By Esther Lauaki
What’s your connection to Brimbank?
My grandparents lived in Brimbank for 60-plus years.
My father was born in Brimbank and has lived here all his life. I was born in Brimbank, right across the road from Sunshine Baseball Club.
My father played baseball with Sunshine and I was involved essentially from the day I was born. I started playing baseball aged 12.
How long have you lived in the area?
I lived, grew up and went to school in Brimbank. I have spent many days chasing lizards and rabbits along Kororoit Creek. I lived in Brimbank until 27.
What are you passionate about?
Playing and being actively involved with Sunshine Baseball Club. I played with Sunshine and now my children are playing with Sunshine.
What does your role within the Sunshine Baseball Club involve?
Most recently coaching senior and junior teams. This season I am junior co-ordinator with Sunshine Baseball Club and looking forward to young people in Brimbank joining to experience a new sport and meet new friends.
What would you like to achieve in your role this season?
An outcome with young people happy to play baseball, with Sunshine Baseball Club as a bonus. An environment where young people can learn this wonderful sport and understand how it can help them grow as people.
There is opportunity for both individual and team outcomes in baseball.
All young people returning next season to play again because of the enjoyment and fun of playing at Sunshine Baseball Club.
What’s the quirkiest thing about you?
Nothing like a good dose of Jimmy Buffet (Pencil Thin Moustache and many others).
What do you love about Brimbank?
It has so much potential and has a fantastic mix of cultures and diversity. There are many good stories and to have young people getting involved with the oldest senior sporting club like Sunshine Baseball Club in Brimbank would be even better.
What would you like to see improved?
More fringe sports getting a better balance of support from the local council. There will always be cricket and football, and there are also many other avenues for people to be active.
