Cliff Sadlier VC Memorial Park

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance for the City of Subiaco: • As one part of the major 1930s drainage scheme which finally addressed the flooding problems which had been affecting low-lying parts of Subiaco since the early twentieth century (historic values); • As a parkland reserve that was directly associated with the development of a new residential area on the former University Endowment Lands at Daglish in the 1960s-1990s (aesthetic and historic values); • For its enduring commemoration of Cliff Sadlier, who was a WWI hero and Subiaco resident (historic values); and • As a place for community recreation (social values).

Physical Description

This large undulating park has open grassed areas shaded by scattered mature trees. At the northern end of the park (near the corner of Wilsmore Street and Cunningham Terrace) a rough-hewn plinth bears a plaque inscribed with the full citation for Cliff Sadlier’s VC. Roughly parallel to Woolnough Street, a landscaped intermittent ‘watercourse’ continues to act as a stormwater drain as required, fed by a stormwater outlet at the north-eastern end. At the south-western end, a shallow depression acts as a landscaped sump. The remainder of the park has been developed to serve both passive and active recreation, including modern play equipment.

History

Cliff Sadlier VC Memorial Park originally formed part of a natural, low lying drainage area. In 1934 it was reported that the Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department had implemented: …. A comprehensive scheme for the drainage of the whole of the Subiaco district at an estimated cost of £69,800. Four compensating basins to store flood waters temporarily at Shenton Park, Jolimont, the Subiaco sanitary site and behind the Government horse yardswere provided for to reduce drains to a size capable of carrying the normal intensity of winter rainfall. The area described as being ‘behind the Government horse yards’ has now been developed as the Charles Stokes Reserve and Cliff Sadlier VC Memorial Park, but at that time it was designated as the Daglish Compensating Basin Reserve (Swan Loc 7158, Reserve 25908). Plans prepared/updated in 1960 showed the Subiaco Main Drain transitioning from an underground pipe to an open channel near the north-eastern end of what was subsequently developed as Cliff Sadlier VC Memorial Park. This drained into an open sump near the south-western end of this park, with an underground overflow outlet running to the south-west, along the north-western side of Charles Stokes Reserve (near what is now Clubb Avenue). The adjacent areas of the University endowment lands began to be subdivided for residential development in the early 1960s. During that decade streets were surveyed and formed around the edges of the drainage reserve, and during the 1970s the northern part of Daglish was rapidly developed. On 21 September 1980 a memorial was erected in the park by the City of Subiaco, to honour of Cliff Sadlier, First World War hero, and Subiaco's only known recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC): Awarded V.C. for conspicuous bravery during a counter-attack by his battalion on a strong enemy position. Lieut. Sadlier’s platoon, which was on the left of the battalion, had to advance through a wood where a strong enemy machine-gun post caused casualties and prevented the platoon from advancing. Although himself wounded, he at once collected his bombing section, led them against the machine-guns, and succeeded in killing the crews and capturing two of the guns. By this time Lieut. Sadlier’s party were all casualties and alone he attacked a third enemy machine-gun with his revolver, killing the crew and taking the gun. In doing so, he was again wounded. The very gallant conduct of this officer was the means of clearing the flank, and allowing the battalion to move forward, thereby saving a most critical situation. His coolness and utter disregard of danger inspired all. Historical aerial photographs suggest that formal landscaping of the parklands commenced at around that time. It is now a popular dog-walking park and local recreation area.

Integrity/Authenticity

High: With regard to its use as a park Medium: With regard to its original development as a drainage reserve

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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