The names Keith Irvine and Kevin Walsh, and more recently John Hanigan, have long been associated with sporting fields in Jamberoo, but it was only last weekend that plaques were unveiled in their honour (shown below).

Council has already installed plaques at other sporting venues named after local people, as a way of promoting awareness of their contributions over time.

“We wanted to wait until all the improvements were completed,” says Greg Walsh, son of Kevin and President of the Jamberoo Combined Sporting Clubs Inc.

“It finally fully recognises the contribution that these volunteers made to our sport and other facilities within the village.”

Family from near and far gathered for the occasion, along with old friends and representatives of the sporting bodies benefiting from, and appreciative of, their legacy.

Twenty-one members of the Hanigan family travelled from Wagga Wagga for the unveiling

Over the last five years, over $2 million has been spent in a coordinated way to improve facilities in the sporting precinct in the centre of town, that Greg estimates to be around eight hectares.

“It is amazing that everything is here together. Croquet, cricket, soccer, touch, golf, bowling, tennis, swimming, rugby league, passive recreation and the youth hall – it is such an asset for the community.”

Formerly a dairy farm, where sport was played once the cows were moved off the paddocks, the land was bought by Council in the late 1970s when Neville Fredericks was mayor.

Doing the Tate Place subdivision, and selling off the golf course to the club, funded the acquisition and development costs and the residual was devoted to sport.

The extended Walsh family

“A lot of the facilities were originally put together by volunteers,” says Greg.

“We just have to hope the next wave of volunteers come through to follow us and ones that preceded us.”

He says the improved facilities have generated a surge in use, not just by sports players, but also those making use of passive recreation and easy access.

“The thing that pleases us the most is the whole area is so user friendly for people with a disability, especially given our special bathroom facilities.”

The latest funding will improve lighting, as a safety measure for women using the park.

The plaques read: