Since Village Green turf was laid at Lebanon Reserve in 2009 by Anco turf company, it has been “pretty much left to fend for itself” through years of drought and tough management conditions.

The grounds hosts Australian Rules football during the winter and cricket in the summer – has surprised Moonee Valley City Council with how well it had held on. “It’s really not had a lot love, it’s not ever been fertilised and while the Village Green has thinned in some areas, the oval has a full coverage of turf.” As the home ground of the Strathmore Football Club which fields 20 teams over a number of grades every other week during the season, the turf on Lebanon Reserve gets plenty of use during the winter months.