They say from little things, big things grow.
Residents in the small rural town of Boyup Brook hope a new community crop will fund upgrades to its sporting facilities.
Boyup Brook Sport and Recreation Association president Tara Reid was thinking of the future as she watched the seeder do its first run, about 270 kilometres south east of Perth.
“It’s actually very overwhelming today, this is six years in the making, but momentum really got going last year,” Ms Reid said.
With a population of about 1,700, the town’s sporting facilities have not changed since the 1970s.
Residents decided something needed to be done about it.
The idea’s genesis was in the practice of reserving paddocks to help fund local sporting clubs and community groups.
“They’ve done it for a number of years out east in the Wheatbelt,” Ms Reid said.
“So we thought we’d give it a crack too.”
More than 15 local businesses have donated equipment, money and land to make the program run smoothly.
“We are hoping to raise around $90,000, this hard work will give people a sense of pride in their community,” Ms Reid said.
“We want to upgrade the current clubhouse, the change rooms so they are safe for all members and have more privacy and to provide a space for indoor sports courts.
“There’s so much to start with though that sport can give back in terms of learning resilience, volunteering, taking pride in the colours you wear.”
It takes a village
Boyup resident Charles Caldwell is one of two farmers on board, offering up a total of 35 hectares over a three year period to sew a barley crop.
Mr Caldwell has taken time out of his own seeding schedule to help the broader community.
He said there were a lot of good things sport and recreation could offer for small towns.
“Other community members can come out who might not know much about cropping, it’s a win-win,” he said.
“There’s also a chance for rock picking; so there is some character building.”
Upgrade well overdue
Wayde Robertson agreed to be the coordinator of the Community Cropping program and donated barley seed.
When asked to describe what the facilities looked like now, his reply was brief.
“Old,” he said.
He said he wanted his family and others to benefit from an update to the club, especially the footy change rooms.
“I use to play there as a child and now, I’ve got two young kids, [the club] hasn’t really changed since the 70s,” he said.
Mr Robertson said he hoped the program would raise a large amount of money for the sports ground but he was also being realistic.
“The season will dictate the end amount, more rain for May would have been good,” the farmer said.
“But when everyone is here together getting things done, it makes you want to push harder.”