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Home , Centre Court, Jeff Fenech, Kate Ceberano, Lorraine Crapp, Melbourne Park, Motordrome (Melbourne)

Fun in the park The Combined Friendly Society used the area for athletic carnivals and social events. In a £100 challenge which drew around 8,500 spectators, Hewitt, the English champion, defeated local sprinter Harris comfortably on the heavy gravel track. It was a rematch of a disputed dead heat held months before at the MCG.

1834 1861 1870s - 1890s 1896

Prior to white settlement of Melbourne’s first zoo in 1834, the Valley was The riverside pasture of Richmond inhabited by the Wurundjeri people Paddock was the original location of the Kulin Nation. for Melbourne’s Zoological Gardens, The Yarra changes course & cycle track built the first Zoo established in and one of the world’s oldest. The Government Despite council improvements in the 1880s, The following year the League of Victorian moved the Zoo to the current Royal Park During the 1870s, some curious the Yarra constantly flooded walking and Wheelmen completed an enclosed cycling The naturally lightly wooded site in 1862 when it became apparent events took place such as the cycling tracks until the Yarra Improvement Act track. The banked asphalt track included the site was too damp and swampy World 300 yard Championship (1870) of 1896 enabled the Board of Works to realign a , bar and a range of amenities. grasslands have long provided to accommodate the small collection and a Festival of the Druids (1873). the river between the City and Richmond. As well as other cycling and running tracks, an idyllic scene for a range of fauna, which included monkeys, the area known as the Friendly Societies’ native birds and mammals. Gardens was used for and women’s of recreational pursuits. cricket from the 1890s to the early 1900s. Image: F. Grosse, Plan of the Zoological Gardens, Richmond Paddock, RM 1641, National Library of Australia. Proclamation of Crown Land The area now known as Olympic Park was proclaimed The man behind Melbourne Carnivals, dynamic Crown land by the State Government on 24 August 1909. entrepreneur John Wren, brought diverse The ‘Amateur Sports Grounds’ basically consisted of two entertainment to the venue. ovals - one that was rough and ready and the other with Although the VFL’s desire to make the ground the cycle track around its perimeter. World War I put an a home for football failed to eventuate, the Motordrome end to further development and little was done to improve hosted three VFA Grand Finals (1925-27) and in 1932 the area’s facilities for some time. Melbourne played three home games as the MCG was being resurfaced. Some events took a comedic turn; racing ostriches were imported from South Australia in December 1926 but in Tearing around the 48 degree banks what newspaper The Argus labelled ‘a complete fiasco’, the confused and terrified beasts (with cardboard cut-out A site for the recreation convenience and amusement at over 80 miles per hour with no brakes ‘jockeys’) wandered aimlessly, scampered in all directions of people and as a children’s playground. was a recipe for death and serious injury. or simply stood stupefied.

While 25,000 fans surged to their feet, 1923 roaring applause, Maughan hugged the 1920s - 1930s wide red danger-line in the track’s centre. Bryant was above him on the steep bank and Wassall higher still, right under the In 1928 a flat 494 yard dirt speedway track was added overhanging safety lip. As the three riders to the ‘Drome. In the same year the world’s richest sped shoulder to shoulder at 84 mph, professional footrace, ‘The Melbourne Thousand’, Motordrome Death Toll was first won by star footballer Austin Robertson. Maughan and Bryant bumped lightly. Various racing was also interspersed with boxing Then, suddenly the three speedsters piled Alec Staig • 28 February 1925 and wrestling bouts. ‘The Murderdome’ up in one of the most dramatic smashes Allan Bunning • 02 March 1925 ever seen on a Victorian speedway. Cycling also became popular as the Great Depression Formed in 1923, Melbourne Carnivals ‘saucer’ track primarily tested the courage Charles Grigg • 24 April 1926 took hold; legendary rider Sir Hubert Opperman taking Maughan miraculously suffered developed and leased the site until the of intrepid motorbike and sidecar racers. George Goldsmith & William Bell advantage of the long track to achieve motor-paced only abrasions, Bryant’s hand was conclusion of World War II, opening the Chief promoter Jack Campbell enticed (young spectators) • 09 February 1929 world record feats. ‘Melbourne Motordrome’, otherwise known the best ‘professional wheel racers’ from badly torn. But Wassall, one of Reg Moloney • 16 February 1930 as ‘The Murderdome’, on 13 December the USA, regularly drawing crowds in the Image donated by Australia’s most brilliant racing 1924 at a cost of £30,000. The concrete region of 20-30,000. Garry Baker. cyclists, was dead by the next morning. Jimmy Wassall • 02 January 1932 World War II claims Speedway

Speedway meetings occurred regularly on Saturday nights Motordrome makes way for Speedway until the Australian Imperial Force assumed control of An untenable safety record saw the Olympic Park in 1940. The penultimate Speedway meeting Motordrome dismantled after its last was held in June 1941. meeting in 1933. The new Olympic Park Adjacent to the Speedway, the Swan Street Army Depot Speedway hosted ‘more modern’ dirt was built in 1935 and primarily served the Royal Australian racing such as popular midget cars Engineers until its closure in 1991. promoted by Richard Lean Snr. It was also the first application of the name ‘Olympic Park’ to the area. It was said to better reflect the usage of the venue than the ‘Amateur Sports Grounds’. It may have lacked logic but it was prophetic!

