THERE is nothing more symbolic of grassroots cricket than a white picket fence.
And thanks to the support of community and council, Redlands Cricket’s Ron Field Oval has officially reopened with a new one.
A ceremony was held inviting members of the Field family to join Redlands Cricket officials, Redland City Councillors and local MPs for the opening and re-commemorating of the oval’s fence and entry arch.
The original fence, donated by the Clem Jones Centre and installed by club volunteers in 2002, was significantly damaged when the ground was flooded in 2022.
Redlands Cricket was successful in obtaining a capital infrastructure grant from Redland City Council to partially cover the cost of the new fence, with the Redlands Sporting Club also providing a generous contribution.
“With the imagination of club president Sean Lloyd, we included the Ron Field Archway sign which is pretty spectacular,” club administrator Glenn Barker said.
“Without the financial assistance of both the Redland City Council and the Redlands Sporting Club, this would project not have been possible.
“The new fence and the current grounds maintenance programs puts our No. 3 ground the best in Brisbane.”
The oval is named after local cricket enthusiast Ronald Field, who had deep ties to the local sporting community.
Born in 1914, Mr Field was a dedicated cricketer who played across regional New South Wales and later became an influential figure in Redlands cricket after retiring to Macleay Island with his wife, Leila, in 1973.
He served as “life patron” of the Redland Cricket Association, and his contributions to the sport are commemorated with annual trophies in his name.
Following the amalgamation of the Redland Cricket Association and East Redlands in the late 1990s, three new cricket grounds were developed at Wellington Point and named after gentlemen who had all played a significant part in Redlands cricket: Peter Burge, Fred Kratzmann and Ron Field.
All ovals were officially named at a special ceremony in January 2001 by the then mayor of Redland Shire Council, Eddie Santagiuliana.
“Having the oval named for Ron was most certainly an honour for our family, and all five offspring were on site on that day in 2001 to attend the dedication,” Ron’s son David said.
“We were all pleased that it wasn’t named the Ron Field Field,” he joked.
