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.

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.

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.

1885

Queen’s Park East

Queen’s Park East was gazetted as a park, incorporating a MCC field.

1888

Queen’s Park West

Queen’s 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.

Easter 1902

Townsville vs Mackay

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

Early 1900’s

A new wicket for Market Reserve

Market Reserve (now the site of CQU city campus) gets a new wicket.

Easter 1908

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

1920’s – 1939

Easter carnivals

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

1925

The Bardsley XI toured Mackay

This was the first of 5 occasions of tours, featuring Warren Bardsley, Alan Kippax and Tom Andrews.

1926/1927 season

Two junior cricket teams

Junior cricket in Mackay commenced with the formation of the 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.

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.

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 were McMillan (after Jim McMillan), Hamilton (Bob Hamilton), Trevaskis (Roy Trevaskis), Cameron (Duncan Cameron), Lancaster (Jack Lancaster) and Gorrie (George Gorrie).

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 of rain fall, which meant much of the season was washed out. The rule at the time was no ground fees are 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

The Cobb and Co XI came to town to play 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 commenced the 1973/1974 season.

September 1975

Warren Saunders XI

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

By 1978 there were 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!).

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 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.

11 October 1989

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

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.

3 August 1999

The $2 million Harrup Park is opened

“The crowing 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.