“it all started on Monday November 9, 1868, with a cricket match played on a very simple pitch marked out on the grass of a paddock in what is now the western end of Shakespeare Street.”

9 November 1868

Town vs River Cricket Game

This game was held as part of Prince of Wales’ birthday celebrations at Hardie’s Paddock (southern side of Shakespeare Street, behind where the Coral Cay Resort is now). The players were all pioneers of the district. River won by 46 runs

1868 to 1873

Cricket as part of Mackay’s social scene

Many social matches were played over these years at Hardie’s Paddock, the home of Mackay cricket, including Married vs Single, Smokers vs Nonsmokers, and Civilians vs Army volunteers.

1 May 1873

Mackay vs Broadsound, a “notable social occasion”

A great day of weather and the finery of ladies in the field provided a colourful backdrop to this game at Hardie’s Paddock. Broadsound was a flourishing region by now, incorporating the St Lawrence shipping port.

The MCC of 1873 was “flourishing”, with enough players to field two teams.

Late 1881

A new committee and Mackay takes on Rockhampton

A new committee was appointed to revive the MCC, after many years of local industry taking precedence over sport. The first of many Mackay vs Rockhampton games was held on 12 December 1881 on the practice ground at the east end of River Street, preceded by a champagne lunch for the opening of the Prince of Wales Hotel on the corner of Sydney and River Streets, and followed by a ball at the School of Arts.

Cricketers at this time were visiting Mackay by boat. There were many problems and long delays with the tides and sandbanks. It wasn’t until the completion of the North Coast railway in December 1923 that teams could travel via train.

18 September 1882

School of Arts Concert

In aid of the Mackay Cricket Club, the concert featured a big future name, principal artist Nellie Mitchell, the future Dame Nellie Melba.

The first cricket pitches pre-1900 were mostly rough soil and grass.

1885

Queens Park East gazetted as a park, incorporating a MCC field.

1888

Queens Park West (now the Showgrounds) had a concrete cricket pitch.

2 September 1891

The Mackay Cricket Association is established

At a meeting at the Royal Hotel in Sydney Street, John Ewen (JE) Davidson, one of the fathers of the Mackay sugar industry, was voted in as the first President. Soon after at the first AGM in 1892, JE Davidson confirmed three affiliated clubs – Mackay, United and Walkerston.

January 1889

Mackay cricketer plays for Queensland

Lionel Knight Rice was the first Mackay cricketer to be chosen in a Queensland team, playing against the Australia XI at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground.

5 November 1894

Australian test match cricketers visit Mackay

Led by Percy McDonnell, the captain of the Australian team’s 1888 tour of England, and Arthur Coningham, the team came to Mackay to play a game for Graziers Brisbane against the 18 of Mackay.

1896

Mackay cricketers visit Charters Towers

Mackay sent a team for the first time to Charters Towers at Christmastime, via steamer to Townsville then a coach inland.

By 1900 the Mackay cricket pitches were concrete covered in matting, so higher scoring matches were common.

Easter 1902

The first Townsville vs Mackay cricket match was held at Queen’s Park

Early 1900’s

A new wicket was put down on the Market Reserve (now the site of CQU city campus).

Easter 1908

Mackay cricket’s ever improving status was confirmed with their win at the North Queensland Cricket Championship held in Townsville

The outbreak of the First World War, a cyclone in January 1918 and the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1919 sent cricket in Mackay into recess for 6 years. After the war many British migrants and single men from Southern states were attracted to Mackay by the burgeoning sugar industry where they made a significant impact to the quality of cricket played at that time.

1920’s – 1939

Easter carnivals were very popular, held with up to 16 teams from across Mackay, Finch Hatton, Bowen and Rockhampton.

1925

The Bardsley XI toured Mackay on the first of 5 occasions, featuring Warren Bardsley, Alan Kippax and Tom Andrews.

1926/1927

Two junior cricket teams were formed – Australs and Presbyterians.

Late 1920’s

A burgeoning Mackay cricket scene

There was a strong A Grade competition between Carltons, Colts, Trinity and Australs playing on Queen’s Park 1 and 2 Ovals and the Showgrounds. There were six B Grade teams – Carltons, Catholic Club, Wanderers, North Side, South Ward and Marsh & Webster, and many more teams in lower grades, all playing on the three concrete wickets on the Town Common (eastern and western sides of Casey Avenue).

30 August 1928

The Mackay Junior Cricket Association was formed

3 November 1929

Women join the cricketing ranks

The first women’s cricket match was held at the Showgrounds, between the District Hospital Nurses and the Business Girls and Telephonists, raising money for the District Hospital (now the Base Hospital).

