Almanac Life: The MCG – not just a sports ground

 

Not just a Sports Ground

 

Recently, I was talking to a friend about occupations. He told me that a professional had said to him, “You’re just a tradie.” My friend found this quite belittling and rightly so. I said that I would think there would be little respect from this fellow’s more astute colleagues.

 

How often have you talked to someone and they tell you about their occupation, in a self-deprecating way “I’m just a ….”? Do you pull them up and point out that you are not “just a ….”?

 

Without thinking we can either shoot people down, or they can do it to themselves.

 

Turns out my tradie friend is probably a lot more intelligent than the person who delivered that putdown statement.

 

Where am I going with this? It will all come together soon.

 

Recently I went with a group of people to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and we did the Walking Tour of the stadium. I have always marvelled at the magnificent stadium, but I learnt a lot more from our tour guide.

 

Some of the interesting facts that the guide alerted us to were the following:-

 

It was about 11:30 am when we started our tour. Half of the playing field was already in the shadows of the stands, but was bathed in ultraviolet lights, to promote growth of ground turf. And what an array of lights. So that is just one of the ways of how they keep the ground so green.

 

 

The playing surface being lovingly cared for

 

 

The MCG is not just a sporting ground. It is an entertainment complex hosting all sorts of events. The speed that the staff can turn the ground from one event to another is phenomenally fast. You could have an AFL match one day, and a music concert the next.

 

Historically, the MCG is situated in Yarra Park. Before white settlement, this was a meeting place for the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people beside the Birrarrung (Yarra River). It’s still a meeting place!

 

 

Early days for the MCG

 

 

I was under the impression that it was the biggest stadium in the world in relation to the number of spectators it can hold, but it isn’t. It’s the third biggest, but it hosts more events than the two bigger stadiums, giving the MCG the honour of being the largest drawcard for people through the turnstiles in the world. So to me that’s the Number One in the world.

 

Our host pointed out all the surrounding stadiums around the MCG. The Tennis Centre, AMMI stadium, the Glasshouse and the list goes on. No where in the world does a city boast such an array of facilities.

 

The guide also pointed out how close this complex was to the Melbourne CBD, with easy access to public transport. No other city can boast having this sort of venue so close to the city. This is something I had just taken for granted. Years ago I used to drive and park at Yarra Park. What madness. Just take the public transport.

 

Our tour guide spoke with a depth of knowledge and with extreme pride. He pointed out the cleanliness of the MCG. Up to 4000 people are employed during a big event at the MCG. These people are not just cleaners, security staff, or food vendors. They are caretakers of the spirit of the MCG. Yes, the ground certainly has a spirit about it.

 

Our host took us downstairs to the MCG Sports Museum, which has a heavy emphasis on the history of cricket. From the collection of early porcelain depicting the evolution of cricket, through to our beloved Shane Warne and our world class women’s cricket team, there is something to interest everyone.

 

 

Porcelain jar showing cricketers playing – this depiction shows only two stumps

 

 

Our guide for the tour is one of many guides who volunteer their time, because they are passionate about this hallowed ground. On the day we were doing our tour, there were numerous other volunteers imparting their depth of knowledge on groups of people interested in knowing more than just turning up for an event. Their volunteer work also endorses them as caretakers of the MCG, just like the paid employees who work there.

 

This brings me back to the start of this article. Our MCG Tour Guide was none other than that tradie, now retired, but giving up travel time (by train) and may volunteer for up to three tours in one day. He doesn’t do them every day. I cannot emphasise enough his knowledge, intellect and passion.

 

He is not just a tradie and the MCG is not just a sports ground.

 

 

Volunteer Tour Guide, Graeme Creighton from Colac, and a Staff Member of the MCG

 

 

All photos taken by Stan Kluzek

 

 

Read more from Stan Kluzek Here.

 

 

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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