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Sporting history and figures
Waverley Cricket Club at Waverley Oval in 1987. Photo by Marion Corry, from Waverley Library's Local History Collection.
Early sporting and cricket history
The sporting history of Waverley Park, Oval and Pavilion dates from the 1880s when the Waverley Cricket Club gained approval to construct a pitch. Football codes also began using the park at this time. In 1890, the oval was created, and in 1898 the Waverley District Baseball club was founded at the oval.
The first Pavilion was built by the Waverley Cricket Club in the 1890s and Council built a second structure in 1908 with expanded facilities for the benefit of the cricketers and the public.
This Pavilion was replaced in 1939 with an Inter War Functionalist style building, made of reinforced concrete with a metal roof, three large dressing rooms, a first aid room, an office and refreshment, recreation and common rooms. The Bondi United Club was formed in 1946 by ex-servicemen looking to play Rugby League as a means of maintaining friendship.
This Pavilion lasted until 2010, when it was demolished and replaced with the facility we have today. Learn about the vision and design features of the Margaret Whitlam Recreation Centre.
Margaret Whitlam at the official opening of the Bondi Pavilion Theatre. Image from Waverley Library's Local History Collection.
Important figures
Council named the Pavilion’s new grandstand the O'Sullivan Horsell Grandstand in 2011, to honour the contributions to cricket and the Waverley community made by Phil O’Sullivan and Bob Horsell.
The following year, Council passed a motion to re-name the new Waverley Park Pavilion the Margaret Whitlam Recreation Centre, in honour of the long association the late Margaret Whitlam had with the Waverley area. The Pavilion was chosen to honour her because of its civic, community and recreational facilities incorporating several important aspects of Margaret Whitlam’s life.
Find out more about these figures below.
Margaret Whitlam (1919–2012) was an influential Australian athlete, social worker, writer and advocate. Margaret Elaine Dovey was born and raised in Bondi. A passionate swimmer, she was a member of the Bondi Ladies Amateur Swimming Club and represented Australia in the 1938 British Empire Games. In 1942, Margaret married Gough Whitlam, who went on to become Prime Minister in 1972.
Margaret Whitlam was an outspoken public figure, frequently serving as a guest speaker, broadcaster and columnist. She travelled extensively and maintained a strong interest in women's issues and cultural projects, serving on the International Women's Year Advisory Committee, working as a UNESCO goodwill ambassador, and holding leadership roles with the Sydney Dance Company, the National Council for International Literacy Year, the Law Council of NSW and more.
In 1983, she received the Order of Australia for her community service, and in 1997, she was recognised as a national living treasure. Margaret and Gough eventually returned to the eastern suburbs, where she remained a beloved local figure, often seen eating and shopping in Bondi.
To find out more, visit the National Archives of Australia.
Phil O’Sullivan (1922-2020) was involved in local cricket for over 80 years and held a number of positions on the club’s committee including President.
He efforts to attract youths to the club in the 1960s and 70s earned him an Order of Australia. He played a pivotal role in coaching and mentoring young players, helping to establish the club’s junior academy, which became the largest in Australia.
Bob Horsell (1940-2024) served as President of the Waverley Cricket Club for 19 years. He also held the prestigious positions of Chairman of NSW Cricket, Director of Cricket Australia and Director of the Bradman Foundation. In recognition of his significant contributions to cricket administration, Bob was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2012.
For over 100 years the Gregory Memorial Fountain has stood in Waverley Park. The sandstone fountain with Corinthian pillar and basin was erected in 1911, in memory of Charles W. Gregory by his club mates from Waverley District Cricket Club.
In 1965 it was rededicated to three club members, James Webb, Victor Jackson and Peter Fingleton, accidentally killed in a tragic motor incident while traveling to Parkes to play a city-country social cricket match.
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