Rochester Go Kart Club upgrades speed to finish line

27/11/2024

With just over 3,000 people living in Rochester, community is at the heart of what the town stands for.

Rochester was among the many regional and rural towns affected by the 2022 floods. The community remains resilient in its recovery.

Part of the community’s spirit is in the renovations of the Rochester Go Kart Club, which is showing how a small investment is transforming the club and offering more space for the broader community.

Located 10 minutes out of Rochester, the local club is doing its part to contribute to stronger community spirit, as well as offering a space for community events and refuge.

For almost 15 years, Rochester Go Kart Club President John Trebilcock has been immersed in go karting across regional Victoria.

’My son is the one that races – I’m just the pseudo mechanic,’ John says.

John took the helm as the club president two years ago and has maintained a vision to modernise the club’s facilities including its kitchen and canteen making it fit for purpose well into the future.

'Being club president is a way for me repay to the club what we've been able to achieve through our go karting journey,’ John says.

Earlier this year, the club received a grant from our Tiny Towns Fund to restore its 20-year-old kitchen and canteen.

This includes commercial grade rangehoods and deep fryers that are a step above the old portable canteen.

’The upgrades are a tremendous bonus for the club,’ John says.

According to John, the canteen meets all necessary health and safety standards with modern appliances to assist volunteers in preparing food for race events.

It will also offer food to patrons of the club and for special events like the Golden Power Series which is the largest racing series that takes place in Victoria.

The race attracts more than 200 competitors from across the state for all age groups with up to 1,500 people attending in Rochester – playing a key part in putting the town in the spotlight throughout regional Victoria.

Rochester Go Kart Club is available to community organisations like the CFA to host events like Christmas parties.

John says the new canteen and kitchen will benefit the community and opens up the possibility of acting as a place of refuge or for use by emergency services during natural disasters.

’It provides another canteen facility in the event of an emergency incident like the floods particularly when the town is cut off from both directions,’ John adds.

The works at the club are being carried out by a local Rochester carpenter with the finishing touches being added before it is ready to use this summer.

’Hiring local is all about the resilience of what Rochester has been through – particularly with the floods,’ John says.

Projects like this are making a difference to small towns like Rochester, ensuring their sporting clubs and communities are best equipped for years to come.

To find out more about Rochester Go Kart Club, visit the Rochester Go Kart Club website.