Berryman Park, Trundle
Sign for Berryman Park, Trundle. Photograph by Sandie Ward (Parkes Shire Library) taken on March 11, 2016
Map of Trundle, highlighting its location compared to other places in the Central West of NSW. Source: MyTrundle website
In our continuing series looking at the stories behind the names of the sporting fields and parks in the Parkes Shire, historyparkes.org puts the spotlight on Berryman Park in Trundle. Named after not one, but two hardworking stalwarts of the community – William “Bill” Berryman and his father Richard John Oliver “Oliver” Berryman – Berryman Park (or Berryman Oval as it is sometimes called) is the venue for Trundle’s sporting and cultural activities. Both father and son were farmers – which would be enough to earn them the title of hardworking citizen – however they were both community-minded members of Trundle, and Berryman Park is a fitting tribute to two more inspiring Parkes Shire residents.
Epicentre of Trundle Sport
Home of the Trundler Boomers Rugby League team and the Trundle Cricket Club, Berryman Park is the epicentre for all sporting pursuits in Trundle, with Trundle Swimming Pool sharing part of the land. Trundle Boomers play in the Woodbridge Cup competition of Country Rugby League. While not having tasted victory (yet!) in the senior competition, Trundle were runners-up in 2015 to Binalong Brahmans. Trundle narrowly lost 30-28 and will be hoping to go one better in 2016. Trundle Cricket Club has experienced more success on their home oval that some refer to as ‘the duck pond’!
Berryman Oval the centre of Trundle both in a geographic and sporting sense. Source: Landscape Master Plan for Berryman Oval Reserve (Trundle) Parkes Shire Council 2014
Richard John Oliver Berryman
Richard John Oliver Berryman (known as Oliver or RJO) was born in Narromine in 1897. In 1912 his family came to live at “Aviemoor” in Trundle and he lived in the district until his death in 1972 (Watts & Wright, 1987 p269). At age 21 he enlisted in the army during the First World War (one of the 149 men from Trundle area to enlist between 1914 and 1918). Berryman was a gunner with the 6th Field Artillery Brigade and sailed from Sydney on board RMS Orontes. Fortunately he was one of the few who returned home. While sport was played on this recreation ground since 1908, it was in need of major improvements. In order to achieve this, a meeting was arranged with Goobang Shire Council for March 3rd 1952 and a decision reached to form the Trundle Sports Council. The aim of this body was to…
administer the Recreation Ground, work towards the improvement of its facilities and thereby promote sporting activities in the town. Source: Watts, Janice P. & Wright, Chas F. (1987) The Story of Trundle: A Country Town and Its People Trundle: Ian Berry & Judith Curr, page 268
Oliver Berryman was the inaugural president of the Trundle Sports Council. It was due to his hard work and vision to establish the Sports Council, in addition to his tireless efforts once president of the Trundle Sports Council, that Goobang Shire Council decided to name the recreation reserve Berryman Park.
Goobang Shire Council resolved to name the recreation reserve Berryman Park after the hardworking and community-minded Berryman family. Oliver Berryman was a tireless worker for the community and his son, Bill, followed in his footsteps. Source: Goobang Shire Council, Meeting Minutes 16th June 1953, Number 664/53
Trundle Sports Council announces that recreation ground will be called Berryman Park. Also Trundle Cricket Club wins the Grinsted Cup. Source: The Trundle Star Friday March 5, 1954
The Berryman family on ANZAC Day on Forbes Street, Trundle circa 1930s. Source: Dianne Chiofalo personal photograph collection
The Queen’s Coronation celebrations in Trundle were celebrated with a “monster” day of sports which was organised by the Trundle Sports Council. At the time RJO Berryman was Sports Council president. (The Trundle Star Friday, June 5, 1953 page 1) NOTE: The results of the day are listed on the front page of The Trundle Star but the quality has deteriorated over time. To be able to view the report and results clearly click here) This event was a fundraiser to enable improvements to be made to the Park.
