Mullalyup Districts Picnic Racetrack

Statement of Significance

The racetrack was formed by voluntary labour and was an important social venue for the district. It is now valued as part of a nature reserve.

Physical Description

The racetrack is a cleared grassed oval shaped track with the surrounding vegetation part of a nature reserve of mainly indigenous flora.

History

In 1905, Balingup Race Club was formed and axemen cleared the track of tall timber, the winning post being a black stump on the edge of the track. On 20 March 1906, the first race meeting was held and the inaugural winner of the Balingup Cup and £20 prize money was Floanda, owned by Mr. C. M. Scott. Other events that day included an under-hand Log Chop, with competitors providing their own logs 4 ft. 6 ins. in girth. The area in the centre of the track was only ever one third cleared of bush, so the races were always partially obscured from view. The Moore family played an important role in the early history of the Balingup Race Club, which held meetings until about 1924, when interest waned, although it continued to operate occasionally until 1938.
During the 1960s-1970s, the area of the race track was used as a piggery. The track remained closed until the 1980s, when work began to restore the race track, where the last races were run in 1986-87. In 2005, Racecourse Flora Reserve was created with the amalgamation of three separate reserves including the site of the racetrack.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low to moderate. The route of the track can still be discerned but little remains of the former race track.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.