Book produced to detail Race Day for Royal Visit at Flemington Racecourse, February 1954Limited number of copies availablePrinted booklet with two staple fastening, approx. 40p.Victorian Racing Club Royal Visit Flemington February 27 1954race day, royal visit, flemington, 1954

Handwritten, detailed account of Hospital Sunday at Sandhurst. It mentions the crowds coming into town, the procession, and the day’s entertainment at the Reserve. Also mentions the donations raised for charity. Also a number of small pages titled Facts & Scraps. Mentions a number of daily happenings and the bells at St. Paul's Church.event, entertainment, sandhurst, the australian sketcher 1873, rev mr croxton, the bendigo advertiser, hallas' band, northcott's regimantal band, captain moorhead, captain boyd, lieutenant sibley, lieutenant henderson, mr morrison, bendigo rifles, major taylor, captain joseph, lieutenant blackham, bendigo hotel, bank of victoria, prince alfred, mr abbott, st paul's church bells, hustlers mine, prince bismarck, james park, bell, william hartlett, mr williamson, mr purcell, connell watson & hogarth, mr j b watson, the engineers engine-drivers and blacksmiths association, melbourne botanical gardens, mr hodgkinson, baron von muellerus, patrick hugo mchugh, golden fleece mine, orpheus c kerr, jones, the victorian racing club, mr walker, spencer, robert chambers's index to heirs-at-law legatees missing friends and persons advertised for during 150 years past, mr higinbotham, mr d r morrison, mr mccosh, mr hicks, carlisle company, james hamilton, samuel rochford, royal hustlers claim, william mycroft, rifle brigade hotel, mr randall, the right rev dr gould, r m s s china, james kennedy

Event was held to commemorate John Cleeland's horse, Woolomai, winning the 1875. The Melbourne Cup and previous winner, Sub Zero, attended amd a painting of Woolomai by Pip Cleeland was auctioned and purchased by the Woolamai racing Club.Historical3 copies of an A4 coloured brochure describing the program of the event, description of 1875 Melbourne Cup, thank you to sponsors, coloured photos of the up, Wollomai and black & white illustrations of Cup scenes Also 3 newspaper cuttings describing the event in 2013 from The Star newspaper.Welcome to the Woolamai House Garden Party Thursday 24th October 2013 Victorian Racing Clubracing, melbourne cup, woolomai, woolamai house, john cleeland

VRC full membership 2000 - 20. Membership No 8988 envelope and car window sticker; and Melbourne Race meeting Dates 2000 - 2001 for Victorian Racing Club, Victorian Amateur Turf Club and Moonee Valley Racing Clubvrc membership no 8988 sticker and envelope 2000 - 2001

The racehorse 'Wollamai" [ or Wollemi ] was bred and trained on Phillip Island by John Cleeland on Phillip Island. It won the Melbourne Cup in 1875. John Cleeland walked the horse to Melbourne to compete.Historical3 photocopies of an article from the sporting section of the Australasian Sketcher describing the Spring meeting of the Victorian Racing Club, large illustration of the crowd and costumes. Article describes the races, horses in very small print.The Australasian Sketcher Sport November 27 1875wollomai, melbourne cup, john cleeland, horse racing, wollemi

Barry Lyons owned and managed the Windemere Hotel in Kangaroo Flat along with his wife Betty. Barry was a long time member of the Lions Club of Kangaroo Flat. Barry served as a Bendigo City Councillor from 2008 to 2016, and as Mayor in 2013 - 2014. Triangular Victorian Harness Racing Club Medallion, collected and owned by Barry Lyons of Bendigobendigo, barry and betty lyons, windemere hotel kangaroo flat, lions club kangaroo flat, victorian harness racing club

Victorian Metropolitan Race Dates card August 2012 - July 2013 and vehicle window stickers. Stickers cover Racing Season ending: 31/07/2012 - pass number 5331 31/07/2013 - M5540 Race dates cover horse race meeting for the Victorian Racing Club, Melbourne Racing Club and Moonee Valley Racing Clubvictorian race meetings 2012 -2013