Advertisement for the Trundle Sports Council fundraiser Coronation Sports Carnival. Source: The Trundle Star Friday May 29, 1953
While Oliver was President, the Trundle Sports Council achieved the following:
- Coronation Day Sports Carnival fundraiser;
- complete the fencing of the Park in 1955 (Parkes and Gobondery Streets);
- erect a light in the Park;
- construct a new cricket pitch on the oval in 1958;
- erecting a piping fence around the oval;
- commenced building new dressing sheds;
- building of a kiosk;
- building of toilets;
- planting new trees; and
- connecting water from local supply dam as opposed to relying on the town water supply (this was often unavailable during dry periods)
Source: Watts, Janice P. & Wright, Chas F. (1987) The Story of Trundle: A Country Town and Its People Trundle: Ian Berry & Judith Curr, page 269
Newspaper report on the improvements that Trundle Sports Council had planned and implemented. Oliver Berryman was president during this time. Source: The Trundle Star Friday April 9 1954
Mabel and Oliver Berryman, Bill Nash, Val Berryman, June Berryman and Bill Berryman. Source: Dianne Chiafalo personal photograph collection
In addition to his work on the Trundle Sports Council, Oliver Berryman was also instrumental in establishing the Trundle RSL Sub Branch. He was one of the many returned servicemen present at the second meeting on 31st May 1919 where officers were elected. Berryman himself was Treasurer from 1931-1934 (Source: My Trundle website)
Several articles paying tribute to the late Oliver Berryman and his work for the community. Source: Trundle Tullamore Star Wednesday June 14, 1972 page 5
William Trevor Berryman
Bill and John Berryman playing cricket mid 30s. Source: Dianne Chiafalo personal photograph collection
The third child and second son of Oliver and Mabel Berryman, Bill, excelled at cricket and rugby league in his youth. According to his eldest daughter’s eulogy, Bill was school captain in his final year at Trundle Central School and afterwards was training to be an industrial chemist. Unforunately Bill’s older brother, John, died at the age of 21 due to side effects of leukaemia. This brought Bill back to Trundle and to a life of farming.
The Berryman family December 1934 practising cricket. Source: Dianne Chiafalo personal photograph collection.
Bill Berryman was captain of the Trundle Combined Colts cricket team. Source: The Trundle Star Friday, January 27, 1950
The My Trundle website has published the eulogy delivered by Bill’s eldest daughter, Dianne Chiofalo. In this moving and revealing piece, it is reported that Bill and his father were very close, talking on the telephone for up to 2 hours discussing farming and other matters. The eulogy also reveals how community-minded Bill Berryman was, continually promoting the area he lived in by his friendly demeanour, generosity and hospitality. Bill was a good sportsman, known for his cricketing prowess and played for the Trundle Colts while also representing Trundle District XI.
Trundle Colts win the Ensign Cup. Bill Berryman was one of the stars with the bat. Source: The Trundle Star Friday 9, 1954
Berryman Park today
Berryman Park today is still the sporting hub of Trundle. The Trundle Boomers play their home games and receive tremendous support from the home fans. It is hoped that 2016 will be the year that Trundle finally win the Woodbridge Cup after finishing runners-up to Binalong Brahmans in the 2015 grand final. However Berryman Park has also been the venue for significant cultural events, with Trundle’s Australia Day celebrations held there for many years. In 2016, Trundle’s ABBA Festival (Australia’s first ABBA festival) will move to Berryman Park, ensuring that the local facility is enjoyed by an even wider audience.
