Emma Pritchard|

The Grafton Ghosts will be mowing down their opposition on a very well-maintained Frank McGuren Field this season after the club was presented with a Toro 2000 Series HDX on February 25.

Delivered as part of the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership Program, the impressive piece of machinery, worth a cool $15000, will enable the club to maintain the site of some of their greatest achievements, courtesy of several volunteers, aka nominated drivers tasked with mowing the holy turf.

Describing the new ride-on mower as “a major asset” for the popular local sporting club, President Neil Payne graciously acknowledged Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis and Mitch Collins from Grafton Power Products who supplied the machine and provided an operational demonstration on the day.

Mr Payne also thanked the dedicated volunteers of the Grafton District Services Club who have previously spent the past 12 months maintaining the hallowed ground of Frank McGuren Field on behalf of the Grafton Ghosts.

“We’ve got the best rugby league surface in the Clarence Valley and now we’ll be able to keep it in top condition with the arrival of our new mower,” Mr Payne said.

“It was actually our juniors who applied for the grant because we didn’t have a mower and where do country sporting clubs find $15000? So we’re certainly very happy to have it.

“We’re very appreciative to have the new mower and the Clarence River Jockey Club (located across the street) have provided us with a lock up shed so when the mower isn’t in use, it’ll be out of the weather and safely stored nearby and we’re very thankful to them.”

Grafton Ghosts life member Peter Eichmann and Vice President Eric Fuller were also presented with the opportunity to take the new ride-on for a test drive, complete with a few donuts and humorous smiles.

“It’s a good looking piece of equipment, so I reckon it’ll do the job,” Mr Eichmann said confidently.