Happy 162nd Birthday, MCG!

The Temple Down the Road, The Paddock that Grew, The ‘G or whatever name you use to refer to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, raise a glass at sometime today as one of the most recognisable sporting arenas in its present location turns 162 years old today.

Ever since Governor La Trobe granted the MCC permission to use Jolimont on September 23rd, 1853, The ‘G has evolved in many different ways over the years. and it’s been a wonderful thing to watch.

Almanacker Vin Maskell has this fantastic look at the different scoreboards the MCG has used over the years and you can check that out via THIS LINK to Vin’s Scoreboard Pressure website.

And there’s these fantastic images of the MCG from the State Library of Victoria’s image library, which we take great pleasure in sharing with you*.

Happy birthday MCG.

 

The Punt Rd end of the MCG, looking towards what is now the Olympic Stand. Image from the State Library of Victoria

The Punt Rd end of the MCG, looking towards what is now the Olympic Stand. Donated to SLV by Mr Paul McIntyre 1992. Image from the State Library of Victoria

 

 

The MCC Members Pavillion, circa 1878-1894, by J.W. Lindt. Photo from State Library of Victoria Collection.

The MCC Members Pavillion, circa 1878-1894, by J.W. Lindt. Photo from State Library of Victoria Collection.

 

The MCG from what's now the Ponsford Stand/City End, circa 1914-1916, by 'G.G.M'. State Library of Victoria Collection.

The MCG from what’s now the Ponsford Stand/City End, circa 1914-1916, by ‘G.G.M’. State Library of Victoria Image Collection.

 

The MCG circa 1925-1940, Charles Daniel Pratt. The State Library of Victoria image collection.

The MCG circa 1925-1940, Charles Daniel Pratt. The State Library of Victoria image collection.

 

"New Stand at the MCG" by Allen Kelso. 1954. State Library of Victoria Image Collection.

“New Stand at the MCG” by Allen Kelso. 1954. State Library of Victoria Image Collection.

 

 

 

 

*All images reproduced here are out of copyright. We gratefully acknowledge the original photographers where possible, and extend our thanks to the State Library of Victoria’s digital Image Collection.

 

 

 

 

Comments

  1. Great pics! I love the last one of the Southern Stand. Some great memories!

  2. Steve Hodder says

    Didn’t it looked like a footy ground in them olden days?

    I’d love to see some images of the old East Melb Cricket Ground, if they’re about.

    onya

  3. I remember the V-formation of the crowd behind each pillar in the Southern Stand.
    Nobody wanted their view of the ground (especially the goals) impeded, so if you were sitting back further than the pillar, a lot of the seats were undesirable.
    The V-formation of a big crowd was like a flock of starlings.

  4. Peter Fuller says

    Steve,
    The bottom pic is of the Olympic Stand. The “old” Southern stand opened in 1936 or ’37.

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