Logo of the Trundle Boomers Rugby League club who play at Berryman Park. Source: Foxsportspulse website
Berryman Park, home of the Trundle Boomers. Photograph by Sandie Ward (Parkes Shire Library) taken on March 11th 2016
Sign welcoming visitors to Trundle. Source: Parkes NSW website
Parkes Shire Council is ensuring that Berryman Park receives the improvements required to continue to entice residents and visitors to enjoy Berryman Park. Source: Parkes Champion Post Friday, March 4, 2016 page 8
Berryman Park is the venue for Trundle’s Australia Day celebrations. Source: Parkes Champion Post Friday, January 29, 2016 page 21
From 2016 Berryman Park will host Trundle’s ABBA Festival – a highlight on the social calendar in the Parkes Shire! Source: Parkes Champion Post Friday, January 29, 2016 page 22
Berryman Park witnesses history this season! Trundle Boomers are writing a new chapter of their history! Source: Parkes Champion Post 24 August 2016
The Trundle Boomers are having an amazing season. ParkesHistory wishes them every success as they continue to add to their history! Source: Parkes Champion Post
Two major infrastructure projects were showcased in Trundle – a new amenities complex at Trundle Showground; and completed upgrades to Berryman Oval. Present for the ribbon cutting was the Hon. Rick Colless, Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW. Pictured in the photograph are (front row, left to right): Ben Howard (PSC), Peter Kelly (Trundle Progress Association), Cr Barbara Newton, Rick Colless MLC, Kate Hazelton (Nationals Candidate for Orange), Cr Ken Keith OAM, Andrew Rawsthorne (Trundle Progress Association), Gus White (Felton Industries – one of the suppliers, they did the grandstand seating). Other people in the background include Trundle Central School Students, Trundle Boomers Rugby League Football Club, Council’s Presentation team, Trundle ABBA Festival. Photograph by Katrina Dwyer (Parkes Shire Council) taken on February 21, 2019.
Trundle Central School’s 2019 Captains – resplendent in their uniform – accompanying the honoured guests at the opening of Berryman Oval’s upgrades are (left to right): Hon. Rick Colless MLC, Harrison Williams (TCS School Captain), Kate Hazelton (Nationals Candidate for Orange), Monique Morgan (TCS School Captain), and Cr Ken Keith OAM. Photograph taken by Katrina Dwyer (Parkes Shire Council) on February 21, 2019.
A town that produces top quality sports stars now with amenities to match. Photograph by Katrina Dwyer (Parkes Shire Council) taken on February 21, 2019
A gorgeous day for cricket at Berryman Oval. Students from Trundle Central School showcase their cricketing talents alongside Cr Ken Keith OAM (a keen cricketer too). Photograph by Katrina Dwyer (Parkes Shire Council) taken on February 21, 2019)
Parkes Shire Library would like to thank the following people and organisations for their information and photographs that helped make this post possible:
- Andrew Rawsthorne – the unofficial “Mayor” of Trundle who does so much to promote Trundle;
- the My Trundle website;
- the Berryman family, in particular Dianne Chiofalo;
- and the staff of Parkes Shire Libraries, in particular Debbie Anderson.
If you have stories or memories that happened on Berryman Park (or memories of the Berryman family), please contact dan.fredericks@parkes.nsw.gov.au so that they can be shared. Alternatively you may leave comments on this page.
REFERENCE LIST
- Sandie Ward (March 11, 2016). Sign for Berryman Park, Trundle[Photograph]. Parkes Shire Library.
- Trundle: Where The Wattle Blooms [Map]. (n.d.). In My Trundle Website. Retrieved March 9, 2016, from http://www.mytrundle.com.au/index.php
- Trundle Layout[Photograph found in Parkes Shire Council, Parkes]. (2014). In Landscape Master Plan for Berryman Oval Reserve (Trundle). Parkes, NSW: Parkes Shire Council. (Originally photographed 2014)
- Watts, J. P., & Wright, C. F. (1987). The Story of Trundle: A Country Town and Its People. Trundle, N.S.W.: I. Berry and J. Curr.
-
McGrath, Nick. “Trundle Booms into History Books.” Parkes Champion-Post. N.p., 24 Aug. 2016. Web. 25 Aug. 2016.
- Katrina Dwyer (February 21, 2019). Spotlight Shines On Community Infrastructure Projects in Trundle[Photograph]. Parkes Shire Council, Parkes.
- Katrina Dwyer (February 21, 2019). School Captains and Honoured Guests in Trundle[Photograph]. Parkes Shire Council, Parkes.
- Katrina Dwyer (February 21, 2019). Berryman Oval’s New Amenities in Trundle[Photograph]. Parkes Shire Council, Parkes.
- Katrina Dwyer (February 21, 2019). Cricket on Berryman Oval[Photograph]. Parkes Shire Council, Parkes.
History Parkes 