After more than 30 years of shared use, the School Council of Auburn High School in Hawthorn has decided that community use of its playing fields (John Gardiner Reserve) is to end.

With the existing sports facilities of local Councils in Melbourne's Inner East already under enormous pressure, long term tenants of John Gardiner Reserve are unlikely to be allocated Council space, meaning hundreds of boys, girls, women and men will lose the sports they love.

This is particularly bad timing, as Melbournians emerge from COVID lockdown and are desperate to rekindle friendships through sport, get outside again and run around in the fresh air.

But it needn't be this way.  Department of Education policy encourages schools to make their sports facilities available to local community groups after school hours.  It not only puts local schools at the heart of their community, but allows governments to invest in higher quality facilities given their broad use by school and community.  And after hours use of school facilities cuts down on crime and vandalism.

Long term users of John Gardiner Reserve are willing to work with the School to find a win-win for all.

Please show your support for community use of high quality school facilities by signing and sharing our petition today.  Let's keep John Gardiner Reserve open for school AND community use!

Be sure to enter your postcode accurately (Hawthorn is 3122, Hawthorn East is 3123).  We are not seeking financial support for this petition, any funds you donate through change.org will go to change.org, not us.