Special Council Meeting - City of Burnside

Landmarks of Burnside
Kensington Oval
Kensington Oval was purchased in 1874 by a group
of local residents. Seven years later some of the
land on the perimeter was sold, the revenue funding
a pavilion, fences and a scoreboard.
South Australia’s fi rst inclined cycle track was also
built there in 1888. Between 1898 and 1920 the
oval fell into disuse and was for a time used as the
Council’s works depot.
In 1920 the Kensington Cricket Club leased it and in
subsequent years the oval was replanted and other
improvements were made. Sir Donald Bradman was
a playing member of the Kensington District Cricket
Club from 1935 until the late 1940’s and was on the
club’s Committee for more than 20 years. His highest
score was 303 scored in less than 5 hours at the
Kensington Oval against Port Adelaide in 1939.
During World War 2 the army used it for troop
training. After the war the South Australian National
Football League also used it for league football.
In 1963 the oval was leased to the South Australian
Amateur Athletics Association and the South
Australian Soccer Federation. A synthetic running
track was laid and the oval was renamed for a time
as the Olympic Sportsfi eld. For many years it was
Adelaide’s principle athletics stadium, and was used
for soccer until 1990. A portion of the land has since
been licensed to nearby Pembroke School, but is
still available for public use.
TOP LEFT - Mayor Claridge (left) and
Sir Willoughby Norrie, Governor of SA opening
Kensington Oval in 1945
TOP - children at a football match in the 1950’s
LEFT - the oval was often used for sports carnivals
and athletics events
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