Petersham Park, Sydney

Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | September 10, 2024

Petersham Park was proclaimed as a public park in 1887. It was originally located on land owned by William Charles Wentworth the famous Australian explorer, poet, journalist and politician. A creek flowed through the property while it was also used as a dairy farm in its early days.

In 1892 the ground was levelled and a sporting oval was laid out. A rotunda was erected in 1902 next to the oval and remains to the present day to the delight of the many brides who visit for photographs. At the northern end of the ground, stone seating was put in place for spectators and was typical of the stonework constructed in many parts of the Petersham area in the early 1900s.

The influence of Sydney Smith following his election as Hon Secretary in 1901-02 was instantaneous as in just his second year he achieved the construction of a picket fence around the oval. Within a year he had also convinced the NSW Cricket Association to help finance improvements to the ground with a grant of £50. Some interesting expense in that project was £26 for Bulli soil and £11 for sight screens. 

Mellick Wealth Management are proud sponsors of Randwick Petersham Cricket Club

In the 1904-05 report Mr Smith claimed that the oval would “compare favourably with any in the State”.

The upgrade in status to a 1st Grade club in 1907 necessitated the enlargement of the oval to accommodate the playing of top level cricket and the work was undertaken without delay. The dressing rooms at the ground were expanded as well while a telephone was connected to the pavilion “for the convenience of players”. The cost of the alterations was met in part by generous cricket followers in the district.  

Petersham Oval today