The Melbourne Cup Carnival covers four days of racing and includes the Melbourne Cup, Derby Day, Oaks Day and the Champion Stakes. The four day carnival began in 1869. The first Melbourne Cup was run in 1861, and Derby day in 1856. In 1899 the winner of the Melbourne Cup was Merriwee who also won the Derby that year. At that time the Champions Stakes was called the Mackinnon Stakes, named after Lachlan Kenneth Scobie Mackinnon, a previous chairman of the Victorian Racing Club. In 1899 the race for age race was won by Mora. The Oaks is a race for 3yo fillies racing over one and a half miles in 1899 when it was won by Nitre.Large ledger book probably from Arthur Allsop. Includes the starting prices wagers of horse races in Victoria and the Commercial Bank records of deposits and withdrawals. It covers the years from 1897 to 1922. With the book there is also a handwritten letter to Arthur recording the bets of A. Connell and W.P. Bayus (?) over the Melbourne Cup carnival 1899.bookmaker's ledger, horse racing, 1899, melbourne cup carnival

"Glenara' was the home of Alistair Clark who lived at Bulla which is situated about 20 kms NW of Melbourne in the Deep Creek valley. He was born there in 1864 and lived there throughout his lifetime until his death in 1949. His father established the property during the mid-nineteenth century. Alister Clark was a rose grower and created the very popular 'Lorraine Lea 'rose along with other famous species. A rose garden has been established in the township of Bulla in his memory. He was also an active member of the Victorian Racing Club. The original photograph was published in the Melbourne 'Herald' on 20 August 1952 on page 5.Alistair Clark was a prominent rose grower and developed many rose species which were suitable for Victorian conditions. The homestead is a good example of Victorian architecture built in Victoria in the latter years of the nineteenth century. The house has a heritage listing in the City of Hume Heritage Study.A black and white photograph with a fine white frame, of a Victorian homestead with a a verandah across the front of the house. It is set in a spacious garden with garden beds, lawn and trees.clark, alistair, 'glenara' homestead, roses, bulla, deep creek

Season 1994/95 Association of Victorian Country Harness Racing Clubs Member TagPlastic Orange Tag attached to length of Black CordFront: Association of Victorian Country Harness Racing Clubs / Admit One / 1994-95. Back: Admit Bearer to All Victorian Country Harness Racing Tracks / Not Transferable / 0027.harness racing, trotting, badge, membership, tag, harness racing victoria, association of victorian country harness racing clubs, 1994/95

In 1991 the 'Red Berets' landed at Sandown Racecourse on behalf of Legacy. In recognition of the support of the VATC President Sullivan presented a plaque to VATC Acting chairman Mr Geoff Bellmaine at a Tuesday luncheon. VATC is the Victorian Amateur Racing Club. From other photos of the event it is known 'The Australian Army's parachute display team, the 'Red Berets' provided a spectacular free-fall display at Sandown racecourse to help highlight Legacy Week.'A record of the VATC and the army being involved in promoting Legacy Week.Colour photo x 2 of President Sullivan presenting a plaque and a yellow paper label.Yellow label says 'In recognition of the support given by the VATC to enable the 'Red Berets' to jump at Sandown on behalf of Legacy , Legacy President, John Sullivan, presented a plaque to the Acting Chairman, Mr Geoff Bellmaine, at a Tuesday luncheon.'legacy promotion, legatee event

This image is one from a series of portraits taken by Rob Elliott to record the character of the Border District through the faces if its identities. Des Martin lived all his life in Wodonga, except for his years of service during World War Two. He was raised on the family property Aherlo in the Huon Creek Valley. In 1937 he joined the 8th Light Horse Regiment but in May 1940 led his Wodonga Troop into the 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion. This Battalion saw service in Syria, Java, New Guinea and Borneo. After the war, Des returned to Aherlo and his horses. He was granted permission by the Victorian Racing Club to participate as an amateur “gentleman” rider. He became the first president of the Victorian Amateur Riders Association and founded the Murray Valley Hunt Club. Des also played a major role in Australia entering an equestrian team in the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and served as a steward at that event. Des also wrote several publications including “Australia Astride” in 1959, a history of the Albury Racing Club – a Century of Racing, and an historical novel “Many a Mile”. He collaborated with R. M. Williams to develop “Hoofs and Horns” to become a national publication. From 1969 to 1973, Des Martin also wrote a column for the Border Mail newspaper. He was also a member of the RSL for almost 50 years and held several committee positions during that time. Des Martin died on 12 April 1995.This is a portrait of a significant member of the Wodonga community who made an outstanding contribution as a farmer, soldier, horseman, author and member of the RSL and other community organisations.A black and white photograph of Des Martin in military uniform with his horse. The photo has been mounted in a metal frame.des martin, murray valley hunt club, 2/2nd australian pioneer battalion, albury racing club

