Lindner Oval, Peak Hill
Photograph of signage at Lindner Oval, Peak Hill. Photograph by Sandie Ward (Parkes Shire Library) taken on February 10th, 2016
Bill Lindner – Peak Hill’s hardworking property developer
The premier sporting field in Peak Hill – Lindner Oval – is named after one of the prominent businessmen in Peak Hill. William Frederick Lindner, or “Bill” as he was known, was a businessman who at one time owned over 50 properties in Peak Hill.
At one time, W. F. Lindner owned this building [Savage Bros] and all the shops to the laneway between Bert Leary’s buildings, except for the Roache & Matthews’ office. He also owned the building occupied by Fred Elliott and Len Titheradge on the opposite side of [Caswell Street] Source: A History of Peak Hill and District Chappel, Charles B. (ed) (1989) Parramatta: Macarthur Press, page 206 Print
Several buildings were built by Lindner, who used Bob Frazer to complete the construction (Chappel, page 205). Bill Lindner was born at Howlong (30 kilometres north-west of Albury, NSW) on March 8th 1877. He was the eldest of the family and left home in a horse and sulky with the intention of arriving in Dalby, Queensland. The five pounds in his pocket was almost gone by the time he reached Peak Hill in February 1900. Lindner took on some fencing work to enable him to rebuild his funds. He received so much work that he stayed on and made Peak Hill his home. Chappel states that his contract fencing price was £8.0.0 ($16.00 Source:Reserve Bank of Australia Pre-decimal Inflation Calculator http://www.rba.gov.au/calculator/annualPreDecimal.html) Lindner was known for his hard work, “…setting out early each morning with three oranges, his tucker for the day” (Chappel, page 351)
He is honoured within Peak Hill with three landmarks bearing his name – Lindner Corner, the building on the south western corner of Caswell and Mingelo Streets which houses the Information & Craft Centre; Lindner Street running parallel to the railway line; and Lindner Oval. At one time, Lindner “…owned 52 houses in the town and eleven business premises” (Chappel, page 351)
William Frederick “Bill” Lindner, aged eighteen years old. In the 1930s Lindner built many of the buildings that remain to this day in Peak Hill. However he originally was heading to Queensland, stopping only in Peak Hill temporarily. Instead he remained in town until his death in 1960. Source: A History of Peak Hill and District Chappel, Charles B. (ed) (1989) Parramatta: Macarthur Press, page 350 Print
Lindner Oval – Home of Rugby League in Peak Hill
Most people would associate Lindner Oval with sport, in particular rugby league. The local team, Peak Hill Roosters, play their home games at Lindner Oval where the vocal crowd cheer them on, despite the lack of recent success. However 1951 saw the Peak Hill crowned as premiers of Group XI in the Country Rugby League competition. While the senior team is yet to experience a win in the grand final (they have been minor premiers several times) the Woodbridge Cup youth team has been more successful. With the upcoming 2016 season seeing a ladies league tag team, Peak Hill “Bantams”, it is hoped that Lindner Oval will see even more victories.
Photograph of the amenities block at Lindner Oval, Peak Hill. Photograph by Sandie Ward (Parkes Shire Library) taken on February 10th, 2016
While the modern Peak Hill Roosters have not (yet) experienced success in the Woodbridge Cup, back in 1951 Peak Hill Rugby League Football Club were Group XI premiers. Source: A History of Peak Hill and District Chappel, Charles B. (ed) (1989) Parramatta: Macarthur Press, page 387 Print
Photograph of the plaque at the entrance to Lindner Oval, Peak Hill. Photograph by Councillor Louise O’Leary taken on February 5th 2016
The Red Berets landed on Lindner Oval on Thursday August 28th, 2014. This was the highlight of the Paint The Town REaD reading promotions for that year and drew a large crowd to Lindner Oval. Source: Parkes Champion Post August 22, 2014
Members of the Red Berets who parachuted onto Lindner Oval. They are joined with the Reading Bug and happy residents – just three of the hundreds of residents who turned out to witness this amazing spectacle. Source: Parkes Champion Post Monday, September 1, 2014
Peak Hill Roosters Rugby League Football Club who call Lindner Oval their home ground. Source: Peak Hill FM website
The Woodbridge Cup emblem. The Peak Hill Roosters have never won the Woodbridge Cup, the closest being runners up in 2012. Perhaps 2016 will be the year of the rooster. Source: Foxsports Pulse website
Peak Hill’s ladies league tag team, “The Bantams”, during preseason training at Lindner Oval. Source: Peak Hill FM website
Lindner Corner. The building now houses the Information and Craft centre. The main street, Caswell Street, is on the left of the building with Mingelo Street running from left to right in this photograph. Source: Peak Hill website
Photographs of Lindner Corner and the builders who built it. Bob Frazer was the builder that Bill Lindner used to build several buildings in Peak Hill. Source: A History of Peak Hill and District Chappel, Charles B. (ed) (1989) Parramatta: Macarthur Press, page 324
Community Events at Lindner Oval
In more recent years, Lindner Oval has become a venue for community events. The reading promotion organised by Rhonda Brain – Paint The Town REaD – has used Lindner Oval as the focal point for a truly unique event. The Red Berets landed by parachute on Lindner Oval, greeted by a huge crowd that came from within the Parkes Shire and some people from further afield. Another community event was the 2013 Boori Christmas party which brought a large crowd to the oval. Organised by Rebecca Sanders (Aboriginal Youth Worker) this included a jumping castle, games, treats, “Lolly Man” and Santa riding in on a motorbike then having photos with the children. The flat, green field meant it was easy for the children to see and chase the “Lolly Man” who was wearing overalls covered with lollies which the children were eager to take from him and consume. Meanwhile the grown ups enjoyed the shade and amenities offered by the canteen block. When activities required an alternative venue to Southern Cross Hall, the Peak Hill Boys Groups would use Lindner Oval for Oz tag and other activities. This group is facilitated by Rowen Pearce (Family Worker) and Rebecca Sanders who both work for Parkes Family Support Service within Neighbourhood Central (formerly Parkes Neighbourhood Centre)
Parkes Shire Library would like to thank the following people and organisations for their information and photographs that helped make this post possible: Councillor Louise O’Leary, Peter Herman and Peak Hill FM, Rebecca Sanders (Aboriginal Youth Worker) and Neighbourhood Central. If you have stories or memories that happened on Lindner Oval (or memories of Bill Lindner), please contact dan.fredericks@parkes.nsw.gov.au so that they can be shared. Alternatively you may leave comments on this page.
History Parkes 