By Corey Everitt
Mr Officer is now immortalised at his beloved sporting ground with the official ceremony held on the weekend to welcome the newly renamed ‘Rob Porter Recreation Reserve’.
Formerly the Officer Recreation Reserve, the grounds are inseparable from the late Rob Porter OAM who spent the vast majority of his life dedicated to the grounds, leading as president of the Community Asset Committee for over 50 years.
After his death on Christmas Day 2023, Cardinia Shire Council moved to rename the reserve in his honour. With the Porter family’s support, the name decided upon was the ‘Rob Porter Recreation Reserve’.
Typically a two-year process, the council successfully appealed for it to be fast-tracked.
In June, the renaming was officially accepted by the council and Geographic Names Victoria.
On Saturday 3 August the renaming ceremony was held with Rob’s wife Carol Porter OAM, their sons Geoff and Gavin and many members of the extended Porter family front and centre.
“We were overwhelmed by the support, from the coverage in the paper to all the people that came to his service,” Carol said.
“Rob spent years and years at the reserve and we are very proud to drive down Starling Road now and see his name, it’s a fantastic compliment to Rob and an honour for the family.”
Carol, Geoff, Gavin and Cr Brett Owen unveiled the new sign before the ceremony’s many attendees from the community.
The ceremony was held on a day full of activity, the reserve under Rob Porter’s honour fittingly saw Officer Football and Netball host rivals Pakenham.
The day’s sporting display has Mr Porter to thank for his work in pursuit of the reserve’s advancement, the pinnacle of it he got to see with the recent completion of the Officer Social Rooms.
Geoff has taken over his father’s role as president of the asset committee and pays respect to not only Mr Porter’s work but those that backed him along the way.
“When he first was there it was just an oval and a tin shed,” he said.
“Dad was the driving force, but his work was always supported by the committee members to the local MPs.
“Everyone played their part in making the reserve into a major sporting complex.”
Thanks were given to council manager Doug Evans who led the swift renaming process as well as all dignitaries who joined in the ceremony including asset committee members, Berwick MP Brad Battin, La Trobe MP Jason Wood, Pakenham MP Emma Vulin and councillors.
“The Community Asset Community was pleased with the council fast-tracking the renaming, it’s a great tribute to Rob’s decades of work,” Community Asset Committee secretary Gareth Sheean said.
“Thanks, in particular, goes to Doug Evans for getting the whole matter organised as well as the councillors who gave their support.”
