Centenary of Trumper Pavilion, Chatswood Oval
Gordon District Cricket Club | November 07, 2024
2nd November was the chosen date to hold a centenary celebration of the opening of Trumper Pavilion as it coincided with Trumper’s birthday. It was back on 13th September, 1924 that the completed pavilion, a joint project between Willoughby Council and Gordon District Cricket Club, was opened by Mayor of Willoughby HW Clarke. At the same time the 1923-24 1st Grade Premiership was unfurled to an appreciative audience.
The Club proposed the name Trumper Pavilion to commemorate the late champion batsman who had moved with his family to 10 Help Street, Chatswood in 1909 and played for Gordon until his passing in 1915. The Mayor recommended adoption of the name to Council.
This year the Mayor of Willoughby, Tanya Taylor, several Councillors, local Members of Parliament, Beny Chun, President of Gordon District Cricket Club Women’s Division, officials and past and present players both male and female of both Gordon clubs and supporters were welcomed by Michael Cant, President of GDCC and Peter Sherwood, representing President of Gordon Rugby Club, Matthew Glascott.
Mayor Taylor responded on behalf of the officials then it was the turn of Richard Stobo, past Gordon 1st Grade and NSW opening bowler, to briefly interview past and present players for a memory of playing at the ground in front of the pavilion. First was Matthew Nicholson, past Gordon 1st Grade, NSW cricket captain and Australian XI player in the Boxing Day Test 1998, followed by Peter Spalding, record holder of most games for Gordon Rugby Club at 415. Next was Kinjal Kumari, current 1st Grade captain of GDCC Women’s Division and Minna Annand, captain of Gordon Rugby Women’s Sevens team. In addition renowned journalist and author, rugby coach and referee of Gordon Norm Tasker reflected on rugby highlights at Chatswood Oval.
Mayor Taylor then unveiled one of the two restored foundation stones embedded in the pavilion wall followed by a light lunch for the crowd of about one hundred in attendance inside the pavilion where photos and memorabilia were on display. One outstanding items was a frame with a drawing of the famous ‘jumping out to drive’ image of Victor Trumper against a background of leather cricket ball pieces donated by artist Paul McGrath.
Photos were taken of officials in front of Trumper Pavilion as well as the Gordon and Campbelltown-Camden 1st Grade teams who played a match that day and the next.
A handsome and well produced illustrated booklet of 100 pages edited by Ronald Cardwell on behalf of the Clubs is available for purchase. In the Shadows of Trumper Pavilion (The Trumper Pavilion 1924-2024) gives a history of Chatswood Oval, the building of Trumper Pavilion, memories of past cricketers of note, including Johnnie Moyes, Matthew Nicholson, Richard Stobo, Robert Thomas and others and a brief history of Gordon Rugby Club and GDCC Women’s Division.
Should you be interested in procuring a copy of the book please email cardwell@mcks.com.au ,who would be happy to assist.