April 1931

Don Bradman came to Mackay

As part of the Gar Waddy XI, Don scored over a century in front of an adoring crowd of over 6000 at the Showgrounds.

Christmas 1937

The opening of the Queen’s Park turf wickets

Funded by successful tours and fundraising projects by Mackay Cricket and installed after many hours of volunteer working bees, the cricketing fraternity at the time called it the “greatest moment in their cricketing lives”. Many matches were held there featuring local business teams, just for the novelty of playing on turf. Queen’s Park became the home of Mackay cricket then until 1962.

By the 1938/1939 season, Mackay junior cricket was “strong, active and progressive” and featured 30 affiliated teams.

1939

Mrs Graham’s cow paddock

In a purchase by the Mackay Junior Cricket Association for 1100 pounds (a two-storey house purchase price at the time was 900 pounds), the paddock featured lots of Moreton Bay figs, ti-trees and a big waterhole in its centre. Ray Mitchell was initiator of the purchase, and it resulted after long spirited debate by members. Many hours of backbreaking work were put in to clear the land, led by the Johnson family, who were canefarmers from Rosella, including the family purchasing machinery that the Association repaid when funds came available.

22 March 1940

Bill Ives XI played Mackay at Queen’s Park, rounding off a busy decade of Mackay cricket.

1941

Amalgamation of the Mackay Cricket Association and the Mackay Junior Cricket Association

The amalgamation was a very timely step that probably would not have happened any later as the 1940’s were all about trying to keep the game alive, with too few cricketers and officials available during the war. By 1943, there were only enough players left for one grade, made up of the young, the old and those in reserved occupations. Further Juliet Street development was agreed upon to stop until after the war.

In those early days at Juliet Street there were 5 concrete and two turf wickets. In the dry months, the outfields were bare and dusty, during rain they were muddy, and during the wet season they were overgrown with grass. Eventually the Association came into a position to acquire a mower.

1945/1946 season

Cricket was back in full swing

There were 14 teams playing as well as the return of a small Easter carnival. Most pressing at the time was developing the Juliet Street ground and paying the backlog of repayments to Mrs Graham totalling 800 pounds. Qld Cricket was very interested in the development and gave a grant for 100 pounds and a loan for 50 pounds to assist with levelling, grassing and laying of wickets.

1948

Mackay Cricket gets its first coach

Mossie Guttormsen was brought in as the first Association Coach, on salary of 8 pounds per week. His coaching and influence on Mackay cricket endured for at least 25 years, instilling “high standards of good sportsmanship and correct cricket courtesy”.

23 August 1948

Harrup Park gets its name

The name Harrup Park was decided upon at the AGM held at Christian Brothers College, with record attendance of 83 members, “as a fitting tribute to the magnificent service rendered to the Association by the President A.L. Harrup”. They also named the Main Oval Mitchell Oval in honour of the Vice President, Ray Mitchell. Other oval names are McMillan (after Jim McMillan), Hamilton (Bob Hamilton), Trevaskis (Roy Trevaskis), Cameron (Duncan Cameron), Lancaster (Jack Lancaster) and Gorrie (George Gorrie).

By the 1948/1949 season, there were 47 teams registered as part of the Mackay Cricket Association.

Easter 1949

Mackay vs Jack Chegwyn’s NSW XI

Played at Queen’s Park in “one of the most notable sporting events held in Mackay up to that time”, it was the first specific trip to Mackay not part of a regional travelling cricket tour. The NSW XI were also the first team of any sport to travel to Mackay by air. It was a very successful game, making the Association 400 pounds in profit.

1949/1950 season

District cricket zones

There were only four A Grade teams, with players now zoned by their residence – Colts, Easts, Wests and Souths. This zoning method was not popular and was rescinded in April 1952, so players could return to playing for the club of their choice.

1949/1950 season

Rain plays havoc on the MCA finances

The wet season saw almost 1800mm fall, which meant much of the season was washed out. The rule at the time was no ground fees collected when no play, so the MCA finances were seriously affected, taking them heavily into debt.

5 January 1950

Mackay cricketer chosen the play Sheffield Shield

The front page of the Daily Mercury proudly announced that Lance Druery was the first Mackay cricketer to be chosen for a Queensland Sheffield Shield team, to play against South Australia. Crowds gathered outside Field’s Electrical Store in Victoria Street to listen to the ABC coverage of the two games on loud speakers.