This image was taken in Melbourne on Anzac Day 1986 where Des had taken place in the annual parade. The photo itself has had a long journey. It was donated to the Star Hotel in Yackandandah, Victoria by Des Martin in 1994. The hotel changed hands so many times that the custodian "Pip" Beatty felt it was best placed at the Light Horse Museum at Bandiana, Victoria. Its journey was complete when the photo was returned to the Wodonga Historical Society. Des Martin lived all his life in Wodonga, except for his years of service during World War Two. He was raised on the family property Aherlo in the Huon Creek Valley. In 1937 he joined the 8th Light Horse Regiment but in May 1940 led his Wodonga Troop into the 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion. This Battalion saw service in Syria, Java, New Guinea and Borneo. After the war, Des returned to Aherlo and his horses. He was granted permission by the Victorian Racing Club to participate as an amateur “gentleman” rider. He became the first president of the Victorian Amateur Riders Association and founded the Murray Valley Hunt Club. Des also played a major role in Australia entering an equestrian team in the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and served as a steward at that event. Des also wrote several publications including “Australia Astride” in 1959, a history of the Albury Racing Club – a Century of Racing, and an historical novel “Many a Mile”. He collaborated with R. M. Williams to develop “Hoofs and Horns” to become a national publication. From 1969 to 1973, Des Martin also wrote a column for the Border Mail newspaper. He was also a member of the RSL for almost 50 years and held several committee positions during that time. Des Martin died on 12 April 1995.This is a portrait of a significant member of the Wodonga community who made an outstanding contribution as a farmer, soldier, horseman, author and member of the RSL and other community organisations.A coloured photograph of Des Martin in full military uniform mounted on his horse. The photo has been mounted in an oval wooden frame.des martin, murray valley hunt club, 2/2nd australian pioneer battalion, albury racing club

Des Martin lived all his life in Wodonga, except for his years of service during World War Two. He was raised on the family property Aherlo in the Huon Creek Valley. In 1937 he joined the 8th Light Horse Regiment but in May 1940 led his Wodonga Troop into the 2/2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion, which saw service in Syria, Java, New Guinea and Borneo. After the war, Des returned to Aherlo and his horses. He was granted permission by the Victorian Racing Club to participate as an amateur “gentleman” rider. He was a founder of the Victorian Amateur Riders Association and also the Murray Valley Hunt Club, for which he was Master for 21 years. He was a prolific writer, cartoonist, photographer and poet, contributing to The Border Morning Mail, The Age, and the Herald and Weekly Times amongst other publications. Des Martin’s other literary works included Australia Astride (1959), A Tale of Twin Cities, Part One (1981) and Backing up the Boys (1998). In 1976, Des wrote an historical novel, “Many a Mile”, based on a fictional region which highly resembled the Albury-Wodonga and Upper Murray area of Victoria. It was set in the last 10 years leading up to Federation. Throughout this period tensions (caused by fluctuating border duties, including an infamous impost on cattle and horses) occasioned the intermittent posting of heavily armed police detachments along the River Murray. Des also wrote eight 50-minute scripts from “Many a Mile” as a television series and were presented to Michael Pate, one of Australia’s leading actors and producers. Also, funding was sought through the Australian Broadcasting Commission ... unfortunately the series never came to fruition. This album is a pictorial precis, including photos and scene descriptions, created to promote the concept of the series and have it produced locally in North Eastern Victoria featuring local settings, skilled horsemen and actors. It was to be called “Ringer’s River” ... Ringer being the title accorded to either a top cattle hand, or the fastest shearer in the wool shed. Des Martin died on 12th April 1995.These albums and images are significant because they document literature written by a prominent member of the Wodonga community. The presentation of this precis was supported by several significant district families and individuals.Documents written to introduce the concept of "Ringer's River" to gain interest for the development of a television seriesdes martin, many a mile, ringer's river, northeast victoria stories

