Pics from the Past | Deakin Reserve

Interestingly, the beginnings of Shepparton’s premier sporting ground was for playing cricket matches.

And over time other sporting pursuits were held there.

The playing of football took another 12 years, starting in 1889.

It was established as the Recreation Reserve in 1877 and first hosted cricket matches.

However, in 1887, an article titled “Our Cricket Reserve” lamented the neglected state of the Recreation Reserve, originally designated for the purpose of cricket.

Despite being entrusted to trustees, little effort had been made to reclaim it from the wilderness. The pitch was cleared, but stumps cluttered the ground, and vehicle tracks scarred its surface.

As a result, the reserve looks desolate, contrary to its intended purpose as a place for enjoyable recreation. While past attempts to secure funds for improvements had failed, a new proposal offered a viable solution.

By selling a strip along Nixon St, 10 building lots could be created, leaving ample space for the reserve. This transformative plan aimed to turn the neglected area into a flourishing pleasure ground, much like the success seen in Albert Park.

Consent from trustees and a Council Order would be needed, but the vision was to enhance Shepparton. Failure to act might prompt government intervention.

The reserve’s central location also hinted at its potential value if subdivided and sold. (Source: Shepparton Advertiser)

Council did not take up the Advertiser’s suggestion to subdivide the land for housing and eventually found a way to find the money to improve the cricket reserve.

The Deakin Reserve timeline, printed in the Shepparton News in the 1980s, gives us a comprehensive picture of how the facility has developed over the years.

From further research, I have found some more interesting ways in which the ‘Reserve’ has been used over the years.

Athletic sports

In 1879, the Shepparton Athletic Sports was held on the ‘Cricket Ground’.

Some of the events in the program were: boys race, tossing the caber, Shepparton handicap, siamese race, quoit match, putting stone, potato race, drop kick football, tug of war and sack race to name a few.

All events had monetary prizes from a few shillings up to £5 for the Shepparton Handicap.

Shepparton carnival

The first mention of a Shepparton Carnival I could find was in 1895 which consisted of a football match between Shepparton and Numurkah and then in the afternoon sports were held.

In 1899, a carnival committee was formed and sports finalised for an annual event in April.

The athletic events included: Sheffield Handicap, Hurdle Race and Quarter Mile. There as also two bicycle races.

The day would start with a street procession and in the evening there was a concert and ball.

The Shepparton Carnival was hugely popular for many years and really put Shepparton on the map.

There were special trains running from Melbourne and country towns for the event.

Hundreds of pounds were taken at the gates, and hundreds of pounds were paid in prize money, with the star item being the Shepparton Gift.

Unfortunately in 1933 and through the depression years, the committee was in financial difficulty through lack of interest by the people in supporting the carnival.

They managed to get through those lean years and continued through to the 1950s.

New name in 1947

The Parks and Gardens Committee proposed to the Borough Council last night that the Nixon Street Recreation Reserve, commonly known as the Cricket Ground or Recreation Reserve, be renamed “Deakin Reserve.”

This change would serve not only as a means of clear identification but also as a tribute to the late Honourable Alfred Deakin. His extraordinary foresight, skill, and passion played a crucial role in the establishment of the current comprehensive water supply and irrigation system within the Goulburn region.

In the report to the Borough Council, the Parks and Gardens Committee also recommended convening a special meeting at the Recreation Reserve. The purpose would be to deliberate on a program of enhancements aimed at realising the full and ultimate potential of the reserve.

Councillor W. S. James expressed support, stating, “By naming this reserve Deakin Reserve, we are paying a tribute to a distinguished Australian who made significant contributions to irrigation in this region and to Victoria as a whole.” (Shepparton Advertiser)

Cycle race deaths

The Shepparton Carnival eventually became a New Year’s Day event and the cycling races at Deakin Reserve were very popular.

Unfortunately, due to two deaths in particular, in 1951 (Rex Kelly from Geelong) and 1953 (Carl Koblauch, Denmark), the cycling events ended up being shifted to the showgrounds track and eventually to a new purpose-built velodrome.

Events and people

During World War II huts were built for the RAAF at Deakin Reserve in c1940 for accomodation.

The showgrounds nearby was a recruiting depot and venue for training.

When the war finished the huts were used for a number of years by SPC seasonal workers.

It has also been an important community gathering place for many notable public functions including welcome home celebrations for the soldiers of World War II in 1945, visit by Governor General Dallas Brooks in 1963 and a public reception to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1954.

More recently, Deakin Reserve has become recognised as the City of Greater Shepparton’s principal venue for Australian Rules football, netball and cricket.

It has also played host to major sporting and community events such as A League soccer, Australian Legends cricket exhibition, Crusty Demons, AFL Diversity Girls National Championships and AFL practice games. (Source: Deakin Reserve Future Directions Plan, Greater Shepparton City Council)

Reserve history

1877: The reserve first became a site for a cricket ground.

1889: The Shepparton Football Club played its first football match at the ground on September 7.

1896: A bicycle track was constructed at the reserve. And shortly after, temporary tennis courts were built at the ground.

1929: The Shepparton Croquet Club moved to the reserve. The Guide Hall now stands in its place.

1932: The Borough of Shepparton became the reserve’s committee of management.

1934: Grenadier Guard Band played at the reserve.

1937: The first Shepparton Charity Carnival was held at the reserve. The annual event was stopped during the war, but resumed in 1945.

1942: The Royal Australian Air Force set up camp at the reserve.

1945: Welcome home celebration for the World War II soldiers.

1947: The reserve was renamed Deakin Reserve after the Prime Minister Alfred Deakin. The grand stand burned down.

1952: The King George VI memorial gates were put up on June 6.

1954: A public reception was held at the reserve on March 5 for Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to Shepparton.

1957: Shepparton Football Club and the City United Football Club shared the ground.

1962: The new JGB McDonald grand stand was built in time for the touring English cricket team to play a combined country team on December 12.

1971: The Shepparton United Football Club built new club rooms.

1981: The new Wilbur Shillington scoreboard was built. Mr Shillington has been the scoreboard attendant since.

1978: The World Series cricket match between the Australian 11 and the World 11 was played at the reserve. A new press box was built at the rear of the grandstand.

1981: The Shepparton Football Club built new club rooms.