1950

Hockey and cricket coincide

An agreement was signed with Mackay Hockey Association for playing hockey in the cricket off season on the Town Common fields, and then onwards later at Harrup Park.

1954

Australia Day Carnivals

In the spirit of the earlier Easter Carnivals, an Australia Day Carnival commenced. These were washed out several times, but quickly became popular, attracting teams from Collinsville, Bowen, Proserpine, Clermont, Mistake Creek, Nebo, Eton, Pioneer Valley, and south to St Lawrence. They produced exciting cricket and were invaluable in making the game more widely known through these regions.

8 September 1962

The Pavilion

The Association funded a pavilion by setting up a building fund back in 1956, along with the help of loans from cricketers and the sale of some neighbouring allotments. The pavilion, or “dance hall” as it was referred to was opened by Mackay Mayor Jack Binnington. Cricketing guests to the opening included Ken Mackay, Peter Burge, Wally Grout and Barry Fisher. With the opening of the pavilion, Harrup Park was widely acknowledged as a first class cricket facility. Alongside cricket, the pavilion was host to indoor bowls, many functions and fundraising nights.

April 1965

Cobb and Co XI played Mackay at Harrup Park

1967/1968 season

Umpire payments

The Association decided umpires were now well organised and competent enough to be paid for matches, and this action was also seen to attract more interest in umpiring.

December 1968

The West Indies come to Mackay

West Indies played Queensland Country at Harrup Park on what was 100 years and one month after that first Town vs River game of 1868. 3000 spectators, most of them standing, came to watch a West Indies team who was the most popular cricketing team in the world at the time. Helping to offset the costs of hosting the game were RSL raffles, McGuire’s Hotel social team games and West’s fundraising picnic games.

1970

AFL signs on

AFL became the second major off season tenant of Harrup Park. Other codes to use Harrup Park over the years include Brothers rugby league, Souths rugby league, soccer, softball, baseball, Slade Point Athletics Club, Wests Athletic Club, and schools such as Mackay State High School and St Patrick’s College.

August 1974

Mackay Junior Cricket Association is reinstated

A meeting was held to initiate MJCA to stand on its own feet, after there was a callout in the Daily Mercury to recruit schoolboy cricketers, arranged in teams with senior club cast off gear. 40 teams had commenced the 1973/1974 season.

September 1975

The Warren Saunders XI came to Mackay for two games and a one day school students’ coaching clinic

October 1976

Sheffield Shield players converge on Harrup for a mixed teams competition

Greg Chappell brought 8 Queensland Sheffield Shield players to Mackay for a double wicket competition between teams of one Sheffield and one local cricketer. Over 2000 spectators came to Harrup Park to watch.

1976/1977 season

Completion of flexicrete and synthetic turf wickets

1978

6 A Grade clubs – Brothers, Easts, Farleigh, Lochiels, Wests and Slade Point

6 December 1978

The World Series came to Mackay

Kerry Packer’s World Series Cavaliers played the West Indies at Harrup in front of a crowd of 2700 (and on a week day!).

7&8 March 1981

Papua New Guinea vs Mackay

1982

Liquor licence application

An application was made to the Queensland Licencing Commission for a liquor licence, in anticipation of an extension and refurbishment of the original pavilion.

1982/1983 season

Mid-North zone formed for Queensland Country selection trials

Featuring players from Mackay and District, Proserpine, Bowen and Collinsville, (now renamed as Mackay/Whitsunday), it is one of 4 zones to compete between Rockhampton and Cairns.

30 April 1984 

A steering committee was appointed to investigate and report back on the feasibility of establishing a licenced cricketer’s club.

30 July 1984

Mackay Cricket Association is incorporated

A special general meeting voted to apply for incorporation to build a licenced club and raise initial finance through the issue of 200 foundation life memberships at $250 each.

1987/1988

Synthetic turf laid on some wickets and dressing rooms and extensions added to the pavilion.

28 January 1988

The Ansett Challenge between Mackay vs Rockhampton, with Rockhampton winning by 22 runs in a rain shortened game.

December 1988

Pakistan played Queensland in two one day matches

11 October 1989

The XXXX Challenge Cup, Mackay vs Rockhampton, featuring Allan Border playing for the Mackay team.

May 1990

The Moscow Circus came to Harrup and so did torrential rain

30 July 1991

Mackay Cricket Association officially owns Harrup Park

Incorporation was finalised, the Association trustees transferred legal Harrup Park ownership to Mackay Cricket, ending 70 years of trustees’ tradition. Trustees Ray Mitchell, Harry Winzar and Harry Flor: “their collective wisdom, business acumen, integrity and dedication to cricket all contributed to the making of the Harrup Park of today”

28 February 1992

Harrup hosted a World Cup match.. or tried to

India was to play Sri Lanka, with 4000 tickets sold, but the match was cancelled after two balls were bowled due to pouring rain.

