The Arthur Marshall Stand is as recognisable today as when it was built in 1936 on the Harvey Recreation Ground, albeit a name change.
Harvey Grandstand. The architects (Messrs. Powell, Cameron and Chisholm) have accepted Mr. J. Johnston’s tender of £1,428 for the erection of a grandstand and entrance gateway to the Harvey Recreation Ground for the Harvey Road Board. (West Australian, 22 August 1936, p. 6.)
Work Proceeding
Despite the inclement weather of the past fortnight, the contractor (Mr. J. Johnston) reports that pleasing progress is being made with the construction of the grand stand on the Harvey recreation ground. For some years the need of such a convenience has been appreciated by the Harvey Road Board and its action in proceeding with the work at this juncture should fill a long felt want in the district.
The main stand will provide seating accommodation for 300 people. On the ground floor there is a commodious bar fitted with a running counter. Entrance to the bar may be gained from either side or the front of the stand, whilst provision is to be made for service to be rendered from the rear as well as the; inside of the stand. A verandah provides the necessary protection on the outside. The counter is fitted with a special arrangement for the washing of glasses. Entrance to the ladies’ and men’s dressing rooms will also be gained from the front of the building. In each instance the rooms are fitted with showers. Two wooden stairways will lead up to the stand proper. The flooring in the lower portions of the stand will be of concrete. The foundations have been laid in concrete reinforced with steel. The lower brick work is carried up a considerable distance, whilst the seating is to be of wood with jarrah principals.
A roofless grandstand during construction. Photo: ‘Memories of Harvey’ Facebook.
The roofing has provided its special problems. The span of the roof is of 50 feet and is supported by two stauncheons one on either side of the building. No intermediate stauncheons have been included in the design in order that the view of persons using the stand will not be obstructed in any way. As the stand is facing west special provision had to be made to protect spectators in the stand from rain and rays of the setting sun. The roof overhangs in front of the stand for a distance of 17 feet and is to be constructed at an angle to afford protection from the sun and the weather, whilst at the same time it will in no way obstruct the view of spectators of the arena. The roof principals are constructed of steel and the steel trusses extend from stauncheon to stauncheon, which are over a 50 feet span. Thus support is provided for the overhang, which is to be constructed on the cantilever principle.
The entrance gates were named after Jim Rake in 2004 who was a footballer and tireless community worker in the town.[1] Photo from ‘Memories of Harvey’ Facebook.
The contract let to Mr. Johnston also provides for the erection of elaborate entrance gates facing into Gibbs street. They are to be constructed of brick and concrete, fitted with a turn-style entrance with a special change box adjoining. Special entrances are to be provided for members of various organisations and for ladies with perambulators. Both the stand and the entrance gates have been designed by Messrs. Powell Cameron and Chisholm, and the contract price for the work is in the vicinity of £1,500. The work is to be completed in about seven weeks’ time. (Harvey Murray Times, 28 August 1936, p. 5.)
Official Opening by Lieut-Governor
In introducing the Lieut-Governor, Sir James Mitchell at the Harvey Trotting Club’s meeting on Wednesday night, Mr J. Lowe, chairman of the Harvey Road Board said that he did so only in a formal manner as no one was better known in these parts than Sir James, who had followed the fortunes of this district over a great number of years. He conveyed thanks to Sir James, on behalf of the people, for his optimism and the way in which he had helped them along, not only as head of the Government but by inspiring confidence in the district.
It was, said Mr. Lowe, a very big step in a country district such as Harvey to possess such a fine recreation ground and pavilion, but if the people were to be induced to stay on the land they would have to be given some pleasures of the city people, and in improving the recreation ground the board had that end in view. He paid a tribute to the Harvey Trotting Club and the Harvey Agricultural Society for spending roughly £1,000 on the ground in the last six months. That was a wonderful achievement, he said, and it was that spirit which enabled him to ask Sir James to perform this ceremony tonight.
Continuing Mr. Lowe expressed regret that Lady Mitchell was unable through illness to attend. He then proceeded to praise the faithful work done by the Architect, Mr Powell and the contractor, Mr Johnston, both of whom responded. The Lieut-Governor, Sir -James Mitchell, who was present for the purpose of declaring the new grand-stand officially open, thanked Mr Lowe for his reference to Lady Mitchell, and said he was at Harvey because he liked to be associated with the progress of every part of the State, and real progress had been made in Harvey in the last few years. It was an excellent idea, he said, to have a sports ground to accommodate all sporting bodies and this had been done at Narrogin and Harvey. He hoped that the ground and the pavilion would be long enjoyed by the people of the district, and he congratulated all those who had been engaged on the building of the stand for the good work they had put into it.
Referring to the productivity of the Harvey district today Sir James said that the man who had taken up 100,000 acres of land had died, criticised because it was said that the land was no good. Yet today there was no similar area of land in the whole State producing as much. We could produce here quite as well as any other place in Western Australia and something we could produce better but here was still criticism of Western Australia, because it was misunderstood. He had been to Norseman recently. Gold was being produced there abundantly, here was closer settlement and in other parts wheat was grown. People should realise what a wonderful heritage we had in this country. If people would only buy what was produced in the State we would have no unemployment, but greater prosperity would be our lot.
He was glad, he said, that this provision had been made for all sporting bodies. It was just as necessary to build such a place as this pavilion as it was to build a big theatre in Perth, as the people must have sport and recreation. He congratulated Harvey on the work that had now been accomplished. He hoped that it would be a real joy and pleasure to the people and all who came after for many years to come. Mr F. George moved a vote of thanks to His Excellency. (Harvey-Waroona Mail, 27 November 1936, p. 8.)
The stand was named the Arthur Marshall Stand in 2004 in recognition of Marshall’s ‘Service to Cricket‘- nearly 700 games played.[2] Photo from ‘Memories of Harvey’ Facebook.
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[1] Hocking Heritage Studio, Shire of Harvey, Municipal Heritage Inventory, Review – 2014, November 2015, p. 414.
[2] Email from Terri Knight, 11 May 2024.