This card from the Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club is a pass for a lady for the meeting of 5th May 1914. This day was part of the three-day 1914 May Racing Carnival which featured the Warrnambool Cup and the Grand Annual Steeplechase. The first organized horse race in Warrnambool was held in 1848 at Jetty Flat and the Warrnambool Racecourse was first in use in 1858 with the Warrnambool Racing Club established in 1873. The Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club was established in 1859 and was the only Amateur Turf Club in Victoria. It no longer exists This card is of interest as it is a memento of the Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club, an important early sporting club in Warrnambool. It is also an early memento of the Warrnambool May Racing Carnival, today a premier sporting event in the city and beyond and it is officially a Victorian Major Event. This is a small piece of light cardboard, blue on one side and white on the other. The card has rounded edges. On the blue side it has the emblem of the Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club and gold printing. The card has gilt edging. ‘Wednesday May 5 1914, Lady’s Ticket, Not Transferable, A.H.Davies Sec.’horse racing in warrnambool, warrnambool amateur turf club, history of warrnambool

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. From Glen Eira Heritage Management Plan 1996 by Andrew Ward: In 1888, John Leek, a trainer, owned Lot 15, measuring one and three quarter acres, in Booran Road, north side between Glen Eira and Neerim Roads. The land backed onto the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve. NAV was £45. In 1890 Leek built for his residence, a ten roomed brick house on the site. NAV was £200. Leek was the owner/trainer of "Ingliston" who won the Caulfield Cup in 1900. Upon the horse's death in 1901, Leek is understood to have defied tradition by spending £20 on boots for the "ragged urchins in Bourke Street" instead of "shouting" at the bar. By 1899, the property was owned and occupied by Alfred Merrill, a dentist and was known as "Andover". NA V had decreased to £ll0. By 1910, Leslie Macdonald, a gentleman had purchased the property and renamed it "Moidart". In 1910-11 Macdonald sold it to John Robertson. The property had extensive wood stables on its north-east boundary and several other outbuildings. The house continued to be described as "Brick, ten rooms" as it was in 1926 when it was owned and occupied by John Arthur, a managing director. The land measured la.2r.31p. and had a NAV of £235. Nine people lived there. In 1926, Arthur also owned the adjoining Lot 16. Other racehorses of note, known to have been stabled here include Sobar, Havelock, Proud, Future and Lord.Victorian Heritage Register https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/13532 What is significant? Lord Lodge is a thoroughbred racehorse training complex adjacent to Caulfield Racecourse, established in 1890. The area immediately around the racecourse has been associated with horse racing activities and businesses servicing the industry since the development of the racecourse in late the 19th century. Lord Lodge was named by the present occupants after the champion racehorse Lord who was stabled there in the 1950s. In the early 20th century the property was known as 'Andover' and subsequently 'Moidart'. The site consists of a single storey brick Italianate villa, jockeys' quarters, stables and open day yards with direct access to Caulfield racecourse from the rear of the property. The villa of 10 rooms on bluestone foundations was constructed in 1890 by John Leek, a horse trainer who purchased the newly subdivided land in 1888. The house has many Victorian Italianate or Boom Style features although it is more modest than many villas of its style. It has an asymmetrical facade with a faceted bay window and a prominent central tower with low pitch pyramidal roof that provides a clear view of the racecourse. Other characteristic features include stilted segmented arches, bracketed eaves, stucco wall finish and cast cement ornamentation. A room has been added on the north-facing verandah in sympathetic style and finish. Internally the rooms are substantially intact with original marble fireplaces and intricate ceiling roses and cornices. An entrance toward the rear of the southern side of the house is said to be where the stable hands, jockeys and other staff lined up for their meals. In the southeast corner of the property, backing directly on to Caulfield racecourse, is a substantial late Victorian timber stable, probably constructed in the 1890s but first appearing on the property title in 1910. The stable has 12 stalls, a loft and brick pavement and jerkin head roof form with varnished pine-lined ceiling carried on a chamfered timber frame. It has an original roof lantern. The doors of the stalls are not the original sliding doors but swing doors obtained from a barn at Epsom Racecourse in Mordialloc prior to demolition. Outside the gambrel roof has fretted barges but the building is otherwise utilitarian. Timber throughout the stalls has been worn by chewing and rubbing of horses over the century of its use. In the southern half of the property are open day yards where the racehorses are kept during the day. The red brick, single storey jockeys' quarters to the rear of the villa were probably built around 1950. A small brick, possibly late Victorian structure on the eastern boundary thought to have originally been a gardening shed, has been converted to a stable of two stalls. Modern concrete brick stables fill the northeast portion of the property. At the front of the property two Moreton Bay Figs (Ficus macrophylla), probably planted in the late 19th century, provide shade for horses in the day yards. In the 1890s John Leek sold the property, relocating his training facility to one of the newly established racecourses at Mentone or Mordialloc (Epsom). By 1899, the property was owned and occupied by Alfred Merrill, a dentist, who named the property 'Andover'. In 1910 it was purchased by Leslie McDonald, a gentleman, and renamed 'Moidart'; sold in 1910-1911 to John Robertson; and again in 1926 to John Arthur, a racehorse owner. The Victorian Amateur Turf Club purchased the property in the late 1930s and since this time has been leased to racehorse trainers. It is unclear whether the property operated as a training facility between 1899 - 1926. Several notable trainers and jockeys are associated with Lord Lodge. The best known is Arthur 'Scobie' Breasley, Australia's most successful jockey who was apprenticed to trainer Pat Quinlan at Lord Lodge (then 'Moidart') from 1928 - 1935. Breasley rode winners of the Caulfield Cup in four successive years 1942-45 and again in 1952. John Leek, the original owner of Lord Lodge trained Ingliston, the 1900 Caulfield Cup winner. Along with 'Lord' a number of well known racehorses including Sobar, Havelock, Proud and Future were trained at Lord Lodge .....Page 40 of Photograph Album with three landscape photographs of the exterior of this house.Handwritten: 30 Booran Road [top right hand corner] / 40 [bottom right]trevor hart, jenny o'donnell, booran road, mansion, caulfield east, ingliston, sobar, havelock, proud, future, lord, andover, moidart, lord lodge, grace darling, caulfield racecourse reserve, victorian amateur turf club, historic buildings register, national estate register, caulfield cup, horses, stables, horse racing, racehorses, outbuildings, racehorse trainers, depression, 1890s, brick houses, mansions, towers, verandahs, stained glass, italianate style, victorian style, architectural features, architectural styles, john leek, leslie macdonald, john arthur, john robertson, alfred merrill, jenny odonnell

