By Tanya Steele
If you were looking for yellow and green party supplies this week you’d be out of luck as “Tilly’ fever swept through the Yarra Ranges.
Up and down the highway people got on board to support Matilda’s with multiple live screenings of the games and decorations galore.
Healesville Soccer Club watched the Matilda’s games avidly and Ava Holman from the U14 Girls Whites and Healesville Womens Team said that watching the World Cup and especially the Matilda’s has inspired her to play even more soccer.
“Hearing all their stories and how they have got to the world stage has shown me that anything is possible. It’s so cool that the whole nation has got behind the team and has supported them,” she said.
“Even my friends that don’t play soccer have been getting into it – it shows just how influential the Matildas are.”
Charlee Riley who also plays for one of the Healesville girls teams said the Matildas fantastic performance inspired her to score her first goal of the season against the top of the ladder team.
Some residents were lucky enough to attend a few games at AAMI Park and Charlotte Archibald from the U14 Girls Whites and Healesville Women’s Team said the stadiums were full of fans and the atmosphere was incredible.
“It made me so proud to be an Australian and left me wanting more,” she said.
The Matildas game screenings were also shown at Arts Centre Warburton and had small but passionate turnouts.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child was very pleased with the events and said that the Council was very excited to be able to offer the community free events as the community came together a in time of celebration.
“It’s also very pleasing to showcase the multiple uses that our cultural venues can deliver to a wide audience,” he said.
Local businesses in Healesville celebrated the mighty soccer team with cheerful yellow and green shop displays.
Jo, the baker at Wild Grains Bakehouse went all out with balloons, streamers and decorations.
“It took him a few mornings and he kept adding to it,” the staff said.
Barry and Kay from Crumbz Craft have hung pom poms and scarves in their shop front.
“We wanted to show our support,” Kay said.
Barry had the original idea and even learnt how to make the paper tissue pom poms he used to decorate the window, he then brought in some scarves from home.
“I just think it’s so incredible what they did,” he said.
The Matildas have created history at this World Cup and Ava said it will be something no one will forget.
“The fact that it has been on home soil is just amazing,” she said.
