Bradman’s former cricket club makes $9m transformation pitch
Legendary cricketer Sir Donald Bradman’s former eastern suburbs club is building a new home. The club dubbed “one of the most successful in Australia” has the likes of Greg Blewett, Clarrie Grimmett and newcomers Jake Lehmann and Jason Sangha on its honour roll.
Grand $9 million plans for a brand-new clubroom housing the Kensington District Cricket Club (The Browns) and Burnside Rugby Union Club are looking for their final tick of approval from the City of Burnside assessment panel.
Work on the new club was expected to start at Kensington Gardens Reserve in January next year, with clubs relocating their games and clubroom activities; senior cricket matches would be played at Park 25 behind Karen Rolton Oval, and the Kensington Hotel would host functions and presentations.
Dating back to 1920, The Browns was once home to famed cricketer Sir Donald Bradman during the 1930s and 40s. The famous batter wore number 67 and scored 3377 runs at an average of 87.
Other players who have been a part of the club include Clarrie Grimmett, Peter Sleep, Tim May, Greg Blewett, Barry ‘Nugget’ Rees and Ashley Woodcock, with current members including Alex Ross, Henry Hunt, Henry Thornton, Lloyd Pope, Jake Lehmann and Jason Sangha.
The Browns president, Tony Bedford, said that the club was one of the most successful in Australia.
“It’s probably one of the most famous honours boards in the state, to be honest, if not Australia, with the Don up there in gold leaf,” he said.
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“A large pedigree of players over the years have had representation at either state or country honours.”
The current clubrooms were primarily built in the 1950s, with the City of Burnside describing them as being in “very poor condition”.
Barry Cant, who is the City of Burnside’s director of environment and place, said that the plan to rebuild the clubrooms was first mooted five years ago.
“The existing clubrooms are in very poor condition and they lack modern amenities, and in particular, are not suitable for the growing diversity in the club’s makeup, and particularly not suitable for junior or female players,” he said.
“We’re looking for greater participation, particularly of women and junior players in both cricket and rugby, but also providing an expanded community asset for access by the broader community, not just those involved in the sports.”
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If approved by the assessment panel, the new, two-storey clubrooms will feature an increased number of fully accessible changerooms, including one dedicated to umpires, along with a medical room and storerooms.
There would also be a gym and a versatile function space with a bar and canteen that can be used for community functions.
The joint initiative between the two clubs and the City of Burnside was expected to cost an estimated $9 million.
The new club, designed by Cox Architecture, would be funded by $3.6 million from the federal government and $2.67 million from the state government, with the remainder covered by the council.
Cant said that the club was in the final stages of choosing a builder and hoped to start construction in January, with an expected completion time of Christmas 2026.
The works would see a White Cedar and a River Red Gum tree felled, Cant saying they were unlikely to survive the demolition works.
Cant said that the council would plant more trees to offset the losses, adding that the placement of the new building was designed to reduce the number of trees that need to be removed.
He was confident that the planned facility would be approved by the assessment panel.
“Council worked collaboratively with the clubs to ensure that we had a building that not only met their needs, but also sat aesthetically within the reserve setting to make sure it was appropriate … but also worked with us to ensure that we were comfortable that it would provide improved access for the greater community as well,” he said.