A supplement to celebrate 150 since the establishment of the Port Phillip Colony (Victoria).40 page newspaper published to celebrate the Sesquicentenary of Ballarat. Articles include: 1838-the pastoral period begins; First White Settlers arrive (Anderson, Winter, Yuille, Kirkland, Learmonth); Learmonths - Pioneer Settlers; The Rush to Ballarat; Last of the Aborigines; Eureka Affair Gains New Importance; Mining-After the rush; SMB - First Technical School; Clubs Play their Part; Ballarat Yuilles had Wealthy Ancestors; Town, Country Share a Close Relationship; Many Sides to Metals Industry; True Victorian City; Five Severe Recessions; Financiers to the Fore; Ready for War; City Rich in Sport Facilities; Visitors to most exciting place; No Place for a Nervous Lady; Theatres Provide Welcome Diversion for Mines; Might Achievers Among famous Citizens; Life Seemed Different After the War; Ballarat School of Mines Eastern Station Hotel; Memorial (Her Majesty's) Last of Many Theatres; Art Gallery at its Best; Pilgrimage to Yuille Cairn at Sebastopol Images include: Jelbart tractor; Sunshine Harvester; Bailey's Mansion; Pennyweight Hotel; Bridge Mall; Blue Riband Mine, Black Hill, Burrumbeet Shooting party; A wendouree rowing club; Motor Cycle Racing; Women bowlers, Queen Elizabeth; Gong Gong Methodist Church; Arbour day at Waterloo Farm, Smythes Rd; Gold panners (1890s); Ballarat Cricket Team (1902); William Peart; D'Angri's store; Sturt St Advertisements include: Rehfisch and Co.; UFS Dispensaries; Deutscher Mower Sales and Service; Haymes Paint; Cincotta's; Abraham's Sportscene; McK's; McKay Macleod; St John of God Hospital; Benjamins Real Estate; Ballarat Water Board; Cornell's Pharmacy; Laminex Industries; Coltman Mitre 10; Lal Lal Iron Mine; Heinz Bros; Crockers; Frank ford travel; S.J. Weir; Ludbrook Plumbing Service; Mars; Robert Sim Building Supplies, Frank Day; Sectrol Systems; Thornton Richardsballarat, anniversary, sydney abraham, cincotta, eureka, ballarat school of mines, mining, ballarat club, lal lal iron mine, ballarat rangers, victorian rifles, 3rd battalion victorian rifles, ballarat militia, white flat, celia scott, adelphi theatre, victoria theatre, montezuma theatre, charlie napier, juliamatthews, royal theatre, dick richards, henry sutton, eleanor lucus, martin hosking, newington estate, saleyards, g. gay & co, ballarat books, old benev' alleviated distress on goldfields

