Woodanilling Recreation Ground

Statement of Significance

The site is important for its association with the development of recreational activities in the
district.

Physical Description

The recreation reserve consists of 9Vz acres and is on the north west corner of the townsite
adjoining Burt Road and the railway. The area consists of a main oval (used at various periods
for cricket, football, hockey and athletics) with trotting or cycling being conducted around the
perimeter. Tennis courts, clubrooms, recreation centre and camping space complete to complex.
In recent times a treated pine timber gate had been erected to delineate the oval boundary.
Around the perimeter of the reserve are large pine trees, planted in the early years. Under the
trees at the northern end of the ground is a tin shed originally used as a booth for football and
other activities.

History

For many of early Woodanilling residents, the highlight of the year's programme was the annual
Boxing Day sports. Not only was it a family picnic, but also a serious professional meeting with
some lucrative prize money to be won. The 1905 programme, watched by 600 people gave away
65 pounds in prize money with a 30 pounds Sheffield Handicap. In 1907 the prize money was
raised to 70 pounds and a band contest for 'B' grade bands along the Great Southern Railway
with prize money of 15 pounds. That year J MacDonald was awarded life membership of the
athletics club and the club appointed a deputation to wait on the Road Board to ask for the
erection of lavatories at the Recreation Ground. However, by 1909 there was severe internal
division within the Woodanilling Athletic Club and the meetings after 1910 were held at Easter as
the business people held a New Year picnic meeting. There could be little doubt that the
unpleasantness of the previous year lingered on and that the picnic sports on New Year's Day was
organised to rival the Boxing Day meeting. The move to exclude Aborigines (as defined in the
Licensing Act) from the programme caused further controversy. A race for full blood Aborigines
was run with a prize of four pounds.

Cricket was perhaps the first sport to be played on the ground. When the Moojebing Cricket Club
replaced the Carrolup team for the 1901-02 season in the local association there were three other
teams - Katanning, Marracoonda and Woodanilling. Notable names associated with cricket
include Harold Fidock who represented WA on a number of occasions. Fidock was reputed to be
an outstanding fast bowler whose pace was such that he bowled a ball called 6 byes as it sailed
over the batsman, wicket keeper and boundary. Gordon Becker, who drew up in the town later
represented the State and Australia as a wicket keeper - batsman in the 1960's. Charlie Ratcliff,
played country cricket in England prior to emigrating after WW1. Ratcliff was a key member of
the 1920's team which was undefeated for four seasons. Other prominent players of this era
included members of the Prosser, Meharry, Bell, Wilson-Dival farnilies and later Eric and Ron
Coles (unrelated) were outstanding cricketers.

Football was well supported and in 1907 it was reported that a club was formed and again named
the 'Federal'. (Colours blue and white). It was decided to join the Katanning Association. The
Woodanilling Football Club was later forced to disband through lack of players in June 1954. It
had a chequered history throughout its existence.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

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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.