The original pavilion was destroyed by a fire in 2012 and Bega Valley Shire Council approved a tender from Zauner Construction in August last year to replace it at a cost of $600,000.

Dickinson Oval Sportsground Committee chairman Peter Fazey said, after the fire, members from each of the groups who used the oval formed a committee and worked out what they wanted in a new pavilion.

Funding was provided by the NSW Government Community Building Partnership Program and Bega Valley Shire Council. 

Mr Fazey said the council had been very supportive through the whole process. 

On Saturday, July 18, Member for Bega Andrew Constance, Bega Valley Shire Mayor Michael Britten, Bega Valley Shire councillors Liz Seckold, Sharon Tapscott, Tony Allen, Kristy McBain and Russell Fitzpatrick as well as council’s general manager Leanne Barnes attended the official opening ceremony. 

During the ceremony the delegates congratulated each other on a job well done.

Gary Pearse, ex-Wallaby and ex-coach of the Bermagui-Cobargo Sharks, emceed the proceedings and welcomed everyone to the opening. 

Many years ago, the area that would become Dickinson Oval was a wetland full of mangroves before it was built up with sand. 

Mr Pearse said in the 1930s the area was used as a golf course, and the greens were sand greens. 

He said Dickinson Oval was constructed in 1941, but prior to that, rugby and cricket were played on the fairway. 

Mayor Britten said the completed pavilion was a “fantastic result” and it followed on from the construction of the Bermagui Surf Life Saving Club as a boon for the community. 

Mr Constance congratulated the management committee before cutting the ceremonial ribbon with three sporting stalwarts who had been major users of the sports ground for many years - Clyde Watt who represented rugby union and league, Des Farrell representing AFL and Brian Lewin representing cricket.