It’s all about community

Josh Dunkley (left) and Callum Porter (right) with youngsters Aidan Shimmen, Olivia Harcourt and Officer footballer Tyler Clark at the Community Day on Saturday. Pictures: GARY SISSONS

By Nick Creely

The Arena Shopping Centre hosted its Community Day on Saturday morning, with two AFL footballers from the Western Bulldogs making a special appearance at a football skills session.

In conjunction with the Officer Senior Football Club, Bulldogs midfielders Josh Dunkley and Callum Porter, both products of the Gippsland Power and Porter in particular a Kangaroo favourite son, were out and about signing autographs and helping the kids with a skill session at the free event designed to bring the community together, while also helping raise valuable funds for bushfire affected regions.

Football club president Nick McLennan said it was a great boost for the community to have two current day AFL footballers come down and meet the fans.

“It was a brilliant day, it was great to see so many smiling faces – both young and old who came along to participate in the AFL skills session and to meet with Cal and Josh,” he said.

“The event really reinforces just how tightknit the Officer community is with valuable funds being raised for the bushfire appeal which has affected us all in a different way.

“It was also great to see the quality of football on display by some of the participants, which as a football fan gives me a great sense of optimism for the future of football in our region.”

Porter, an Officer local who was taken with pick 74 in the 2017 AFL Draft and has made steady progress at the Bulldogs in his time at the top-level, said it was a privilege to be able to give back to a community that has given him so much.

“I always enjoy getting out to these sorts of events but for me this one was particularly special,” he said.

“I grew up in Officer, played my junior footy here and my family still live in town. There were so many familiar faces, it was great to be back home and among friends.”

Dunkley enjoyed a stellar 2019 on-field for the Dogs and was part of the drought-breaking premiership in 2016. He said it was terrific to come out to the Officer community and learn more about the town his teammate grew up in.

“One of the best things about playing AFL is being able to get out and meet supporters, it was also interesting being out in Officer where Cal grew up. I learnt a lot about him,” he said with a laugh.

“There were so many talented young footballers, it was great to see.”

Maia Poananga, a spokesperson for Arena, said the day was a great success.

“We are always looking for ways to support the local community and are proud to be partnered with the Officer Senior Football Club,” he said.

“An event like this brings the locals together with their families to enjoy some free fun with the kids.

“We also want to do our part for the bushfires. All donations from face painting at the event will go to the Australian Red Cross. We had some generous support from the community with this, which we’re very thankful for.

“The Ferguson Plarre Bakehouse is also selling gingerbread firemen, with 100% of proceeds going to the Victoria Bushfire Appeal, so make sure you get yours in store.”