Department of Sport and Recreation

Full description

Establishment and Functions

In 1985 the Department of Sport and Recreation assumed the sport and recreation functions of the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation (VA 1028).

Following significant machinery of government changes after the election of the first Kennett Government in October 1992, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism (VA 3095) was established by Administrative Arrangements Order No.114, assuming all functions of the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Location of Records

No departmental records have been transferred to the Public Record Office. See also List of Holdings 2nd edition 1985, section 3.20.2 (Raffles and Bingo) and 3.20.3 (1956 Olympic Games Organising Committee).

The Department is responsible for formulating, controlling and directing policy and administration relating to the leisure time activities and general physical health of Victorians, and the regulation of racing and gaming.

The prime functions of the Department are:

provision of advice and financial assistance to municipal councils and community groups to aid recreation planning and the design and management of facilities
training recreation workers, sports officials and coaches
State-wide co-ordination of sport, recreation, leisure, safety and fitness programmes and services
regulation of professional boxing and martial arts
development and management of major facilities such as the National Tennis Centre
support for the State Sports Council and the Community Recreation Council
regulation of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing
registration of bookmakers
regulations of off course totalizer betting, raffles, bingo and other gaming activities.

The Department administers the Sport and Recreation Act 1972, the Racing Act 1958 and the Lotteries, Gaming and Betting Act 1966.