August 1992

Wanderers Cricket Club played 2 one day matches against Mackay

6 July 1994

9 hole par 3 golf course opened

Mid 1990’s

Harrup hosts the Junior State Championships and Cricket Academy games

22-25 November 1995

Queensland vs Sri Lanka

3 August 1999

The $2 million Harrup Park is opened

“The crowning glory of the 60 years of endeavour by Mackay cricketers in transforming Mrs Graham’s cow paddock .. into one of the grandest cricket showcases in the State of Queensland.” Harrup Park is unique – owned by Mackay cricketers from Mackay Cricket Association memberships, started with 6000 members, developed by the Association on its own initiative and freehold land, and with signed Memorandums of Understanding with more than 40 sporting and community organisations.

“Cricketers now have a meeting place far grander than Ray [Mitchell}’s most optimistic dreams”

“the long grass, dust and mud of the Juliet Street of 1946 are now long forgotten.”

Early 2000’s

A $3million Field 1 rebuild was undertaken to enlarge, drain, resurface and refence, and install an electronic scoreboard, sight screens and night game lights to bring it up to a TV standard.

Early 2000’s 

Lease signed with Mackay Australian Rules for Harrup to be the City Hawks Club’s homeground.

2001/2002 season

MJCA and MCA affiliated again at a special general meeting, the new joint association was called the Mackay Cricket Association Inc.

2003/2004

$1.3million club expansion, featuring an outside deck and coffee lounge and refurbished and extended bars and gaming.

2003/2004

Cricket becomes a curriculum subject at North Mackay State High School and hosted at Harrup Park

2006

Australian Vigoro Championships held at Harrup

4 January 2008

Mackay Invitational XI vs East Asia Pacific day/night match for over 50s cricketers

January 2008

Australian Country Championships

2007/2008 season

A new electronic scoreboard was installed on the Mitchell Oval, commissioned from a Queensland Government Grant, along with new lighting.

The 2007/2008, 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons were the worst ever, with more wet days than days played of cricket. For the first time in 70 years, there was no winner of the Poole Cup in 2010/2011.

2008/2009 season

The Association took out a joint lease in partnership with Mackay Croquet Club and contributed maintenance of the croquet grounds.

August 2009

Harrup hosted the Powers Education Open Tournament, limited over T20 games between cricketing youth from NSW, North Queensland and two Indian clubs.

2010

Federal and State Govt joint grant of $2.8mill utilised to further develop dressing rooms, toilets and cricket administration offices.

2010

The Association took out a joint lease with Mackay Ladies Vigoro Association and contributed maintenance of their grounds. The Vigoro Association had made their grounds available for junior cricket since 1972.

22 October 2011

Ryobi Cup, Queensland vs Tasmania, in front of a crowd of 2500.

2011

Further grandstand additions

Roofing was added to the permanent grandstand on the southern end of the Mitchell Oval, and a set of demountable seating was erected at the northern end.

19 August 2011

Harrup hosted a coaching clinic for junior cricketers by Queensland and Australian pace bowler Geoff Dymock.

1 November 2011

Arabia comes to Harrup

Harrup hosted the Daily Mercury Arabian Nights Melbourne Cup party, featuring live camels and goats, setting the stage for Harrup to come to be known as a great social event venue.

March 2011

Club awards recognition

Harrup was named Central Queensland Club of the Year and Queensland Club of the Year, the first licenced club in Mackay to win the latter award. Harrup again won Central Queensland Club of the Year in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017.

2013

Club renovations

2014

Feature match – Brisbane Lions played Sydney Swans

October 2015

Queensland Bulls Masters T20 Country Challenge

6-9 December 2015

Queensland Bulls played the NSW Blues in a Sheffield Shield game

2015

The new function rooms extension is opened

24 August – 4 September 2016

International A series games between Australia A, a National Performance Squad, India and South Africa

6 March 2016

Brisbane Lions played St Kilda in the first of many NAB Challenge/JLT Series AFL preseason fixtures

2016

The first of many successful Eat Streets was hosted

26 February 2017

JLT Community Series game Gold Coast Suns vs Essendon

29 April 2018

The first of many annual CQ Emergency Services Days held at Harrup saw over 7000 people on the oval enjoying the displays and activities

12-13 January 2018

WBBL attendance record broken

10,000 people came to Harrup to see the first of many WBBL hosted games, when the Brisbane Heat played the Melbourne Stars

17 February 2018

Pink Stumps Day raised over $23,000 for the McGrath Foundation, and it was the top fundraiser across Australia that year

14 April 2018

NEAFLW game Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants

25 August 2018

The first ever Beer and BBQ Festival was a great success, with over 4500 attendees enjoying the boutique beers, food stalls, eating competitions and bands

12 November 2018

150th anniversary of cricket in Mackay

Celebrations included the inaugural Party in the Park, a free concert and charity T20 game at Harrup that attracted 8000 people.

