Christmas has come early for two community groups in Aldinga. 

The Aldinga Sports Complex will receive $2.26M in federal funding for its redevelopment, while Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club will receive $13,550 for new equipment to keep the public safe, following lobbying from Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie.

The Aldinga Sports Complex is home to the Aldinga football, soccer, cricket and netball clubs and the Aldinga Bay bowling, croquet, hockey and riding clubs. 

The funding will assist these clubs and the City of Onkaparinga to redesign and upgrade the grounds, including two new soccer pitches and installation of cricket nets.

The funds were allocated from the federal government’s Community Development Grants Program.

“An upgrade has the scope of attracting not only more men's teams but also women's and junior teams,” Rebekha says. 

“The planned Aldinga super school will be adjacent to the sporting complex and would also benefit greatly from properly improved facilities.”

Aldinga Cricket Club Vice President Chris Richardson says his members welcomed the funding announcement.

"Our facilities are in dire need of an upgrade and this announcement will help us continue to provide a safe and fun environment for kids and adults to play cricket.

"We look forward to working with the other sporting clubs in the area to make this complex as successful as it possibly can be.”

Aldinga Soccer Club President Mick Treen was also excited to hear the news.

"The soccer club has for years shared facilities with the footy club so it would be great to have our own soccer pitches.

"This is good news for the community and other sporting clubs in the area. Hopefully we can all work together and make Aldinga Sporting hub a place everyone can enjoy."

Meanwhile, the Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club has received $13,550 for new equipment for rescue, training, first aid and resuscitation purposes.

The Capital Development Grant will assist a club that has been struggling to fundraise since a severe storm last year led to the demolition of its clubrooms.

“The club has been working out of sheds and shipping containers until its new operations centre was officially opened recently and it could be another 18 months until members have a fully functioning kiosk and restaurant to use as an income stream, so it’s been tough for these dedicated volunteers to find the money for much-needed extras,” Rebekha says.

The funding will assist the club with its vision to operate satellite surf patrols at the ramp north of the club and at Port Willunga, and also enable it to upgrade training equipment for its Nippers program for juniors.

“I would like to thank the federal government for providing this grant for the Aldinga community and I would like to acknowledge the dedication of the Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club in protecting us on the beaches this summer,” Rebekha says.

Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club Board Member and Grants Officer, Keith Holman, was appreciative of the funding and Rebekha’s support.

“Morale was at its lowest when the storm blew through Aldinga, taking our clubrooms with it along with our vision and our hopes for the future.

"Rebekha Sharkie MP was not slow in lifting our morale, making suggestions of how we could assist ourselves and also assisting with funding so could bring our vision for the future back on line."



Discussing the future vision for the Aldinga Bay Surf Life Saving Club were Club Vice President Simon Rothwell, Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie, Vice Captain Patrols Ray Tomlinson, House Manager and Surf Sports Manager Peter Symons, President Paul Hibbird, Club Captain Andrew Meyer and Grants Officer Keith Holman