John Creswell: Oval's grandstand/garden amid Adelaide salutes to many sport, business and community roles
John Creswell had his name given to a grandstand opened in 1923 at Adelaide Oval (top left, alongside the long western stands, during the Australia v. England "Bodyline" Test match in 1933), later replaced by the Bradman Stand. He also was remembered by the Creswell Garden (bottom left) outside the oval. Bottom middle: Creswell as player and secretary (middle row, third from right, No.8) with the South Park Australian rules football team in 1879. ** See full caption of team members below.
Images courtesy State Library of South Australia
John Creswell, described as the “busiest man in Adelaide” for his many role in the 19th Century, became a household name” in South Australia as a sports administrator.
Born in 1858 at the Adelaide suburb of Woodville, son of pioneer merchant and shipping agent John Thomas Creswell and his wife Mary Ann, Creswell was educated at the Collegiate School of St Peter. At 16, he joined the office of F. S. C. Driffield, local manager of the National Fire and Marine Insurance Co. of New Zealand.
Creswell played for and was secretary of South Park Football Club in Adelaide in 1876-79. He also was a founder and early secretary of the South Australian Football Association (Australian rules) and represented South Australia in intercolonial matches. He played cricket for Norwood and was secretary of the Kensington and Norwood Cricketing Association in 1881-83.
A “fine shot”, Creswell was a poultry fancier and a bowls player, with his own private green. He was an authority on greyhounds and his dogs won many major coursing events. For 10 years from 1895, he managed the company that built and controlled the racing arena at Plympton. He was member of the South Australian Coursing Association that had meetings at Buckland Park and at least one of his dogs won the (South Australian) Waterloo Cup.
In 1883-1909, he was secretary of the South Australian Cricketing Association and, “by foresight, judgement and capacity”, greatly raised its status. This was recognised in 1892 when Creswell was elected as secretary to the first and controversial Australasian Cricket Council.
In 1889, Creswell succeeded Driffield as manager of the insurance company and became secretary of the chamber of commerce. He was South Australia’s representative on the English board of trade, and secretary to the vinegrowers' association, the Eastern and African Cool Storage Co. and the Farmers' Distress Fund. From 1892 until his death, Creswell served on his St Peter’s College’s board of governors and in 1900-09 was a vigorous president of its old collegians' association. In 1893, he stood for the Southern District seat in the South Australian Legislative Council but was beaten decisively by the incumbent J.H. Gordon.
Another high-profile position for Creswell from 1900 to 1910 was secretary of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia that he cleared from debt and increased the popularity of its autumn and spring shows. This was a salaried position at £400 per annum in 1902, with £165 as commission, although he had to pay for clerical assistance. He also was supplied with an office that he could use for other business.
Shortly after returning from one of his frequent trips to New Zealand, Creswell died of a stroke at Unley in 1909. He was memorialised in several ways:
* John Creswell Stand, opened in 1923 at Adelaide Oval. This was replaced in 1990 with the Sir Donald Bradman stand that was in turn demolished in 2012.
* Creswell Garden, originally Creswell Park, on King William Road, Adelaide city, next to Adelaide Oval. (Creswell Park, on Stephen Terrace, Gilberton, was named in honour of his son John, Walkerville District Council chairman 1938-43 and a councillor for 17 years.
* Creswell Cup, presented at Royal Adelaide shows, named by the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society.
* Creswell Trophy for wheat, also awarded at Adelaide shows.
* Creswell Cup for plumpton coursing at Adelaide’s Plympton, inaugurated in 1910 and continued until at least 1925.
* Creswell scholarship in commerce at Adelaide University.,
* Creswell memorial scholarship at Prince Alfred College, Adelaide.
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Information from John A. Daly, “Creswell, John (1858–1909)”, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University; and Wikipedia.
** South Park Football Club team in 1879, their third season in the South Australian Football Association (SAFA), precursor to the South Australian National Football League (SANFL). The team members pictured are – Back row: 1 E. Cotching, 4 A. Clarke, 7 F. Dobbs, 10 E.B. Colton, 14 Alwin Murr Pettinger (captain), 17 A.H. Dick, 21 C. Hall, 22 James Thornhill Darwent. Middle row: 2 G.E. Durant, 5 Morton Beach Ive (vice captain), 8 John Creswell (secretary), 11 John James Palmer, 15 R. Binney, 18 Jack Hall, 23 J.V. Smith Front row3 D. Harrold, 6 William James Dishley, 9 C. Godfrey, 12 Harry Ewer, 13 Fred Stacey, 16 A. Wilson, 19 Joseph Robert George Adams, 20 William Rousenvell, 24 F. Taylor. Part of their uniform included a striped hat and tall lace-up boots.