November 2018 – $4 million renovation

New outdoor casual dining and bar area, a redesign of the entry, gaming and reception, and new Australian flora and fauna inspired decor

2018

Mackay Cricket is named Queensland Cricket Association of the Year

5-6 January 2019

WBBL double header weekend, featuring the Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades

3 March 2019

Preseason game Gold Coast Suns vs Western Bulldogs

May 2019

The Harrup Park Charitable Contributions Fund commenced

23 June 2019

AFLW Gold Coast Suns vs Brisbane Lions

16-17 August 2019

Harrup’s busy social scene

It was a back to back busy weekend, with international touring acts Xavier Rudd and Katchafire playing at an outdoor concert for over 2000 people, then the next day Harrup hosted the annual Beer and BBQ Festival with over 4000 people attending.

October 2019

North and Central Queensland schools descended on Harrup for the northern conference finals of the Street Smarts T20 State Challenge

September-October 2019

Harrup hosted two weeks of games of the Australian Under 17 championships

2019

Naming the Terry Hayes Grandstand

The grandstand was named in honour of longterm MCA Committee Member, President and Patron Terry Hayes who “dedicated his life to the community”. Terry Hayes has said: “My lifetime in cricket has left me rich in memories and so I sincerely thank all the cricketers who shared with me the cricket fields of the Town Common, Harrup Park and Queen’s Park and the delegates who, on every second Monday night, joined in charting the course of Mackay cricket..”

2-3 November 2019

WBBL Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers

November 2019

13-15 years Queensland State Schoolgirls championships

December 2019

8 teams from across Queensland competed in the Bulls Masters Under 16 Youth Cup

2019/2020

The Komatsu Womens Challenge Series commenced

2019/2020

National Under 17s cricket championships

6 March 2020

AFLW Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats

March-June 2020

Impacts of COVID on the club

The closure of the Club saw staff undertake regular phone check ins and more than 500 complimentary dinners and care packages delivered to some of the Club’s more vulnerable members.

2020

More awards recognition

Harrup was shortlisted in three categories, and took out two wins – Club Secretary/Manager of the Year and The Boundary Café won Best Dining (50-100 people) at the Clubs Queensland Awards for Excellence.

May Long Weekend 2020

Harrup hosted its first GBRA T10 Bash for Cash

Featuring 10 teams from Darwin, Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, Townsville and Rockhampton, however the Mens and State Challenges were cancelled due to the weather, but the Womens games went ahead.

While COVID cancelled or postponed a lot of the state and national carnivals across the 2022/2021 season, Harrup still hosted the NQ Alliance Open Male and Female, Under 21 and Under 18 Senior Carnivals as well as hosted 16 teams in December across the Under 12, 13 and 15 age groups of the Junior Northern Alliance Carnival.

2021/2022 season

Harrup started and concluded the Cricket Australia “Summer of Cricket”

Commencing with the Commbank Womens International One Day Series India vs Australia in September and ending with the Under 19 Championships of 10 teams in April.

13 February 2021

AFLW Gold Coast Suns vs Carlton Blues

2-3 May 2021

Harrup hosted an inaugural T20 Bash for Cash, with $50,000 in sponsored prizemoney hotly contested by 10 teams in a COVID restricted competition.

27 May 2021

The Reubens played a COVID-restricted numbers outdoor concert to 680 fans as part of their album tour.

November 2021

Harrup hosted 9 WBBL matches between 6 teams over two weekends

2021

Harrup won the Clubs Qld Support of Sport Award, for its continued support of female cricket in the Mackay region

9 January 2022

AFLW Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants

In 2021/2022, Harrup provided $6.5 million across all initiatives with direct community benefit for community groups, sport, local services and charities.

27 August 2022

Legends on the Lawn came to Mackay, albeit postponed from May, featuring big names like Jimmy Barnes, The Living End, Jon Stevens and more

17 September

AFLW Gold Coast Suns vs St Kilda

13-18 October 2022

WBBL Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers