Picket fence restores cricket heritage

Denise Gray

FINALLY it looks like a cricket ground again.

After 42 years, Graceville Memorial Park has its fence back.

The traditional white picket fence, synonymous with cricket around the world, was unveiled by Western Suburbs District Cricket Club (WSDCC) last Saturday with the main gate named after long-time club volunteer, Denise Gray.

Mrs Gray moved to Graceville with her husband Maurie Gray in 1977 and both become active members of WSDCC.

Mrs Gray, who threw her hand up for many duties, most notably the club's scorer, was surprised and chuffed by the honour.

“It's overwhelming; unbelievable,” she said.

“I never thought anything like this would happen.

“I love this ground, it is set so beautifully.”

The field's original fence – a post and rail design – was built in the 1930s. When it wasn't used for cricket, it would contain a horse, which was used to roll the wickets.

But in 1968 the fence was ordered to be removed by then Brisbane Lord Mayor, Clem Jones, as he believed it discouraged residents to use the public field.

WSDCC president, Greg Rowell, said the new fence complimented the heritage-listed grandstand, which completed refurbishments only a few years ago.

“With the fence now back, it's no longer a ground, it's an arena,” he said.

“More than 20 years ago Maurie was trying to pull this off (re-instate the fence) now it's finally back, it's a nice feature of the ground.”

The total cost of the project was about $70,000 with the club receiving a $25,000 grant from the Tennyson Ward Parks Trust Fund.

The fence is partially removable to allow other sporting codes like rugby and hockey to utilise the fields.