2019-20 Division one - District Firsts premiers. Picture taken in front of new club rooms. North Geelong Cricket Club player Alistair McCann
The importance of the Osborne Park Precinct to the sporting community.
The Osborne Park Precinct holds important connections to the sporting community of Geelong, and the North Geelong Football and Cricket Clubs are long-standing tenants of the precinct. Established in 1876 and 1879, respectively, the clubs are two of the oldest sports clubs in Geelong. The North Geelong Cricket Club has been based at Osborne Park since approximately 1930. The club’s secretary Roger Allen said that the precinct was home to many sporting clubs and its value to the community was immeasurable. The grounds also have a netball court and cater for fire brigade competitions and carnivals. “The Russell era at Osborne House shows us that it supported a sporting precinct. Records tell us there was a polo field to the north and sporting grounds to the west of Osborne House. A horse training facility was also part of this sporting precinct,” Roger said. The North Geelong Cricket Club wishes to see its long-standing relationship with the Osborne Park Precinct acknowledged by allowing the club to display sporting memorabilia and trophies in a secure space at Osborne House.
“DUE TO THE HERITAGE, AGE AND SUCCESS OF THE CRICKET, FOOTBALL AND NETBALL CLUBS, WE FEEL THAT THIS WOULD REPRESENT A WORTHWHILE ADDITION TO THE VISUAL DISPLAY AREAS AND WOULD ADD TO THE VISITOR APPEAL OF OSBORNE HOUSE AND ITS HERITAGE.” The North Geelong Cricket Club expresses that it is “vitally important” to mix commercial use of the property while at the same time maintaining access for community groups and its sporting clubs.
mental health and wellbeing of both senior and junior members as well as their extended families,” Roger said. Roger continues that the club would like to see the replanting of heritage gardens surrounding Osborne House and suggests that exhibitions could be extended to be held in the gardens, as well as inside the main house. “There could be a mix of commercial and volunteer participation. For example, a café catering facility that also offers commercial catering would add to the visitor experience of Osborne House. In addition, advertising similar properties along a heritage trail would attract the community to this wonderful facility.” For the North Geelong Football and Cricket Club’s complete response, click here.
“Sporting clubs have a huge part to play in supporting people’s health and wellbeing. The tenant clubs alone have over 800 members, supporting the
Osborne House Stakeholder Expectations | 19
