Summary
Seven cast iron mounts collected by Whelan the Wrecker from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, also known as the MCG and "The G" . According to the curator at the Melbourne Cricket Club, these mounts came from the Grey Smith Stand, which was demolished by Whelan's in 1966. The stand was built in 1906, at a cost of 15,700 pounds, and seated 2084 people. It was replaced by the Western Stand, which was later renamed the Ponsford. The Grey Smith Stand was named after Francis Grey Smith, who was President of the Melbourne Cricket Club from 1884 to 1900. He was also Chief Manager of the National Bank of Australasia (a forerunner of the National Australia Bank, one of the 'big four' Australian banks in 2008) between 1872 and 1900.
The mounts are painted green, and two are broken at the top. They all have three holes cast in the base, to allow them to be fastened to the floor of the stand. There are thirteen holes cast in each seat support, to allow wooden slats (13 of them), to be fixed to the mounts. No wooden slats have been collected. The mount is curved back to support the back of the spectator.
Through their connection to Grey Smith, these mounts are related to another item in the Whelan collection, the Francis Grey Smith Scholarship Honour Roll from Melbourne Grammar, SH 930890.
This item is part of a collection of artefacts, industrial signs and posters collected by the staff of Whelan the Wrecker as buildings were demolished. The historical collection was later donated to the museum by Myles Whelan, after the long running demolition firm closed down.
Physical Description
Seven cast iron mounts (two broken at top), painted green, collected by Whelan the Wrecker from the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The mounts have three holes cast in the base, to allow them to be fastened to the floor of the stand at The MCG. There are thirteen holes cast in each seat support, to allow wooden slats (13 of them), to be nailed to the mounts. No wooden slats have been collected. The mount is curved back to support the back of the spectator.
More Information
-
Collection Names
-
Collecting Areas
-
Acquisition Information
Donation from Mr Myles Whelan, 23 Jun 1992
-
In Memory Of
Francis Grey Smith - National Bank of Australasia, 1906
These seat mounts were installed in the Grey Smith Stand, named for Francis Grey Smith, who was President of the Melbourne Cricket Club from 1884 to his death in 1900. -
Place & Date Used
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1906-1966
-
Collector
-
Classification
-
Category
-
Discipline
-
Type of item
-
overall dimensions
500 cm (Length), 130 cm (Width), 780 cm (Height)
-
Exhibition Collection Management
480 mm (Length), 40 mm (Width), 850 mm (Height)
dimensions are for largest piece - group of 7
-
Dimensions
9 cm (Length), 49 cm (Width), 79 cm (Height)
Measurement From Conservation.
-
References
[Link 1] For further details of the stands and named rooms at the Melbourne Cricket Ground see <[Link 2]> (accessed 19/5/2008)
-
Keywords
Cricket Grounds, Recreation, Sports Ovals, Sports Stadiums, Working Life