1934 1935 1938 1941 1946

Amateur Sports Grounds, Football returned on 30 March 1935 including Olympic Park Speedway. Olympic Park Speedway closes when the first floodlit game between After one final turn in April 1946 in aid 1934 Grand Finalists Richmond of St Vincent’s Hospital, continued and South Melbourne drew 25,000 petrol rationing spelled the death spectators (an incredulous Jack Dyer knell for the speedway in the aftermath walked to the ground, unable to board of World War II. The venue met with the packed trams). Midget car races the wrecking ball in 1946 but few local entertained the crowd in the breaks. residents lamented the demise of the Amid allegations of impropriety, Wren noisy motorsports. nearly closed a deal for Richmond to relocate to Olympic Park.

Motordrome images donated by Garry Baker. Image donated by Garry Baker. Image donated by Garry Baker. The most incredibly stupid, beautiful, foolish, gentlemanly act I have ever seen. Reverend Alan Moyes, witness.

Olympic Games construction begins The Olympic Games transformation saw the building Landy’s sporting gesture of a velodrome and a new 5,500 seat world standard John Landy was Australia’s pre-eminent distance runner, pool. Olympic Park venues would host clocking 4:02.1 in a solo mile in December 1952 at Olympic hockey, cycling, soccer, athletics, diving, Olympic Park. His great rival, Britain’s Roger Bannister, water polo and swimming competitions. famously broke the elusive four minute mile in 1954.

1951 1956

The 1956 Australian Mile Championship at Olympic Park preceded Melbourne’s Games and served as an important selection event. It would become one of Australia’s iconic sporting moments. When emerging youngster Ron Clarke stumbled, Landy (#112) leaped over him but caught Clarke’s arm with his spikes. Landy went back to help Clarke to his feet, then sprinted away to claim the title and his spot in the Olympic team. A statue across the road pays tribute to what Sport Australia Hall of Fame members ranked the third most memorable Australian sporting incident ever.

Images reproduced courtesy of Museum . C2435 Swimming image reproduced courtesy of Museum Victoria. B1962

1956

Melbourne Olympic Games

An overriding memory of Melbourne’s Stars of the pool for Australia included Games was the friendly atmosphere, , Lorraine Crapp and Murray although one moment of discord occurred Rose, who won three gold medals as when the USSR and Hungary’s political a teenager. All up, at Olympic Park the differences were played out in a water Aussies won eight gold, four silver and polo match marred by violence. two bronze in the pool and a gold and bronze at the velodrome.

Water polo, cycling, hockey and diving (B1901) images reproduced with the permission Reproduced with the permission of Public Record Office Victoria B1378(1). Reproduced with the permission of Public Record Office Victoria A930. of the Public Record Office Victoria. ...of the greatest importance architecturally and historically. Chairman of the National Trust, Rodney Davidson

Melbourne Sports & Entertainment Centre Round ball sanctuary The Olympic pool was replaced by a parquetry floor in 1983, the 7,200 seat venue becoming the city’s primary During the 1960s Olympic Park entertainment facility. Following the $10.5 million renovation attracted up to 900,000 people annually the Melbourne Sports & Entertainment Centre (known for athletics and soccer. The Victorian as ‘The Glasshouse’), hosted international entertainers Rugby Union competition used the of the calibre of AC/DC and legendary UK band Queen. Eastern Sportsground, as did three The first NBL game at The Glasshouse was a double Victorian Soccer Federation teams. header on 4 April 1984. St Kilda defeated Nunawading The Australian Equestrian Federation and Geelong beat Coburg. held twice yearly championships.

1960 1966 1971 1983

As the only FIFA recognised soccer stadium in Australia, Olympic Park hosted a number of international football matches. Controversial Springbok Tour 1971 In total, Australia played 34 internationals, A crowd of more than 5,000, most of including six World Cup Qualifiers them university students, gathered to at Olympic Park. protest against the tour of South Africa’s all-white rugby side, the Springboks. Record crowd The Apartheid protestors marched to the game at Olympic Park, where they faced Incredibly, 37,500 soccer fans packed a wall of about 650 police, many wielding Olympic Park and other vantage points in truncheons and some on horseback. 1966 to watch Roma FC (4) defeat Victoria Ten protesters invaded the pitch and (2). Double the official capacity! Image reproduced courtesy of Museum Victoria. nearly 140 were arrested. Picture: Bruce Postle. To have my name on top of the stadium here is sort of the final part of my whole career. This is the ultimate. Flinders Park Stage One completed

Stage One of the $94 million development was completed in 1987, featuring a 15,000 seat , two show courts seating 6,000 and 3,000 people, 13 outside match courts, five indoor practice courts, public concourse, public transport infrastructure and car parking facilities.

