29. Mortlock Park

Mortlock Park are the recreation grounds, originally entrusted to the District Council of Stanley by the Mortlock family for the Mintaro Community, for the intended use of facilitating community sports and recreation.

1910 Memorial to Mr. W. T. Mortlock for land for a recreation park
1911 Mr. W. T. Mortlock gifts 11 acres to the community, to be known as Mortlock Park
1912 Transfer of title to District Council of Stanley. Lease to the trustees of Mortlock Park
1912 Tree planting – 100 white cedars, 100 pines, 150 mixed gums
1932 Transfer of title to District Council of Clare
1934 Mr J. T. Mortlock ‘opened a fine shelter pavilion and dressing rooms’
1938 Opening and dedication of the Frederick Ranson Mortlock Memorial Entrance Gates
1949 Mintaro Progress Association forms Mortlock Park Subcommittee
1963 Lease agreement by Council with Mintaro Progress Association
2011 Loan Agreement with Council for Mintaro Oval Irrigation
2013 Registration of Lease to Minister for Emergency Services, for CFS facilities
2023 Lease agreement by Council with Mintaro Progress Association
2024 Opening and rededication of the rebuilt Frederick Ranson Mortlock Memorial Gates

Mortlock Park is community land held in trust by the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council to help provide recreation facilities for the community of Mintaro, the Clare and Gilbert Valleys region and visitors to the area.

Council manage the property and the Mintaro Progress Association, through a lease agreement with Council, maintain the recreation facilities. The Association’s Mortlock Park Subcommittee is responsible for day-to-day maintenance, and are assisted by the Mintaro-affiliated sporting clubs who participate at the Park.

The main user of the Mortlock Park grounds is the Mintaro Manoora Sporting Club. The Sporting Club along with Mortlock Park Subcommittee organise the running, setup and maintenance of the oval and netball courts and applicable facilities for the community. The facilities are used for football and netball games and functions during the winter season. Cricket games during the summer season are coordinated by the Auburn-Mintaro Cricket Club.

Mortlock Park is made up of an oval, 3 netball courts, clubrooms, toilets, multiple sheds and water resources. The clubrooms are used for community and private functions. It is fully equipped with a stainless steel kitchen, including large oven and dishwasher, and also includes multiple change room facilities for team sports.

In 2013 a portion of the Mortlock Park property was leased to the Minister for Emergency Services and houses the local CFS buildings and assets. This area is managed by the Mintaro CFS.

In 2017 Mortlock Park was designated as the ‘Fire Last Resort Refuge’ for the community. Access to Mortlock Park for visitors, community members and sporting supporters should be made on the western side of the grounds, off Mintaro Road, through the Frederick Ranson Mortlock Memorial Entrance Gates.[1]

Mintaro Progress Association sought approval in 2022 for the Frederick Ranson Mortlock Memorial Gates, which had been damaged and deemed unstable, to be redesigned to meet the entrance needs of the current century. They were rebuilt in 2023 with community support and were rededicated at a ceremony on 24 February 2024.

Notes

  1. Adapted from Mintaro Progress Association Strategic Plan 2023-2027, endorsed August 2022.

Mortlock Park is within the Mintaro State Heritage Area, designated 20 September 1984 under the South Australian Heritage Act 1978-1980.

Recreation Park
Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Fri 18 Aug 1911, Page 3.

Tree Planting
Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), Wed 18 Sep 1912, Page 12.

Mintaro Sports Club annual meeting
Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1954), Fri 4 May 1934, Page 15.

Opening of Gates to Mortlock Park
Northern Argus (Clare, SA : 1869 – 1954), Fri 7 Oct 1938, Page 7.

Mintaro Carnival Week
Northern Argus (Clare, SA : 1869 – 1954), Fri 14 Oct 1938, Page 6.

Big Fireworks Display at Mintaro
Northern Argus (Clare, SA : 1869 – 1954), Wed 2 Nov 1949, Page 9.