Image credit: Dederang Mt Beauty FNC.
The 2026 WorkSafe Country Club Week Series begins this weekend in the Tallangatta and District Football League, with Dederang-Mt Beauty Football Netball Club (FNC) hosting Mitta United at Mount Beauty Recreation Reserve.
The Dederang-Mt Beauty Bombers formed in 1976 after years of smaller clubs in the region merging and folding, including Bogong - Tawonga Football Club, with the Bombers flying high for 50 continuous years, though football in the region dates well back into the 1800s.
While this section of Victoria’s Alpine Shire has only a few hundred residents, its community spirit is strong, with the football club the heartbeat of the local community.
The WorkSafe Country Club Week will put the Dederang and Mount Beauty townships in the spotlight throughout the week with visits from Western Bulldogs AFL premiership player, Tom Boyd, and Melbourne Vixens players.
The WorkSafe Country Club Week initiative aims to champion regional communities and their volunteers, while reminding everyone that, just like a winning footy team, a safe workplace relies on every person playing their role, taking responsibility, and always looking out for each other - because working safe is a team sport.
2026 marks the 25th season of the AFL Victoria and WorkSafe partnership, which has seen 133 clubs host one of these events since 2002 and a further 192 clubs have benefited from the annual WorkSafe Club Safety Fund program.
By taking part in the week, Dederang-Mt Beauty FNC will receive more than $15,000 worth of value from WorkSafe, along with new equipment such as footballs, netballs and goal post padding to support the club.
Head of AFL Victoria, Greg Madigan, said that the Country Club Weeks are a highlight of the community football calendar.
“Football clubs are the heartbeat of many regional communities, and I look forward to seeing the people of Dederang and Mount Beauty embrace all the activity around this Country Club Week,” Madigan said.
“This initiative continues to provide crucial education, support and funding to regional communities, who are often working hard off field in physically demanding and sometimes dangerous jobs.
“Just like footy, working safe is a team sport, and AFL Victoria is proud to have partnered with WorkSafe for 25 seasons.”
Former Western Bulldogs AFL premiership player and WorkSafe ambassador Tom Boyd said the WorkSafe Country Club Week series is the highlight of his year.
“I am extremely excited to attend the first WorkSafe Country Club week for 2026 at the Dederang Mount Beauty Football Netball Club - these events are invaluable as they allow us to engage with the heart and soul of regional communities within Victoria,” Boyd said.
“Working safe is a team sport, and requires support, communication and engagement to succeed.
“We also know that workplace safety isn’t just the physical aspects, and that mental safety such as stress, relationships and fatigue are just as important.
“I can’t wait to speak to as many people as possible throughout next week!”.
This weekend will be the first of six WorkSafe Country Club Games for 2026, and by focusing on agricultural communities where risks of injury are heightened, WorkSafe aims to build connections and deliver essential safety guidance to safeguard at risk Victorians.
Match centre available on PlayHQ, please click here.
Dederang-Mt Beauty v Mitta United (Senior Men)
Date: Saturday 28 March
Time: 2:15pm
Location: Mount Beauty Recreation Reserve
In its 25th season of supporting country football, WorkSafe will again feature six regional Victorian clubs as part of its Country Club Series, with the host clubs from all corners of the state.
For more information on the Country Club series, visit play.afl/victoria/community-programs/worksafe-afl-victoria-country
2026 WorkSafe Country Club Series
MATCH ONE
Dederang-Mt Beauty v Mitta United
Saturday 28 March
Mount Beauty Recreation Reserve
MATCH TWO
Warracknabeal v Southern Mallee Thunder
Saturday 30 May
ANZAC Park, Warracknabeal
MATCH THREE
Tarwin v Thorpedale
Saturday 20 June
Tarwin Lower Recreation Reserve
MATCH FOUR
Orbost Snowy Rovers v Boisdale/Briagolong
Saturday 11 July
Lochiel Street Reserve, Orbost
MATCH FIVE
Hawkesdale/Macarthur v Lismore/Derrinallum
Saturday 1 August
Hawkesdale Recreation Reserve
MATCH SIX
Koroit v Terang/Mortlake
Saturday 22 August
Victoria Park, Koroit