1985 1987

A vital specification was a centre court retractable roof that was reliable, strong A home for tennis and would not rust. The design, a world first, is formed by two rolling sections After considering several locations, the Victorian Government that take 20 minutes to open or close. set aside part of Flinders and Yarra Parks in 1985 as the site Each spans the court with arched trusses, for a National Tennis Centre to replace the Kooyong venue. giving the Centre a distinctive image. The National Tennis Centre Trust’s brief was to provide Victoria with a world-class complex that could operate as a Tennis venue and a multi-use entertainment centre. Learmonth, a Melbourne-based architectural firm, was engaged to design the venue, and architect Peter Brook was commissioned to help with design and project management. Pictures: Bruce Postle. Inaugural winners of the Flinders Park Stage Two at Flinders Park held in 1988; (Sweden) and The increasing use of for concerts and the growth of the Australian Open necessitated (Germany). Stage Two. The $23 million addition included two new show courts, the versatile Melbourne Park Function Centre, eight additional match courts, 500 additional carparks and Garden Square, a central lawn area on which the public can congregate, relax and watch the huge video screen at the Australian Open.

Picture: Bruce Postle.

1988 1990 1996

It is an unbelievable stadium for boxing. booms There is just something special about it. Momentum for basketball gathered in the The final NBL game at The Glasshouse There’s no doubt it’s my favourite place. 1980s and by 1987 The Glasshouse was was played in June 1998, soon after home to four NBL clubs. By 1990-91 nearly registered a record 54 points It was an unbelievable feeling in there. 60 games were played per season at the in a game. The centre hosted 343 NBL The atmosphere was just fantastic, venue. In 1992 the South East Melbourne games (including Championship deciders Magic moved across the road to Flinders in 1984, 1988, 1989 and 1994), more than like nowhere else. I just loved it. Park. The Melbourne Tigers followed; any other venue in the NBL’s history. the sport’s popularity demanding more World Champion boxer, games at the larger capacity stadium. Pictures: Bruce Postle. Picture: Bruce Postle Last bark at the park Billowing smoke from a grandstand saw the evacuation of 2,000 greyhound Melbourne Park enthusiasts in November 1991, moments Stage Three after the last race. Forty firemen were dispatched to the fire that began Hisense Arena, a new multi-purpose in a storeroom. venue including a 10,000 seat show court, was completed in 2000.The state- After 34 popular years of greyhound of-the-art indoor/outdoor facility hosts racing, personalities and punters, a variety of sports including basketball, a capacity crowd sadly bid farewell , boxing, tennis and cycling in on 29 February 1996. CityLink’s Burnley its own velodrome. It also doubles as Tunnel claimed the back straight, seeing a world class entertainment venue for the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Club concerts, dance parties, family shows, relocate to Broadmeadows. dancesports and various large seminars Pictures: Bruce Postle. and gatherings.

1996 1997 2000

International Athletics Grand Prix Cycling at Hisense Arena to remember Cycling has been a feature of the Emma George first broke the pole vault world record precinct since the 19th Century and at Olympic Park in 1995 and chose an auspicious night the tradition continues at Hisense Arena. to do so for the seventh time on 20 February, jumping 4.55m. Meetings such as the long standing At the same meeting the crowd witnessed an outstanding Austral Wheelrace, World Cup and array of athletes including Linford Christie and Cathy Freeman, Revolution events attract the cream who was beaten by Melinda Gainsford. of Australian and international riders.

