Picture the past
PETER BEGG solves a reader’s question about a mystery cricket pavilion, and he has historic photos to prove it in Picture the Past.
GEELONG sports historian Roy Hay recently wrote to this paper asking if the pavilion in the inset photo was anywhere around Geelong.
We were able to tell Mr Hay that is was in fact the cricket pavilion at Geelong College early last century, and we had photos on file to verify it.
A photo in the Geelong Advertiser’s former publication News of the Week from July 1910 showed a group photo taken from exactly the same angle featuring the pavilion in the background and a group of footballers out front.
It was headed Old Boy’s Day at Geelong College, and appeared with other tighter group photos.
According to the Geelong College website, the pavilion was designed by a former collegian, Frederick Purnell, who was responsible for a variety of building projects at the school. It was completed in 1904 and was first used on School Sports Day on December 14 of that year.
‘‘ The building and the newly developed Main Oval were opened by Neil Campbell, an Old Collegian and at that time Mayor of the City of Geelong,’’ the website said.
‘‘ Described as ‘ after the Parisian style of architecture’, the pavilion embraces a grandstand, with seating accommodation for about 300 people; a storeroom; caterers’ apartments; and dressing and bath rooms for the boys.
‘‘The dressing rooms are well lighted, lofty and perfectly ventilated, and each boy has for his clothing a locker, which is also constructed on hygienic principles. Above the grandstand is a look-out tower, the circular roof of which is supported by Jarrah columns.
‘‘ The colouring — terracotta and cream — blends nicely and pressed metal has been largely used in the ornamental work.
‘‘ Another feature of the pavilion is that the rear presents just as artistic an appearance as the front.
‘‘In 1936 the gargoyles, rotunda and turrets were removed to harmonise with the other buildings.
‘‘In truth, it was neutralized, and for the second half of its life presented only a sombre, retiring shadow of its former gay, colourful and rather flamboyant character.
‘‘In 1969, the pavilion was demolished to make way for the construction of the first stage of the Rolland Centre (which) was to become the focus of college sports facilities at the Senior School Campus.’’
The pavilion was said to have been a popular spot with students, and there was believed to have been a ‘‘smoking room’’ somewhere within.