This article is part of our local series, where we highlight local venues, parks and attractions near our clinics. Learn more about Marrickville by clicking here.
Located in Marrickville, Henson Park is a multipurpose sporting centre that was created on the site of former brickworks. And the park is an attractive and historically important feature of the site. Henson Park is home to the Newtown Rugby League Football Club, also known as “The Newtown Jets.” Occasionally, Henson Park also hosts AFL matches. The park is also well-suited for families and never gets seriously crowded, making it a great picnic spot.
History of Henson Park Henson Park was opened in 1937; before then, it was the site of a brick pit. The closure of the brick pit left a huge water hole which became a serious danger. The Marrickville Council bought the site in 1923, did a minor renovation, and used it as relief work for several people during The Great Depression. Henson Park was officially opened in 1933. In 1938, it became the principal cycling venue for the British Empire Games, the forerunner to today’s Commonwealth Games. During the British Empire Games, the gatherings repeatedly exceeded 40,000. During the late 1970s, the velodrome surrounding the playing ground was removed and replaced with grass running track and used for local school games festivals. The multipurpose sporting centre looks quite the same as it has since opening and has been home to the Newtown Jets. The Newtown Rugby League Football Club played in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL), a forerunner to the National Rugby League (NRL) until 1983, until the team stopped going to the competition due to financial reasons. Today, Henson Park is still the home ground of the Newtown Jets, who participate in the New South Wales Rugby League during the winter season. And during the summer, Henson Park serves as the home ground to Canterbury-Marrickville Olympic Soccer Club that participates in the NSW state Supper league. Notable Spots Surrounding the Henson Park The King George V Memorial Grandstand is on the western side of the park – this has about 1000 seating capacity. Also, from the north-west to the south-east side of Henson Park, you will see a massive grass hill, which is one of the biggest hills in Sydney. A bitumen bank where you can park your car is also located in the south-east to the western part of the ground. Recent Upgrade of Henson Park In 2019, the Shorten Labor Government invested about $5 million to renovate the park, transforming it into a sporting centre that would also host major Australian Football League matches. Moreover, with the aim to increase female participation in sport, the Henson Park upgrade includes the building of the female change rooms, making the park fit to host Greater Western Sydney women’s AFLW team and the Cronulla Sharks National Rugby League women’s team. The Henson Park renovation will also allow it to be used to host ALF matches and junior rugby league. In addition, it will be used as a coaching clinic facility for teams across Sydney’s Inner West. The upgrade to the Henson Park is an all-round winner for women's participation in sport, major football codes, and the Inner West community.
This article is part of our local series, where we highlight local venues, parks and attractions near our clinics. Learn more about Marrickville by clicking here.
All You Need to Know Before Visiting The Enmore Theatre
Located on the historic King Street, Enmore Theatre is undeniably one of Sydney's most beautiful theatres. The theatre is the longest running live theatre in Sydney. The theatre plays host to live music performances, film festivals, comedy shows, and so much more. It is a popular destination for both the locals and visitors that want to rock the night away as many of the work biggest comedians and indie acts to book in here when they are on tour.
One of the most distinct aspects of the Enmore Theatre is its unique art deco, which has earned it a place on the Historic Buildings Register. And this has made the theatre a great social significance for the Enmore community. While the prestige and size of the Enmore Theatre are strong enough to attract big acts, the performance space remains intimate and cozy. The combination of an immense front-of-house system and the theatre’s traditional acoustics also results in exceptional sound, which makes the theatre one of Sydney's premier live venues. Enmore Theatre has its own bar, and the surrounding streets offer a great-value pub a-plenty and eateries to fuel up in before or after a show. On the scale of things, the Enmore Theatre is a medium-sized venue, with a capacity of up to 2500 guests and 1630 seated. History of Enmore Theatre Enmore Theatre was built in 1908 and opened to the public in 1912 as a photoplay theatre. The theatre was later bought by the Szarka Brothers and underwent a major renovation, which included private boxes as well as comfortable seating and an open view of the screen and the stage. In 1936, the theatre was sold to Hoyts, who made more restorations. During the 30s and 40s, the Newtown area was cluttered with at least eight theatres, but during the 60s, there was a decline in attendances, which caused a lot of the theatres to close. In 1967, the theatre was sold to the Louis Film Company who used it to screen films. And during the 90s, the theatre also undergoes more restorations and renovations to become less of a cinema and more of a theatre catering for live performances such as music concerts, drama, and comedy acts. Over the years, major names have performed at Enmore Theatre, which include The Rolling Stones, KISS, Coldplay, and Kylie Minogue. Enmore Theatre Events in 2021 2021 might be a great year for local artists, due to the restricted travel around the world. Enmore Theatre is reopening with a surprise new facelift and the theatre relaunch promises a fresh experience for everyone. The owners decided to use the lockdown period to bring forward a planned refurbishment of the theatre. The theatre is poised to host some huge local acts, and you should also be on the look-out for a host of international artists when they have the chance to come to Australia. Enmore Theatre is a mainstay for both local and international performers and will be a significant part of the return to unrestricted nightlife and full capacity concerts. |
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April 2024
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