Arthur Allsop went into the business office at Bendigo (Vic.) of the late Mr. Alfred Joseph. He later operated as an independent bookmaker. Arthur Allsop was a partner in the firm of Kelly and Allsop and was involved in mining and speculation in Bendigo. He was elected as a member of the Bendigo Stock Exchange in 1906. He started his athletic career at picnic sports and was a fine athlete winning many foot races. For 15 years he acted as secretary of the Sandhurst City Fire Brigade, he was captain of the Bendigo lacrosse team. He was a fair cricketer, and played against the English and Australian Elevens. He played football, and acted as secretary to the Bendigo Football Club. In later years he played bowls and captained pennant teams. He was a Past District- Grandmaster in the M.U.I.O.O.F. Allsop eventually moved to Melbourne and then Sydney working as a bookmaker. He died in Sydney in 1921. His wife Belle died in Bendigo in 1914 and is buried in the Bendigo Cemetery.Ten betting record books of various sizes and one card holder that belonged to Bookmaker Arthur Allsop. All books have black leather covers. Seven have gold lettering on the front covers with variations - Arthur Allsop Sandhurst: A Allsop Sandhurst: A Allsop Victorian Club: Arthur Allsop Victorian Club: Sandhurst (Name section removed): Member Victorian Club and Bowes' Tattersalls Reg. VRC and VATC. Five books have gold clasps. The record books contain hand written details of betting records for horse races in Victoria and New South Wales. The records include dates, Race names, Horse names, punters; names and wagers. Records are dated from 1886 to 1891. Manufacturers include Weaklin & Flint's; Henry Penny.horse racing, bookmaker, arthur allsop, melbourne cup, sydney cup, australian cup, kelly and allsop, weaklin & flint, henry penny

Aulsebrook Collection: The Combined Victorian Outboard Championships -Conducted by the Outboard racing Club of Victoria and Victorian Outboard Club at Laanecoorie Reservoir: March 12th - 13th, 1977 -Extensive booklet for a racing program: ads, information for event, lists of drivers and events taking place and images of drivers. -A5 booklet, 14 pages, typed and photorgaphs

From the collection of Terry KEENAN. The 9 hole golf course known as the Sandridge Golf Club was part of Victorian Golf Clubs until it moved to Cheltenham in 1927. Trotting 'Speedway' located at top right of photograph.Black and white photograph of Fishermans Bend, Port Melbourne, c. 1940 showing General Motors Holden in the foreground. The original home of the Victoria Golf Club is shown on the left beside the Yarra River winding towards the city & North & South Wharves. built environment, fishermans bend, built environment - industrial, general motors-holden, victoria golf club, sport - golf, sport - horse racing

In 1925 there was a group known as the White Flat Improvement Committee. The White Flat Sports Reserve was officially opened on 18 March 1925 at which time Sir Alexander Peacock said that 'a wonderful change had been brought about at White Flat , and those who had brought it about would have the gratification of knowing that they were providing inestimable pleasure for the children and young people.' In 1934 the grandstand was moved to White Flat from the defunct Buninyong Racing Club. Albert Edward (Sonny) Mark was a foundation member of the Golden Point Cricket Club in 1910/1911 and part of the first Premiership side. He was a prominent A grade player and committee member for many years, including being Treasurer of the Club from at least 1933/34 to 1938/39. He acted as Golden Point delegate to the Ballarat District Cricket Association from 1934 to 1938. Sonny served as a Member of the White Flat committee from 1932/1933 to 1948/1949. Every year from the year 1933 until the Club went into recess in 1942 he took the chair for the election of President at annual meetings, an honour now reserved for Life Members. The B.D.C.A. B Grade shield named in Sonny Mark's honour for his contribution to the Golden Point Cricket Club and also to Ballarat cricket . He was instrumental in having the Grandstand at White Flat constructed and it was named in his honour. (http://goldenpoint.cricketvictoria.com.au/lifemembers.html)Five digital photographs of the grandstand at the White Flat Oval, Ballarat. Known as the A.E. 'Sonny' Mark Stand, it was opened in May 1934. ballarat, white flat, white flat sports ground, hickman street, south street, armstong street, oval