Akoonah Park was orginally called the New Berwick Showgrounds and Recreation Reserve but in 1959 Cr CA Harris of the Shire of Berwick suggested the name be changed to Akoonah Park. Akoonah is an Aboriginal word for ‘running waters’ which are just beside the park in the form of the Cardinia Creek.
Terence O’Connor took up the Cardinia Creek lease in 1838 and grew barley on part of what is now Akoonah Park until 1840, making Akoonah Park the first land in the Berwick district to have been ploughed and cultivated.
Reference: Place Names of Berwick by Dr Debbie Stephan. Published 1994 by the City of Casey.
Akoonah Park is home to:
- Akoonah Park Men’s Shed
- Berwick & District Agricultural & Horticultural Society Inc.
- Berwick Pony Club
- Berwick Riding Club
Akoonah Park Centre
Akoonah Park Centre Opening Ceremony plaque transcription
The Akoonah Park Centre was constructed to / commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the / establishment of Akoonah Park as a / showground and recreation reserve.
This building was officially opened by / Marcel Fakhry, / 4th December 2005 / on behalf of the 2005 Committee of Management.
Jack Rae OAM (Chairman), Maurie Bashford, Marcel Fakhry, / Gordon Fyfe, / Ross Bradbury, Peter O’Hagan / Allan Furborough, / Tom Cantwell, Andrew Dedlefs / Cr Neil Lucas PSM, Gayle Joyce (Secretary)
Relay for Life plaque transcription
Cancer Council Victoria / Relay for Life
These are the bricks of / courage & inspiration / to celebrate survivors / & honour loved ones / lost to cancer.
Celebrate, / Remember, Fight Back!
Marty Alberni plaque transcription
The Akoonah Park Committee of Management / recognises the valuable contribution of / Marty Alberni / to the Akoonah Park Market / and broader community
Bills Trough transcription
Donated by / Annis & George Bills / Australia
Berwick Young Farmers Building
Opening Ceremony Plaque transcription
The Home of Berwick Young Farmers Club / 1956 – 1990
This building was built by / the Berwick Young Farmers and opened / by the Hon. Len Reid DFC MLA / 1968
Berwick Young Farmers Honour Board transcription
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Berwick Young Farmers Club |
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| President | Secretary | ||
| 1956 – 57 | A McCraw | R Frankenburg | |
| 1957 – 58 | A McCraw | J Barker | |
| 1958 – 59 | GW Forster | T Garside | |
| 1959 – 60 | GW Forster | J Lamb | |
| 1960 – 61 | T Hanmer | J Lamb | |
| 1961 – 62 | P Gibbs | D Triplett | |
| 1962 – 63 | R Douglass | D Triplett | |
| 1963 – 64 | N Cunningham | GJ Forster | |
| 1964 – 65 | J Richards | M Corrigan | |
| 1965 – 66 | J Pask | H French | |
| 1966 – 67 | L Corrigan | P Walsh | |
| 1967 – 68 | D Robinson | L Erdman | |
| 1968 – 69 | M Grigg | B Cornell | |
| 1969 – 70 | N Marriott | E Leach | |
| 1970 – 71 | K Clark | M Palmer | |
| 1971 – 72 | A Robinson | J Dobson | |
| 1972 – 73 | C Robins | D Templeton | |
| 1973 – 74 | M Schwennesen | L Kirkham | |
| 1974 – 75 | R Cornell | G Field | |
| 1975 – 76 | R Chudleigh | J Allen | |
| 1976 – 77 | J Doherty | N Rae | |
| 1977 – 78 | D Thomson | C Bashford | |
| 1978 – 79 | M Forsyth | L Kirkham | |
| 1979 – 80 | S Dearing | R York | |
| 1980 – 81 | P Macreadie | D De Bastiani | |
| 1981 – 82 | R Bertoncello | P Goldsmith | |
| 1982 – 83 | S Dorning | C Grant | |
| 1983 – 84 | K Mills | P Macreadie | |
| 1984 | J De Haan | L Norton | |
| 1984 – 86 | D Kortholt | 1985 – 86 | M Reeve |
| 1986 – 87 | J Stacey | M De Reus | |
| 1987 – 88 | R Dorning | M Forsyth | |
| 1988 – 89 | J Mowat / G Moore | B Fry | |
| 1989 – 90 | R Dorning | R Bedwell | |
Akoonah Park plaque transcription
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Akoonah Park |
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Committee Formed July 5, 1951 |
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| Chairman | JC Lloyd | Representing the Berwick A & H Society |
| Hon. Treasurer | GPH Wilson | |
| Hon. Secretary | NE Beaumont | |
| Members | A McNabb | Representing the Community |
| AG Poole | ||
| Cr CA Harris | Representing the Berwick Shire Council | |
| Cr CF Greaves | ||
GPH Wilson plaque transcription
The Berwick and District / Agricultural & Horticultural Society / gratefully acknowledges the / contribution to the community of / GPH Wilson CMG (1918 – 2003) / in obtaining this land in 1950 as a / showground & recreation reserve / 28 February, 2004
Ern Barker Equestrian Area
Ern Barker was a member of Autralia’s first Olympic equestrian team that competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics. Because Australia would not shorten its six month quarantine policy for the Olympic horses the International Olympic Committee moved the equestrian events to Stockholm, Sweden. The team left Melbourne in January 1955, to allow time to train and compete in the lead up to the games. Eventing consists of dressage, cross country and show jumping. Despite the fact that none of the riders in the Australian Eventing Team had any experience of dressage much less at competition level this team not only qualified but finished 4th, just short of a medal.
Ern Barker was a member of the Berwick & District Agricultural & Horticultural Society and the Akoonah Park Committee of Management. In addition to supporting equestrian activities in the former City of Berwick he was also supported the aims of the Mountain District Pony Club by sharing his time and expertise for 20 years. Ern Barker was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1976.
Gordon Fyfe Cattle Judging Ring
Gordon Fyfe was a local cattle farmer and long serving member of the Akoonah Park Committee of Management. He was also a life member, past president and cattle committee member of the Berwick & District Agricultural & Horticultural Society. In addition to that, Gordon was a supporter of the Berwick/Upper Beaconsfield Red Cross, Scouts and served on the board of the Australian Primary Producers’ Union and the Victorian Farmers’ Federation.
Ref: Pakenham Gazette 8 May 2013.
Maurie Bashford BBQ and Childrens Playground
Maurice Bashford ended 44 years as Grounds Manager at Akoonah Park in April 2010. His contribution to Akoonah Park’s development over this time is recognised by the Maurie Bashord BBQ Area and Playground. A long time member of the Berwick & District Agricultural & Horticultural Society, president in 1967 and chairman of the cattle committee.
Maurie Bashford plaque transcription
The Maurie Bashford / BBQ and Childrens Playground
Akoonah Park Committee acknowledges / Maurie Bashford’s contribution / during his 44 years as a member of the APCM / 2010
Tony Rushton Memorial plaque
Transcription
This memorial stone was laid by / Akoonah Park Committee of Management / on 22 June 2008 / to commemorate the outstanding service / given by / Tony Rushton / to Akoonah Park / and the wider local community
Surveyed on: 18 Feb 2010 - 13 May 2013
Surveyed by: Fay, Steven and Lynne
Hello Julie,
Our volunteers only came back with one Bills trough. If there is another there, they missed it. Can we ask where you came upon this information?
Lynne
Hello. I am trying to locate and record Bills Horse Troughs which still exist. I love the story of George and Annis Bills. It is truly heart warming. We visited Akoonah Park a month ago and found the trough under the great oak tree near A P Centre – a beautiful place.
I have just read some information dated 2015 stating there are TWO Bills troughs in Akoonah Park. Can you confirm this and give us a clue where to find the other trough.
I would be grateful if you could help.