History of Melbourne Park

They found the unrivalled geographic location, beside the burgeoning city

Bound by the Yarra River and primely positioned at the focal-point of Melbourne’s metropolis.

The location first links to sport in the 1860s when Melbournians were already beginning to demonstrate their preoccupation and participation such leisure activities.

1864: Forty-four acres of land is permanently vested in the City Council as a public park.

Victorian Government Gazette, May 6 1864: The land on which Melbourne Arena is built, was reserved for the Civil Service Cricket Club to retain use of that portion of the ground

1873: This appears to be the first time that the land is referred to under the name Flinders Park.

1879: A Victorian Act of Parliament designates part of the land for railway purposes.

This would remain encroached on the parkland for most of a century.

May 6, 1916: Peace and anti-conscription rallies are held in Flinders Park, with renowned suffragists Vida Goldstein and Adela Pankhurst speaking.

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor tries to ban gatherings in Flinders Park under the Federal Government’s attempt to crack down on demonstrations. Despite the fact that ‘custom had resulted in the right of any person to address whoever will listen to him on Yarra Bank'.

This had become 'regarded as almost equally as unassailable as his right to eat and drink’.

During Victoria’s centenary celebrations, an amusement park called Joyland is erected as a fair with free entry. Operated by a private company, there is some public protest at it being located on public land. The amusement park enjoyed only limited success in attracting crowds and the company operating it went into liquidation in January 1935.

(Argus, 23 June 1934, p20 / Age, 26 Sept 1934).

1955: Melbourne City Council bans the use of loud speakers at Flinders Park ‘speakers’ forum’ to make it more tranquil.
(Argus April 13, 1955, p 5).

Regulations for city parks state that no fetes, assemblies, picnics or concerts, public worship or speaking shall take place in the parks without the permission of the Committee. Four years later, however, Flinders Park is made exempt.
(Victorian Government Gazette, September 25 1959, p 2902 and 2904)

Melbourne is in danger of losing Australian Open. The need for a new tennis centre is recognised as the current site of Kooyong is no longer adequate. There is a lack of facilities for players, spectators, media and tennis officials. Negative media commentary after 1983’s event called it ‘a disgrace to Australian tennis’.

The Lawn Tennis Association of Australia (LTAA) declares a need for a larger arena to seat 15,000 fans, plus complex of indoor and outdoor courts.

The Cain Labor Government, in partnership with the LTAA, taske action to approve the funding for a feasibility study, for Victoria to establish a National Tennis Centre.

A National Tennis Centre Trust is given a brief to deliver Victoria with a world-class complex that can operate as a Grand Slam Tennis venue and multi-use entertainment centre – as major tennis events, such as the Australian Open, Davis Cup ties and the Federation Cup would only utilise the centre for a maximum of eight weeks each year.

Flinders Park is identified as the preferred site after considering several locations – Flinders Park, Olympic Park/Barracks, Albert Park, under the Westgate bridge – as well as expansion of Kooyong.