Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Hub

15/04/2026

Mary-Anne Thomas MP thank you for everything you did over many, many years to bring the community-led vision for a Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct to life. Our community worked long and hard, and yes we pushed hard and made a lot of noise. And you got behind that community vision and did the hard yards to excite all three levels of government to fight for the funding needed. It is a legacy that will be enjoyed by families for generations to come. Thank you for making it happen

Today I joined the Premier Jacinta Allan to announce that after three terms as the Member for Macedon I will not be recontesting the November election.

Serving the people of Macedon has been a great honour.

It’s an extraordinary experience to meet and work with so many people from all walks of life including local sporting clubs, all the service clubs, our emergency service volunteers, Neighbourhood Houses, Men’s Sheds, environmental groups, school communities, local government councillors and workers, tourism businesses and leaders, farmers and our creative community.

Of course, in my role hundreds of people have shared their life experiences and challenges with me.

To everyone that has struggled with poor mental or physical health, the su***de of a loved one, poverty and homelessness, family violence and disability – it has been my privilege to help you as best I can.

As a Labor Member of Parliament, I have been proud of our government’s focus on education, health and helping families with the cost of living.

This has meant significant investment in our schools including multimillion redevelopments at our three government secondary schools as well as delivering two brand new primary schools in Kyneton and Gisborne.

Upgrades to Daylesford Hospital, a new community health service, a new ambulance station in Gisborne, and a new women’s health clinic in Kyneton are complemented by a new Bendigo Hospital, the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital, while Melton Hospital will be the new destination for people from Gisborne and Riddells Creek once it is complete in 2029.

Support for families has included capping V/Line fares, free travel for Under 18s, power saving bonus, the Virtual Emergency Department, Chemist Care Now, Smile Squad, Free Kinder and Free TAFE to name a few of our cost of living initiatives.

The Macedon Ranges Sports Precinct is the largest infrastructure project ever delivered in the Macedon Ranges and was made possible by State and Federal Labor Government backing in our local communities and complements the many new and upgraded sports facilities, playgrounds, skateparks, parks and gardens skateparks right across Macedon.

Recognising the Macedon Ranges is home to significant biodiversity and landscapes the Macedon Ranges Shire is the first to be protected by a planning scheme that legislates town boundaries.

Of course I will remain working hard for you until the election, my office is always ready to help.

I’m looking forward to introducing you to Labor’s candidate once that selection process is complete.

07/07/2025

What an extraordinary community effort over many many years. Great outcome and more to come.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1G5fdRysjE/?mibextid=wwXIfrooood

29/10/2024

16/08/2024

If you are 18 or older and volunteer in community sport with kids and youth (anyone under 18), you can be a part of a study and make community sport safe, positive and nurturing for all children.

The survey by Victoria University researchers will take approximately 15-30 minutes.

Complete the survey here: https://vuau.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0JPBevbrWy6sHTE

For more information or questions, please contact Dr Mary Woessner ([email protected])

04/08/2024

45,600 decisions per hour. Umpires, you make community sport possible - thank you!!

DID YOU KNOW

In Netball the ball has to be passed at least every three seconds. This results in the ball being passed (at an absolute minimum) 1,200 times a match.

Every time a player catches the ball, an umpire has to check seven things involving the player with the ball and their opponent (footwork, contact, obstruction, offside etc.).

Almost simultaneously, the umpire has to look down the court and check other players are in their correct areas and are not blocking each other in their attempts to move. This could involve scanning 10 different players, while keeping one eye on the player with the ball and their opponent.

So that’s seven things, involving the player with the ball, plus potentially another 10 players to watch, each with three actions involved (contact, obstruction and offside).

That’s 38 different actions to watch for per pass, including the held ball rule. 38 times by 1,200 passes equals 45,600 decisions our umpires make per match. Even if that figure is split between the two umpires, that’s still 22,800 decisions each.

22,800 decisions a match! And that’s assuming players take the maximum three seconds to pass the ball.

We, as a community, need to respect our umpires! NO UMPIRE, NO GAME!

So next time you go to yell towards an umpire or verbally disagree with their decisions, have a think of this and think about it if you were in their shoes

24/06/2024

PLEASE SHARE and COME ON FRIDAY.
A decade ago they said point blank “it will never happen” and told community to go away. But what an incredible community we live in. Community vision brought together sports, clubs, leagues, schools and community groups in every town inspired to make a difference for the Macedon Ranges. Our community built a vision so inspiring that Council, State Government, and Federal elections eventually shared the community’s vision. That answer a decade ago was wrong. It did happen. And every community volunteer over the last decade should feel so proud. From little things big things grow. Come see it. It is beautiful.

(And when Stage 2 is built with the funds committed at the last federal election it will be even better).

04/06/2024

A decade of community collaboration to bring towns, schools, sports, clubs and community groups together across the Macedon Ranges. Thanks for the excited thumbs up kids at Holy Cross Catholic Primary School New Gisborne

28/05/2024

This is never OK. Never. Umpires make community sport possible. And the Macedon Ranges has a proud history of supportive, inclusive, encouraging clubs. Bravo MRNA for drawing a line. Umpires make nonstop split second decisions and they deserve respect, understanding and gratitude for making it possible for our kids to play each week. We look forward to every game in every sport at the Sports Hub being shining examples of support and respect - a place where experienced umpires want to umpire. And a place where many young players want to learn to umpire.

Umpires must be treated with the respect they disevere. This open letter to the MRNA from the Association President calls for action from everyone involved in netball to call out and address behaviour.

16/05/2024

26/03/2024