SEEING her thirteen year old daughter getting changed for soccer on the side of the field at Moriarty Park was the catalyst for Jodie Clifford to undertake a project that has taken years complete.
“It has been a seven year journey,” said Jodie.
“My oldest was standing on the sidelines getting changed one Friday night in her bra top and her girlfriends were trying to be a little bit modest but there was nowhere for them to change.”
“I went, ‘right, this is just not on.’”
Jodie embarked on a mission to get funding and was the project manager to completion.
“This project has given us a fabulous community facility for all of us to use.”
The change room also has shower and toilet facilities which can be used if people need to be evacuated in a disaster such as the Black Summer Bushfires.
Moriarty Park President, Steve Moriarty, thanked Jodie for her commitment to the project and also thanked the long list of volunteers who were involved.
“Both the Moriarty Park committee and Canungra Owls Soccer Club have worked together to see this to fruition.”
“Bren Dalby was President of Moriarty Park when project started,” he said.
“Peter and Julie Ulbrich were President and Secretary during the project, with Damian Watson, Cameron Mansfield, Nathalie Van Den Branden and Rikkie Glocker also assisting during the process.”
Both Steve and Jodie acknowledged the assistance of the Federal Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program and Federal MP Scott Buchholz for his support.
There were two unsuccessful grant applications prior to receiving funding through the BSBR grant program.
The volunteers faced many challenges throughout the project including drainage issues, increased costs and supply issues.
When the costs increased, they were relieved to receive a generous funding contribution from Scenic Rim Regional Council to enable it to be completed.
The facility includes home and away change rooms, referee change rooms and an all abilities toilet.
While her eldest daughter, Kasey, is no longer playing soccer at Canungra, Jodie is very happy that her youngest daughter, Evie (12) will now get to use the facility as it is open for the 2024 season.
