General News
4 December, 2024
Grant funds pilot program to begin upgrades to historic Johnny Mullagh oval
Johnny Mullagh Interpretive Centre receives council grant.
The Johnny Mullagh Interpretive Centre in Harrow has received a $4662.35 grant from the West Wimmera Shire Council to fund a pilot program that will kickstart upgrades to the historic Johnny Mullagh Recreation Reserve.
The money from the grant will be used to purchase a picket fence around the oval, with removable panels to allow for better accessibility.
The project aims to enhance the site's historic appeal.
But, further upgrades are being sought by the organisation, and additional grant applications are being submitted.
The manager of the Johnny Mullagh Interpretive Centre and the Harrow Discovery Centre, Josie Sangster said the facility is becoming an attraction, with more and more cricketers travelling to the region to play on the oval that was once home to Johnny Mullagh.
"We call it the hallowed turf of Johnny Mullagh oval," said Ms Sangster.
"Johnny Mullagh once played here, It was his home ground."
Johnny Mullagh was a leading player on the 1868 Aboriginal Cricket Tour of England.
The all-rounder was born on a mission just north of Harrow and learned to play cricket on a nearby property.
"A lot of cricket teams are identifying with the story and wanting to come down to play at Harrow," said Ms Sangster.
Future upgrades the organisation is hopeful of includes an improved pitch and the construction of an old-school scoreboard.
While the local Pidgeon Ponds Cricket Club utilises Johnny Mullagh Oval for some of its D grade games, a better pitch would make the ground more suited for players of all abilities.
Ms Sangster said if a player like Scott Boland wanted to play a game on the historic oval in his retirement, "the ball would end up in Portland."
Continue telling the story
"The museum's purpose is to continue telling that story in respect to the first 11 for the generations to come," said Ms Sangster.
"We don't own the story, but we're certainly here to tell it, and people are enjoying learning about it."
While a statue of Johnny Mullagh is a centre piece in the first room you walk into, the museum is jam packed with cricket memorabilia.
In one display case sits the Johnny Mullagh Medal, named for the historic cricketer and awarded to the player of the match in the annual Melbourne test.
"The museum brings a lot of people to town, because thanks to Cricket Australia introducing the Johnny Mullagh Medal, people are now going what, where and who," said Ms Sangster.
Several organisations, alongside the Johnny Mullagh Interpretive Centre, have received funding from the West Wimmera Shire Council's 2024/25 Community Strengthening Grants Program.
The Goroke Golf Club, Edenhope Tourism, Apsley Action Group, Henley on Lake Wallace, Lake Bringalbert Foreshore Committee, Edenhope's Crossroads Tennis Club, Edenhope Men's Shed, Servicetown Bowls Club and Kaniva Senior Citizens each received grants ranging from $500 to $5000.