Pictures: Bruce Postle. Roll call of the stars

AC/DC Garth Brooks Paul Simon Aerosmith George Michael Pearl Jam Alanis Morrisette Gloria Estefan Peter Gabriel Alice Cooper Human Nature Pet Shop Boys On with the shows Andrea Bocelli Pink Barry Manilow Iron Maiden Pink Floyd has clearly earned BB King James Brown Placido Domingo its status as Melbourne’s pre-eminent Beach Boys James Taylor Powderfinger venue for music concerts and other Beyonce Janet Jackson Prince entertainment productions. Billy Joel Jimmy Barnes Queen Bob Dylan Jimmy Page Red Hot Chilli Peppers Image courtesy of Bon Jovi & Robert Plant Rihanna , featuring Michael Coppel Presents. Bryan Adams John Mellencamp Robbie Williams the evergreen , Bryan Ferry Johnny Cash Rod Stewart Kate Ceberano, John Waters and Celine Dion Jose Carreras Rolling Stones Kylie Fever , performed 22 shows Cher Julio Iglesias Sammy Davis Jnr always in 1992 viewed by 335,300 people. Chris Isaak Santana receives a rapturous Cliff Richard Kate Ceberano Savage Garden Riverdance also proved popular; Cold Chisel Kenny Rogers Scissor Sisters homecoming with sell-out 39 shows in 1997 to a reduced Coldplay Kiss Shania Twain crowds at Rod Laver Arena. capacity of 5000. Kris Kristoffersen Silverchair Nonetheless, both Kylie Cyndi Lauper Kylie Minogue Simple Minds and John Farnham’s record David Bowie Lenny Kravitz A new record attendance was created Split Enz tours have been eclipsed David Lee Roth Leonard Cohen Status Quo by Justin Timberlake in November 2007 Deep Purple Live Stevie Wonder by Pink’s 17 concert when 16,183 screaming fans enjoyed Def Leppard Liza Minnelli Sting extravaganza of 2009. a memorable concert. Mariah Carey Take That Depeche Mode Maroon 5 The Bee Gees Diana Ross Matchbox Twenty The Cure Dire Straits Metallica The Who Eagles Michael Buble Elvis Costello Midnight Oil Tina Turner Eric Clapton Neil Diamond Tom Jones Eurythmics Neil Young U2 Fleetwood Mac New Kids on the Block UB40 Foo Fighters Oasis Village People Foreigner Pavarotti Whitney Houston Picture: Bruce Postle. Image courtesy of The Frontier Touring Co. FINA World Swimming Championships

In arguably the greatest transformation in Rod Laver Arena’s chameleon–like history, Australia wins the venue hosted the FINA World Swimming Championships in 2007. Australia claimed the 2003 Davis Cup by defeating Hisense Arena hosted the finals of the Commonwealth The USA led the field with 21 gold Spain on a drop-in at Rod Laver Arena. Games netball and basketball. New Zealand’s Tall Blacks medals, Russia second with 11 and The team: Todd Woodbridge, Mark Phillipoussis, nearly caused a basketball boilover but just fell short of Australia third with nine gold, seven John Fitzgerald, and Wayne Arthurs. Australia who steadied in the final minutes to win 81-76. silver and ten bronze.

2003 2005 2006 2007

World The Opals also overcame NZ, in a more convincing 77-39 victory. The Kiwis turned the tables in netball, American Michael Phelps tallied beating the World Champion Aussies 60-55. an incredible seven gold medals Championships Also at Hisense Arena, the Aussies dominated track whilst was the pick cycling, claiming seven of the 12 gold medals on offer. of the Aussies with five gold. FINA President Mustapha Larfaoui Lexus Centre renovation Rod Laver Arena was the venue for gymnastics declared the Championships competitions. Australia and Canada led the way with The heritage listed Olympic Pool was returned to its original the biggest and best in history. six artistic gymnastics golds, the host nation also winning shape, the refurbishment overseen by one of the original Over 215,000 people attended the same number in silver and bronze. Canadian teenager architects Peter McIntyre. Its restoration reflected key the two week event. A record. elements of its original award-winning design and included Alexandra Orlando dominated the rhythmic competition, the VIS centre for elite athlete development and training claiming a staggering six gold medals. and administration offices for the Collingwood Football Club. Image provided by SMP Images. Melbourne storms to victory 2007 was a year to savour for Melbourne rugby and soccer fans. Parks’ tenant Melbourne Victory took out the A-League Premiership with a stunning 6-0 win over in the final, led by Archie Thompson’s remarkable five goals.

Not to be outdone, Melbourne Storm won all 13 of their home games at ‘the Graveyard’ (Olympic Park Stadium) before sealing the club’s second NRL flag by convincingly defeating Manly in the Grand Final.

2007 2008 2009

New look Australian Open Resplendent with striking new ‘true blue’ Double glory courts, the Australian Open smashed attendance records, with a Boosted by the arrival of master staggering 605,735 people descending coach and several on Melbourne Park. Another Grand Slam Boom recruits, Hisense Arena crowd record fell on Day Four when tenant South Dragons completed 62,885 surpassed the one day mark. a sensational rise from NBL wooden spooner to competition champion. Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory defeated Adelaide for its second A-League title. 2009 2010 and beyond

100 Year Anniversary Melbourne Rectangular Stadium Victoria’s burgeoning soccer and rugby codes have long awaited a dedicated stadium to accommodate elite level crowds in a way that affords an intimate viewing experience, comparable to the best stadiums in the world. Set to open in 2010, Melbourne’s new rectangular stadium incorporates a cutting edge bio-frame design with a geodesic roof that substantially covers the 31,000 seat stadium with unobstructed sight lines.

Designed by Freeform Melbourne. Written & Compiled by Jeff Dowsing