Rabbitohs return to Redfern Park

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At the same time, the agreement to be voted on by Council
ensures the ground is shared with local sporting teams such as the South Sydney
All Blacks and local schools, and available and open for the public to use.

The Rabbitohs will use the new Redfern Park
for 10 hours per week in the pre-season (from 2009) and 20 hours per week
during the season. Souths will also be responsible for maintaining a specific
area within the state of the art grandstand including change rooms, a gym,
store rooms and a physio room. Souths can also play a small number of
pre-season and exhibition games at the Park.

CEO Monica Barone
said the new Redfern
Park will be a great
boost for the local community.

“We are creating an open, attractive and accessible park,
with professional sporting facilities. The oval will be used as a professional
training facility for Souths and an attractive first-rate playing field for the
local juniors, community, school and sporting teams,” Ms Barone said.

Major improvements for Redfern Park
also include:

  • More open
    space, through the removal of old grandstands, high concrete walls and barbed
    wire;
  • Gentle
    grass terraces and a state-of-the-art architect-designed spectator stand;
  • New
    children’s play areas, including an interactive water play feature designed by
    renowned indigenous artist, Fiona Foley;
  • New
    trees, shrubs and groundcover;
  • Upgrade
    of all paths and kerbs;
  • New
    lighting throughout the park; and
  • Restoration of the park’s historical elements such as the fountain and
    the War Memorial.

History of RedfernPark

  • 1885 – The original site was proclaimed for the purpose
    of public recreation and named Redfern
    Park. Cricket and rugby
    union are played.
  • 1888 – Civil engineer Charles O’Neill designs the formal
    park layout. Formal landscaping includes a fountain, with money donated by
    prominent local resident, John
    Baptist. Today it is known as the Baptist Fountain. Plants are supplied by the
    Royal Botanic Gardens.
  • 1890s – Further improvements are made with the
    installation of the elaborate gates on Redfern Street and wrought iron work.
    Cricket and rugby continue to be played.
  • 1903 – Victor Trumper plays one of the most famous
    innings in Australian cricket history with 335 in three hours. A window that
    was broken by a huge drive for six remained unrepaired for over 60 years as a
    tribute.
  • 1948 – The South Sydney Rugby League team starts to play
    home games at Redfern
    Park. Their first match
    there is a 19 all draw with Easts.
  • 1987 – A ground record crowd of 23,257 enters the park
    for a Souths v Manly match.
  • 1992 – Prime Minister Paul Keating delivers his famous Redfern Park speech to commemorate International
    Year of the World’s Indigenous People.
  • 1996 – Souths play their last first-grade match at
    Redfern. They beat the South Queensland Crushers 48-16.

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