its new clubhouse on Saturday.
In just seven weeks an unused area of land in the middle of the touch footy fields has been transformed into a facility that consists of a club room, canteen, storage facility as well as male, female and disabled toilets.
And it has all come off just in time for the start of the NSW Country Championships, which will be played over the next two days. Dubbo Touch president Neil Webster is amazed at the prompt development, which it is hoped will allow the organisation to host the titles beyond this year.
“This is the 22nd year straight we have held the titles and we want that to continue,” Webster said.
“Through the volunteer work, the help from local businesses, Dubbo City Council and the Tooheys New Crew, a job which we budgeted at more than $400,000 should come in at under $300,000 which means the association will have money in the bank for other projects and the development of the sport.”
League legend Paul Harragon made a couple of trips to Dubbo to help with the facility and got his hands dirty with fellow footy stars and local personalities Terry Fahey, David Peachey and Ronny Gibbs.
‘The Chief’ levelled some dirt, helped lay carpet and did whatever was needed to see the job completed before the 84 teams take to the field in the championships
“I just take a great deal of pride in the sense of community you see in these projects,” Harragon said.
“Through the Tooheys New Crew we help facilitate these projects but they are really driven by the volunteers who come down here, even if it’s for a couple of hours, to help out.
“And there’s local businesses who help out with materials, either at cost or as a donation. It’s a big job, a real team job, and something I’m really proud to be involved in.
“People who may have nothing to do with touch football have helped on this job and that is what makes it great. It’s also good to see guys like ‘Peach’, Terry and Ronny here helping out as well.”
A film crew was also present during the work and a story on the project is expected to appear on Channel Nine’s The Footy Show on June 7.