Let There Be Light

Our 2025 major fundraising campaign to raise $250,000 to completely upgrade the lighting on both Drew and Walker Ovals

On 16 July, we launched “Let There Be Light” – our 2025 major fundraising campaign to raise $250,000 – and the response so far has been fantastic with the tally right now at $60,000. A huge thank you to those who have already donated or pledged your support.

Project
This key Project aims to completely upgrade the lighting on both Drew and Walker Ovals at the conclusion of this season, setting the stage for a brighter, safer and more dynamic future for our Club. Total cost is $500,000, and we have been successful in securing $250,000 from our Council.

Download the "Let there be Light" Campaign information here.

Before reading further, please take a moment to enjoy this short video where Alex Hickey and Charlotte Simpson share what this project means for our Club – and how you can play a part in making it happen. We might be biased, but it gives us chills and really captures the spirit of our community!

Upgrading to 150 lux LED lighting will mean safer sessions, better skill development and more exciting game-day opportunities for juniors, seniors, women’s teams, Auskick and All Abilities. Our current lights are very old and unsatisfactory. Players train under just 43 lux – well below the standard for safe evening training.

Critical point
We are now approaching a critical milestone. This project needs to proceed in the upcoming off-season – it’s a one-off opportunity we can’t afford to miss. For our Club to deliver the full upgrade alongside Council’s $250,000 commitment, we need to raise as much as possible by 30 September.

Around that date, we’ll have to decide whether we can deliver the full lighting upgrade – or whether we must scale back the project to match the funds we have. If we must scale back, the reality is:

• Only Drew Oval will receive enhanced lighting coverage
• There will be fewer Friday & Saturday night games to showcase our kids and club
• It will be a lost chance to make the most of this one-off grant
• We’ll have reduced ability to grow Auskick, juniors and pool of future one point players
• There’ll still be safety issues for teams that must train on Walker Oval

Here’s how you can help right now:
Make a fully tax deductible donation now!

Donate here

In considering your donation, please refer to page 10 of the downloadable campaign information where the ways the Club will say “thank you” for different donation levels are outlined.

Encourage family members, friends or local businesses to contribute
Share our upcoming social campaign on your social media and community networks

We are very aware we have had a significant fundraiser for the HPC recently. To those donors, thank you very much, and we ask if you are able to contribute again that would be greatly appreciated.

Our Club’s history shows what we can achieve when we work together. Let’s give our whole Club the facilities our players deserve – and ensure we deliver the full vision for Herne Hill Reserve, setting us up for current and future generations of Joeys.

Together, we can light the way.

With thanks from the Campaign Team

Sue Cormack (President), Andrew Lovick, Justin Shannon, Simon Bryant, Bec Nawrocki & Rob Threlfall