RURAL AND REGIONAL SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Final Report Inquiry into Country Football ORDERED TO BE PRINTED December 2004 By Authority Government Printer for the State of Victoria No. 95 Session 2003-04 Parliament of Victoria Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee Inquiry into Country Football ISBN 0-9757058-0-6 Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee Members Mr Ben Hardman MP, Seymour (Chair) Mr Craig Ingram MP, Gippsland East (Deputy Chair) Mr Michael Crutchfield MP, South Barwon Hon John McQuilten MLC, Ballarat Province Hon Robert Mitchell MLC, Central Highlands Province Hon Dr Denis Napthine MP, South-West Coast Mr Peter Walsh MP, Swan Hill Staff Ms Kristen Murray, Executive Officer Dr Vaughn Koops, Research Officer Ms Kate Murray, Office Manager Level 8, 35 Spring Street, Melbourne 3000 Telephone: 1300 787 202 (Victoria only) (03) 9651 3580 Facsimile: (03) 9651 3691
[email protected] www.parliament.vic.gov.au i ii Terms of Reference PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES ACT 1968* REFERRAL OF INQUIRY TO THE RURAL AND REGIONAL SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT INQUIRY INTO COUNTRY FOOTBALL That pursuant to the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968, the Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee is required to inquire into, consider and report on the following: The impact on life in rural and regional Victoria of Australian Rules Football and, in conducting the Inquiry, the Committee is to: (a) assess the current strength and long-term viability of Australian Football competitions and clubs in regional and rural Victoria; (b) assess the role Australian Football plays in building community identity, social interaction and pride in rural towns.