In Broadmeadows today for the Victorian Government’s Hume and Whittlesea Community Cabinet, Mr Brumby said Barry Road Recreation Reserve in Broadmeadows Valley Park would be upgraded and named the John IIhan Memorial Reserve in honour of the late John Ilhan.

“Mr Ilhan was a great Australian success story. The son of Turkish immigrants he came to Melbourne when he was three years of age and went on to preside over a successful mobile phone company,” Mr Brumby said.

“He was a great philanthropist, giving an enormous amount of his wealth back to the community through a great number of charities.

“Mr Ilhan was also a great promoter of Victoria and in particular Melbourne’s north-western suburbs and it is fitting that this recreation reserve – which is used by so many young people and families every day – is named in his honour.”

John Ilhan died on October 23 in 2007, aged 42. Mr Brumby, while Treasurer, appointed Mr Ilhan as honorary business ambassador for Melbourne’s north. 

Under the proposal to upgrade the Barry Road Recreation Reserve, the Government will contribute $250,000 towards building a synthetic surface soccer pitch at the reserve with the Hume City Council to also provide $250,000 towards the project.

“Broadmeadows Valley Park is home to the Hume City Football Club – the largest playing club in the Hume area, it has both women’s and men’s teams and is looking to expand in the future,” Mr Brumby said.

“Sadly, drought has impacted on the quality of a number of grass soccer pitches but a synthetic pitch can withstand a high level of use without deterioration and requires no water to maintain.

“The new soccer pitch will also mean other groups will have access to a great training and match facility, and given John’s commitment to the north-west suburbs, I am sure he would be pleased to know sporting clubs throughout the area will soon benefit from this great new pitch.” 

Mr Brumby thanked Mr Ilhan’s family for their support and said the Government would be working closely with the Hume City Council to progress the proposal.

“On behalf of the Government I would like to thank Mr Ilhan’s family, his wife Patricia and their four children, Jaida, Hannah, Yasmin and Aiden for their support for the John Ilhan Memorial Reserve.

“I look forward to seeing the John Ilhan Memorial Reserve, and in particular the new soccer pitch, continuing to provide a sporting and recreation opportunities for young people and their families across the north-west and hope it will become a permanent reminder to the community of John – a great Victorian success story and a proud advocate of Melbourne’s north-west.”