Tara Murray
The family of Diggers Rest icon Charlie Watson say he would be thrilled to have a part of the Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve named after him.
At last week’s Melton council meeting, councillor Lara Carli raised a notice of motion in regards to considering naming a component of the reserve sporting facilities, such as an oval or club rooms, after Mr Watson, once the council’s memorial and recognition policy is approved by later this year.
The new club rooms were opened recently, while there has been oval upgrades as well.
Mr Watson was a founding member of the Diggers Rest and Diggers Rest Junior football clubs, Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve and the Burras Club
He was also heavily involved with the Diggers Rest Lions Club, was a former councillor and president of the Shire of Melton, and was the driving force behind the creation and development of the entire town during the late 1970s.
He also played a significant role with the Riddell District Football Netball League.
Mr Watson died on May 17, 2022.
His wife Betty Watson said she thought the idea was a lovely idea.
“He would be rapt,” she said. “I thought about suggesting it, but I didn’t think it should come from me.
“He was absolutely Diggers Rest, through and through. He was in Diggers Rest from the 1960s.”
Mrs Watson said while her husband was on council and on the board of the footy club at the same time, he didn’t do them any favours and made them work for everything they got.
Mr Watson was still a visitor on match days until late in his life, with Mrs Watson still helping out at every home game now.
She was at the opening of the new pavilion.
“I was asked what he would have thought about the new club rooms and he would have been absolutely rapt.” she said.
Council officers will now engage in discussions with the Watson family, sporting clubs and user groups about this proposal and brief councillors on the outcomes and suggestions after consultation.
