Blow whistle on this blowin

TOORADIN Sports Club has a track record second to none when it comes to community management of a town facility.
But the sports club is under threat from an outoftown soccer club.
Sports club representatives tell me that the soccer club they believe to be from inner city wants to establish at 2750 South Gippsland Highway.
This is on land west of Tooradin, between the service station and Evans Creek.
The application is for use and development of the land for a restricted recreation facility and to sell or consume liquor.
The sports club is concerned that the soccer club will bring in gaming machines.
Sports club treasurer Darrell Hardy is already concerned about the dollars this situation could take away from the Tooradin community.
Darrell said the club had applied for a gaming and liquor licence, but Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler said there was no way this would happen. Cr Butler said the idea had been around for a while, with the original application for a soccer field and pavilion, but a second application was for the lot.
“The idea is totally unsuitable for that area,” he said.
Cr Butler said he was 100 per cent sure that the council would oppose the application when it came to the council next month.
I wish I could be just as sure, because Cr Butler may find himself being asked to support something else in order to get a no vote on the soccer club application. He is known for not doing deals, so which side is up?
The hard fact of life is that Tooradin has a good thing going with its sports club, has a few gaming machines, a pleasant dining facility, excellent sporting facilities and good management.
While I hesitate to go against private enterprise, I question the wisdom of letting this ‘outoftown’ club in because it won’t kick any goals for Tooradin.