Walter Padbury Reserve and trees

Statement of Significance

The sports ground has social value for the many members of the community who have attended the venue for organised and passive recreation since the 1950s. The two mature Chinese Elms (Ulmus parvifolia) have aesthetic and historic value for their association with the community commitment to the founding of the Thornlie Cricket Club and as good thriving examples of the species.

Physical Description

Walter Padbury Reserve is a series of grassed sports fields with some mature planting located on the boundaries. There are several associated buildings on the site the earliest of which is the Laurie Morris Pavilion. This amenities building is a single storey painted brick structure with high level openings a series of entry doors with metal security grilles. The reserve is enclosed by a variety of mature trees creating a distinctive boundary to the recreation area. The two mature Chinese Elms (Ulmus parvifolia) located on the boundary of the original oval and adjacent to the car park are in good condition.

History

This reserve was designated in 1958 for the purpose of recreation and vested in the Gosnells Road Board in 1960. The Thornlie Cricket Club was established in 1959 and thereafter the momentum to create dedicated ovals for the club continued. It was the members of the fledgling Cricket Club that provided the volunteer labour to water the oval during the first year. Members of the Thornlie Cricket Club, Laurie Morris and Noel Woods, planted the two Chinese Elms (Ulmus parvifolia) on the edge of the oval c.1959. These two men were instrumental in the founding of the club. The contribution of Laurie Morris is acknowledged with the naming of the clubrooms in his honour. By 1965, the main oval and cricket pitch had been established and a small clubhouse was built on the location of the current clubhouse adjacent to Berehaven Avenue. By 1977, the Cassidy Road oval had been prepared for use as two soccer ovals and an additional club house had been built on the western side of the oval. At the same time the Hume Road Oval was being prepared for use and by the early 1980s it was well established. In 2002, the reserve was named in honour of Walter Padbury (1820-1907) a pioneering pastoralist and merchant in Western Australia and a generous philanthropist. Padbury had arrived in Western Australia with his father in February 1830, but in the following July his father died, and the boy had to fend for himself. He followed various occupations and when 16 was shepherding near York. He worked in a variety of jobs on the land and saved enough to send for his mother and the rest of his family. He aquired land and was one of the first settlers to open up the north-west of Australia, and in 1863 was sending stock by sailing ships to Carnarvon. He retained his interest in the north-west all his life, but he also established a general store business in Perth and other centres. Late in life he founded a successful flour-mill at Guildford. He was much interested in the Royal Agricultural Society and achieved the positon of president. For many years he was a member of the Perth City Council, for some time was chairman of the Guildford Council, and for five years was an elected member of the old Legislative Council. His generosity to his family and his community is well documented and it was his financial contribution to the establishment of 'Thornlie Park' that was the reason for the honour at this site. 'Thornlie Park' farm was established by Padbury's niece Amy James and her husband Frank in 1884.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: High

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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