We are coming to Gippsland
The Deakin Melbourne Boomers are helping East Gippsland bounce back from bushfires with a jam-packed two-day trip to the region as part of the recovery effort.
The WNBL powerhouse will visit businesses, schools, basketballers and communities around Bruthen, Tambo Upper, Orbost, Lakes Entrance, Swan Reach, Nicholson and Sale on 5 and 6 February to help reinvigorate tourism in the Gippsland Lakes areas affected by recent devastating fire activity.
Boomers superstars will play mini-golf with Lakes Entrance Basketball Association, climb aboard camels to traverse Eastern Beach, drop in to local schools, spend in local shops and cafes, hold an open training session at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex and more during the stay.
The tour follows a Boomers donation of $18,698 to the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund, generated by fundraising activities at their top of the table clash against Southside Flyers in January.
The club then gave away 100 free tickets for Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance Basketball Association members to attend the Boomers versus Perth Lynx WNBL clash at the State Basketball Centre this month and enjoy some relief from fire and smoke on the home front.
US import and fan favourite Sophie Cunningham has also raised more than $2500 for the Red Cross to assist people affected by the fires and has pledged an extra $25 for every three-point shot she makes during the season.
The Boomers have been a Gippsland mainstay over the past three years, delivering events and community programs in partnership with the Latrobe Valley Authority and Victorian Government.
Boomers head coach Guy Molloy is looking forward to the two day trip,
“We’re pretty pumped as a club to be going down into Gippsland and the communities that have been really ravaged by the fires.”
“We just want to go and do a little bit just a small tiny bit, hanging out with some of the communities down there” he said.
If you’re from the area and want to see the Boomers during their visit, the teams schedule for the visit is as follows:
Wednesday
11:00AM – Community Meet and Greet in Bruthen (Main Street) with Photo opportunities
11:25AM – A couple of Boomers players will make a 30 minute visit Tambo Upper Primary School
12:00PM – Head to Orbost
12:45PM – Lunch in Orbost (You can catch the players arriving at the Visitor Information Centre)
1:20PM – 4 Players making a school visit at Orbost Primary School
1:25PM – 4 Players making a school visit at Newmerella Primary School
3:30PM – On the road to Lakes Entrance
5:00PM – Mini Golf with Lakes Entrance Basketball Association & Guy Molloy to engage in a coach activity with Lakes Entrance Amateur Basketball Association
6:30PM – Beach Camel Ride!
Thursday
9:05AM – Four players visiting Swan Reach Primary School
9:20AM – Four other players visiting Nicholson Primary School
10:00AM – Boomers depart for Sale
11:00AM – Boomers Open training session (2 hours) at Gippsland Regional Sports Stadium
2:00PM – Depart to return back to Melbourne