In 1944 a gymkhana held at the Ferntree Gully Recreation ground attracted between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors. Organisers realised that a larger ground was required if such events were to expand. Across the road was 28 acres of land covered with blackberries and weeds. The parish priest, Fr Flynn, after inspecting the site obtained permission from the Archbishop to acquire the property from the owner, Michael Brenock (the station master at Ferntree Gully). The paddock was converted into a recreation ground and was officially opened on Easter Monday, 10th April, 1945 by the Archbishop. Approximately 30,000 people, including 20,000 who had travelled by special trains, attended the opening.
Reports of early athletics events held at Brenock Park describe the track as rough. Representatives of the Victorian Amateur Cycling Union, the League of Victorian Wheelmen and the Victorian Athletic League met with members of the Brenock Park sports committee and arrangements were made to upgrade the facilities. The cycling track was to have two 75 yard straights plus two 145 yard bends banked to 5 feet. The circular running track was inside the cycling circuit and contained three cinder gift and sprint tracks down the centre of the ground. A second oval, approximately the size of the Royal Show arena, was also constructed. A dirt track for motor cycles and speedcar racing was built on the second oval. Gymkhanas and the Ferntree Gully Agricultural Show were also held on this oval.
Athletics and cycling carnivals were regularly held at Brenock Park. Apart from the Brenock Park Gift, the New Year Gift and the Australasian Championship were two major athletic events held at Brenock Park. Cycling was held in conjunction with the athletics events. Brenock Park was the finish for a number of Sun Tours including the first Sun Tour in October 1952.
The first Sun Tour was raced on a six consecutive days over a distance of 900 miles between Tuesday 7th October and Sunday 12th October. Sixty-one riders nominated for the race and fifty-six actually greeted the starter.
| Day | 1 | Race started outside Parliament House, Melbourne. The riders travelled along the Western highway to Ballarat and then continued to Geelong (124 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Day | 2 | Geelong to Bendigo via Bacchus Marsh (131 miles) |
| Day | 3 | Bendigo to Cobram via Shepparton (168 miles) |
| Day | 4 | Cobram to Wangaratta to Seymour and then to Preston (202 miles) |
| Day | 5 | Preston to Yallourn to Maffra (140 miles) |
| Day | 6 | Maffra to Berwick to Narre Warren North to Lysterfield and then to the finish line at Brenock Park, Ferntree Gully (134 miles) |
Twenty thousand people packed the oval at Brenock Park to watch the riders do four laps to complete the first Sun Tour of Victoria. The final placings were
- Keith Rowley
- Max Rowley
- Jack Hoobin
Two local identities competing in this race, and many other cycling races at Brenock Park, were Bob and John De Coite. Although all the riders were professional - that is they won prize money for cycling - the De Coite brothers of Ferntree Gully trained early in the morning and then worked a full day. Other riders such as Max and Keith Rowley earned their living from cycling and had a support team following them in cars throughout the race.
The race tested the riders and their bikes. Road were often gravel with potholes. There were steep mountains to navigate and sprints at the end of each section. Only eighteen riders completed the first Sun Tour.
Brenock Park was named after Michael Brenock who sold the land and then donated part of the proceeds to the project. The W.Munn Oval was named after William Munn, a friend of Michael Brenock.
Coulson, Helen. The Story of the Dandenongs pp 166-167
Ireland, William. Brenock Park. Knox Historian 5(2) 1993. p11
Articles on athletics carnivals held at Brenock Park published in The Sun, 1947-1949
Rowley, Max. The Rowleys Golden Years of Cycling
Created by: Timothy Court
Last Modified: Thursday, 13 April 2000
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