Back to search results
WWII Noonamah Cricket Pitch and Oval
2240 Stuart Hwy, Noonamah
General
Significance
Description
History
Gallery
Resources
More images...
Status
Permanent Declaration
Type
Place
Nominated
18/MAR/04
Nomination Accepted
16/SEP/05
Assessment Report Considered
09/MAR/07
Recommended
12/SEP/07
Signed By Minister
09/NOV/07
Gazetted
21/NOV/07
Statement Of Heritage Value
The cricket pitch was developed as one of a number of recreational venues in the area of the airfields and military camps south of Darwin near Firdan (Noonamah) in World War II, along with the convalescent centres at Berry Springs, Howard Springs and at other sites.
Constructed in late 1942 by a small working party of personnel of 27 Aust. Infantry Battalion, the site played an important role in maintaining both the fitness and morale of personnel serving in the area. Personnel of 27 Battalion were also involved in a number of construction projects in the area including the nearby Berry Springs rest camp - later 108 Convalescent Unit.
Recreational facilities such as the Strauss cricket pitch was also a means of expressing intra unit, inter unit and interservice rivalries and of making contributions to wartime fund raising organisations such as the Australian Comforts Fund, Red Cross, Salvation Army and others.
The cricket pitch at Strauss was an important part of the activities of service personnel serving in the area during the war years and in recent years has seen annual matches played between military and local teams each Anzac Day.
This continuity in use maintains the significance of the site as an important part of the Territorys wartime heritage.
Value
Historic
Description
Cleared section of land creating an oval with a concrete cricket pitch in its centre. Use for recreation purposes by the Armed Services during WWII.
Additional Information
Site Information