Cowaramup Community Sports and Show Ground

Child Places

• 26142 Cowaramup CWA Hall (Former)

Statement of Significance

Cowaramup Community Park is of significance:
• For its value to the community as the centre of sporting and social events and its contribution to the community spirit of the Cowaramup area since 1926.
• As evidence of the community spirit and activity of the group settlers and later members of this farming community.

Physical Description

The site includes a large oval, 4 tennis courts, basketball court, modern sports rooms, children's playground and barbecue facilities.There are mature trees around the perimeter of the site, which provide a sense of enclosure.Associated places include the Cowaramup Hall (Place # CO-03) and the Cowaramup CWA Hall (Place # CO-02).

History

The Cowaramup district was opened up for closer settlement with the establishment of the Group Settlement Scheme in the early 1920s. Groups 12 and 13, which were in the immediate vicinity of the present town, were both established in April 1922. With the commencement of a railway service in 1924 Cowaramup siding became a busy local centre.The Cowaramup Community Park originated as part of a project of the Cowaramup Progress Association in 1926/27. The object was to provide a sports area and a show or agricultural ground for the district to service the group settlement community. All of the work was carried out by group settlers. The clearing and felling was done by Syd Percy of Group 13 (Cowaramup) and his sons Bert and Bob for £16. This was done by means of a tree puller and horse, burning and cross sawing of trees. The log clearing was carried out by Len Bell of Group 18 (Wirring) for £18. The fencing was done by Jim Gallagher of Group 17 (Bramley).The first Cowaramup Show was held on 5 November 1927 and was opened by His Excellency, The Governor Sir William Campion. An exhibition shed was built on the northern side of the grounds in time for the 1927 show. Shows were held on the grounds until 1932, after which time the exhibition shed served as a grandstand and afternoon tea servery for the many sporting events held on the oval. It was also used as a picture hall.In the early 1950s the shed was proving inadequate and a new complex was built, east of the tennis courts, which incorporated a grandstand and change room.
During the early years the grounds were also used by the RSL for their yearly sports meeting, an event which was eventually taken over by the Hall and Reserve Committee after the Second World War.Until the mid 1970s the place was one of the busiest sports grounds in the area. Sports played included cricket, football, and men’s and women’s hockey. After this time the ground remained unused until the yearly Cowaramup Fair was inaugurated in 1982, funds raised from this event being used to maintain the oval and surrounds. Trees have been planted on the east, south and north boundaries and in 1985 a pine post fence was erected on two sides of the ground,marking the renaming of the ground to Cowaramup Community Park.

Integrity/Authenticity

High: The original use has been maintained.
Medium: The place has had some alterations, but the original intent/character is still clearly evident.

Condition

Good *Assessed from streetscape survey only

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.