New Cultural Centrepiece arrives at Leagues Club Field

Large timber poles decorated with traditional Aboriginal art have now been installed at Leagues Club Field, which are the first of many cultural elements included in the park’s transformation.

The poles – carved, scorched and painted by a local Darkinjung artists – are the result of a successful collaboration between the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation, landscape designer Turf Designs and the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council to create truly special and unique elements for Leagues Club Field.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said Leagues Club Field had been designed with a common goal of sharing and celebrating local stories of the Central Coast’s heritage and Aboriginal culture.

“I am delighted the NSW Government is transforming Leagues Club Field from an empty space to a $10 million park featuring picnic areas, play equipment, a sporting field, pathways and a tidal pool,” Mr Crouch said

The poles represent the Aboriginal Peoples of the Central Coast and will surround Leagues Club Field’s cultural centrepiece – a circular community gathering space based on a traditional dancing ground.

“Local Darkinjung artist Gavi Duncan has done a fantastic job painting the colourful designs on the timber poles which represent land, water, universe, people, kinship and learning,” Mr Crouch said.

“Students from Chertsey Primary School in Springfield were also able to make a permanent mark on the site, with their handprints stenciled onto the 11-metre poles.”

The Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation is delivering the $10 million Leagues Club Field project, which is expected to be finished in late 2020.

In the coming weeks, hundreds of plants and trees will be planted, carving of the sandstone animal islands will begin, and barbecues and picnic amenities will be installed.