State Government heritage lists Bassendean Oval

30/7/03
Bassendean Oval has been interim listed in the State Government's Register of Heritage Places.
In making a presentation to the Swan Districts Football Club today, Premier Geoff Gallop said the heritage listing recognised the unique historical and social qualities associated with the site.
"Bassendean Oval has significant social value and represents a sporting tradition in Western Australia," Dr Gallop said.
"As Patron of the Swan Districts Football Club, I am pleased this important landmark has been recognised for its value to the local community of Bassendean, as well as the wider football community.
"Bassendean Oval has significantly contributed to the local community for more than 76 years, as a venue for local and inter-school sports events and as the home-ground of Western Australian Football League (WAFL) team, the Swan Districts Football Club.
"The registration highlights the importance and role sport has played in local communities."
In addition to the playing field, two timber and masonry construction grandstands, three entry gates - the earliest built in 1929 - and a white timber picket fence around the oval, were assessed to have high cultural heritage significance.
"The Bill Walker and R A McDonald grandstands are elegant and graceful examples of the Inter War Utilitarian style, and are unusual for their timber construction," Dr Gallop said.
"The grandstands are named after prominent football identities Richard McDonald, the founder and inaugural President of the Swan Districts Football Club, and three-time Sandover Medallist Bill Walker, who won the medal in 1965, 1966 and 1967.
"Bassendean Oval has a well-known reputation for the foot-stomping of Swan Districts Football Club fans, achievable due to the timber floors of the grandstands.
"It was the first football oval in the State to use a siren for football games, which has become an 'icon' Australian sound associated with playing Australian Rules football and was also the first football oval to be issued a liquor licence in 1957."
Bassendean Oval was established in 1927 and operated as a cricket ground and as the headquarters for the Swan Districts Football Club, which entered the WAFL in 1934.
Bassendean Oval has since been in continuous use by the Swan Districts Football Club, except during World War Two, when it was used by the army.
Dr Gallop said it was important that places of State heritage significance be recognised and conserved for the community and future generations.
Premier's office: 9222 9475