Operations and Maintenance of Womens Memorial Playing Fields

⁠⁠⁠The concept of Womens Memorial Playing Fields emanated from the concern of sporting women for the lack of playing areas and the South Australian Womens Amateur Sports Council was formed in 1953. The then Premier, the Hon Tom Playford set aside 20 acres of reserve land on the corner of Shepherds Hill Road and Ayliffes Road, St Mary’s for a Centre for women’s sport.

In 1956 to honour those who had paid the supreme sacrifice, a memorial drinking fountain was erected, and the grounds as a whole were dedicated to the South Australia Service women who served in World Wars I and II by the Reverend Leslie Gunn.

A Bangka Day Memorial service/ceremony, remembering the nurses and other women in the services, is held annually, in February.

The Womens Memorial Playing Fields (WMPF), St Marys is in the ownership of the Minster Recreation Sport and Racing (MRSR). The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing (ORSR) manages the site on the Ministers behalf.

In 2016 a Needs Analysis and Options study was commissioned by ORSR to guide the future development of the Womens Memorial Playing Fields.

The purpose of the planning was to determine the appropriate future use and development of the Womens Memorial Playing Fields based on a sound analysis of demand and the site opportunities.

The report outlined key findings of the planning and provides a framework for consulting on options for the Womens Memorial Playing Fields and has assisted in securing a budget allocation for a site upgrade.