Improvements at Chatswood Oval
Gordon District Cricket Club | January 09, 2025
There was considerable discussion at Committee meetings after the War ‘to bring Chatswood Oval into line with other sporting grounds in the city and suburbs.’ Much was achieved in the next five years. In May 1919, a tender of £20 was accepted for the installation of a ‘practice wickets area’ to measure 60 feet by 40 feet (18.3 metres by 12.2 metres) at the northern end of the Oval. It no longer exists but for many decades the Club used these pitches at the beginning of the season and moved to those at the southern end after Christmas.
During the 1920-21 season, after prolonged discussions with Willoughby Council and its Engineer, the Oval was widened by 30 feet (9.14 metres) on the eastern side. In the same season the construction of an ‘up-to-date scoring board’ at a cost of £43 was covered by donations. Bavin’s School (Mowbray House) and Chatswood High School were among those who undertook to raise funds for this project.
A grant of £100 from the NSW Cricket Association in the 1921-22 season assisted progress. A concrete roller, 3 feet (91cm) in diameter and weighing between 5 cwt and 10 cwt (250 and 500 kg) was purchased. Interestingly, only a couple of years later, a decision was taken to have the roller ‘concreted’ again. The ground was top-dressed during the season ‘with 150 loads of earth at a cost of about £60.’
This was repeated in the following season, the Annual Report stating that ‘Your Club is indebted to ex-Alderman Holterman for kindly donating the top-dressing for the Oval, the Club only paying the cartage.’ The Report also said that ‘during the year, the Committee deemed it necessary to purchase a horse (to pull the roller), the previous arrangement of hiring a horse when required proving unsatisfactory.’
The picket fence around the Oval was painted during the winter of 1923, Willoughby Council supplying the material and the Club, the labour. Eight sight-boards were acquired in 1923-24. Much was achieved in obtaining equipment and in improving the Oval in the five years after WW1.
Construction of the Trumper Pavilion
Although much progress had been achieved in improving Chatswood Oval, one item was still outstanding. From early in 1919, not long after WW1 had ended, the construction and financing of a much needed new pavilion was a frequent item at Committee meetings. A number of special meetings were arranged at times for the sole purpose of discussing the project and various sub-committees were appointed to follow up different matters.
Clearly it was a time-consuming and frustrating project but eventually, in 1924, the construction was completed. While many committeemen were involved, Syd Smith, Percy Dive and Walter Renshaw were the most prominent in meetings with aldermen and officers of Willoughby Council, with architects and builders, and with local businessmen in fund-raising activities.
One such event, a ‘send off’ for the Australian team to tour England in 1921, was held on 24 February 1921 at the Arcadia Theatre in Chatswood. Warwick Armstrong, the captain of the Australian team, Frederick Toone, the manager of the English team nearing the end of its 1920-21 Australian tour, and other members of both teams were present. Part of the occasion was Gordon’s farewell to its three representatives, Charlie Macartney, Johnny Taylor and Club Secretary, Syd Smith, who was manager of the team. There was wide community support with several hundred attending and the net proceeds, including donations, were £153.
It was so successful that the Club decided to hold a similar event early in the following year as a ‘welcome home’ to the team. It was held at the Dreadnought Theatre and included a number of fund-raising segments. Warwick Armstrong auctioned cameras donated by Kodak and photos taken on the tour were donated by Syd Smith. Five hundred postcard photos of the Australian team, donated by Sid Riley and FC Petrie, were available for sale. An appeal was made to the hundreds present to support the Pavilion Fund.
The net proceeds from the function and donations were a marvellous $298. The organisation of the event had been thorough and shared by many, but Percy Dive was singled out for a special vote of thanks.
The plans by the architect for the new pavilion were rejected and he was replaced by Mr H Harmer. He estimated the cost of construction on his plans as £2,500 but the lowest tender was £2,675. After further discussions with Willoughby Council and the NSWCA, particularly on the financing issues, these plans were also rejected.
A sub-committee sought advice from Mr Frank Buckle, an architect and prominent First Grade cricketer who had played one match for NSW. He produced a new plan, which ‘without materially altering its appearance or affecting its stability’ would cost only about £2,000.
Eventually the Club’s 1922-23 Annual Report gave members the long-awaited news. ‘It is pleasing to record that at last definite approval has been given to the erection of a new pavilion on Chatswood Oval. The plans of the proposed structure submitted by your Committee to the Willoughby Council have been accepted, as has also the Club’s offer to contribute £500 and to pay the interest on the amount borrowed by the Council to complete the work.’
Delays have occurred - the most recent being due to the necessity for the closing of a road which, according to records, ran an imaginary course through the northern end of the Oval, traversing the area allocated for the new pavilion. Your Committee is prepared to fulfil its obligation immediately, but cannot move further until action is taken by the Council. It is expected that the Council will call tenders at an early date, and hopes are entertained that the pavilion will be ready for the opening of the season 1923-24.’
That report, written in May 1923, was very optimistic in expecting the pavilion to be completed by the end of September, only a few months later. Possibly it should have read ‘season 1924-25.’ A date was subsequently set for an opening ceremony in April 1924, but it had to be deferred until its completion in September 1924. In accordance with an earlier decision, it was bestowed with the name Trumper Pavilion.
The builder was Mr Garnet Finlay and the architects were Messrs Buckle and Carfrae.
In addition to its long-standing commitment of £500, the Club had to pay all costs over £2,000, the condition set by the Council for its acceptance of the tender. As the lowest tender was £2,090, the Club’s contribution to the construction cost became £590. It also had to pay £82/2/6 (eighty-two pounds, two shillings and sixpence) to Mr Harmer, the architect, for his work in preparing the plans which had been rejected and for other costs such as a ‘shelter shed’ for the gatekeeper and the fencing of the pavilion area.
The Annual Report for 1923-24, the season Gordon’s First Grade team won the premiership, spoke glowingly of its home ground which would be ready for the following 1924-25 season.
‘It is fitting that in the hour of your Club’s triumph, the efforts of not only those participating in the game, but also of those who have so resolutely and efficiently worked to provide suitable accommodation for players and spectators at Chatswood Oval, should be rewarded.’
‘Encircled by a fair-sized enclosure and with a seating-deck capable of comfortably accommodating 450 spectators, the new pavilion stands as a lasting memorial to those whose untiring energy, both on and off the field, has brought it into being. Your Club is honoured that it should be called the Trumper Pavilion after the greatest batsman of all time. From the perspective of both players and spectators, the appointments are certainly unequalled on any suburban ground.’
Some further matters received attention during the next few months. Accommodation was arranged in the Pavilion for the scorers and members of the press, and a telephone link was set up between the Pavilion and the scoreboard. An offer by Mr AS Norquay to supply ‘garden seats’ for the pavilion area was accepted. Willoughby Council was asked to provide five tons of gravel for paths within the pavilion enclosure and for additional seating in the enclosure on a 50/50 basis with the Club.
The canteen and kitchen were let to Mr C Almond and three of the conditions were that (1) he pay the cost of the gas (2) he charge a maximum of nine pence for afternoon tea and (3) ‘the fare provided be subjected to the approval of the Committee.’
