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.

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Historic Themes

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