Canterbury Sports Ground
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The Canterbury Sports Ground, formerly Boroondara East Reserve, Boroondara East Recreation Reserve and Canterbury Cricket Ground[1][2], is a park located in the suburb of Surrey Hills. It is located between Guildford Road, Chatham Road and Croydon Road, north of Chatham railway station.
History
The park was established as Boroondara East Reserve on low-lying land of a small creek. A special celebration called 'Arbor Day' was held to officially open the Reserve on 23 August 1895. Students from the nearby Balwyn State School, Surrey Hills State School, Camberwell Grammar School and Surrey College were given the day off to attend and lead the celebrations. They began with a procession from their various schools to the reserve, followed by the ceremonial planting of trees and a sports competition.[3][4]
To celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, several trees were planted on 21 June 1897.[5]
Long-serving councillor Robert Beckett donated one acre of land from a property he owned to the west of the park to expand the size of the Reserve in June 1906. This was to celebrate to formal proclamation of the Town of Camberwell.[6]
The Reserve was renamed to the Canterbury Cricket Ground in October 1911.[2]
Governance
It had an initial committee of management made up of office-bearers elected at an annual meeting.[1] Its powers extended to improvements and maintenance of the reserve, relying on annual funding from councils and public donations. Over 114 pounds was raised by the opening day of the park in August 1895 to construct tennis courts and partially level land for the cricket ground.[7][8]
Presidents of committee of management
- 1895 - 1896: Cr George C. Scott[9]
- 1896 - 1897:
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Boroondara East Recreation Reserve.", 29 September 1899, p. 2. Retrieved on 24 December 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Camberwell Town Council.", 20 October 1911, p. 2. Retrieved on 24 December 2025.
- ↑ "BOROONDARA EAST RECREATION RESERVE.", 22 August 1895, p. 3. Retrieved on 24 December 2025.
- ↑ "BOROONDARA EAST RECREATION RESERVE.", 9 August 1895, p. 2. Retrieved on 24 December 2025.
- ↑ "SUBURBAN CELEBRATIONS.", 7 May 1897, p. 5. Retrieved on 24 December 2025.
- ↑ "MUNICIPAL INTELLIGENCE.", 12 June 1906, p. 6. Retrieved on 24 December 2025.
- ↑ "BOROONDARA EAST RECREATION RESERVE.", 26 July 1895, p. 3. Retrieved on 24 December 2025.
- ↑ "BOROONDARA EAST RECREATION RESERVE.", 26 July 1895, p. 3. Retrieved on 24 December 2025.
- ↑ "NEWS AND NOTES.", 11 September 1896, p. 2. Retrieved on 24 December 2025.