Woodward Park

Returning to Australia in May 1919, Oliver Holmes Woodward, Military Medal with Two Bars went to the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Co. before taking up an appointment at Port Pirie, South Australia as a General Metallurgist with Broken Hill Associated Smelters (BHAS) in January 1920. Soon afterwards he became Plant Superintendent at Port Pirie and in 1926 he was promoted to General Superintendent of the site. Over the nine years he held this position there was extensive rebuilding to accommodate metallurgical developments such as the continuous process for refining lead bullion. There was also a steady improvement in living and working conditions for employees.

¹In May 1933, Woodward established behind his home on The Terrace, a small jersey herd of 3 cows and a young bull on six acres of land registering it as “Marana Jersey Stud”. His intention to breed from this distinguished strain of cattle was the result of an intensive study of the dairy industry and a hobby. The six acres of land would later become Woodward Park.

Woodward expressed a wish that the land, which was owned by the BHAS, should be converted into an attractive park for Port Pirie residents and he presented his plan to people. In July 1935, construction began in his honour. A few years earlier Woodward had put down a fine cement cricket pitch in the centre of the paddock where many ‘A’ Grade association matches were played on it when Memorial Oval was not available.

Woodward Park Gates

²Initially the beautification project consisted of 220 plantings including 80 Needle pines, 70 Carobs and 70 Kurrajongs which were all irrigated and protected by wire netting and hessian guards. Later Jacarandas, Arizona pines, Norfolk Island pines, Red Gum, Wattle, Silky Oaks, Moreton Bag Figs, and Green and Golden Privet were added bringing the total to about 400 trees and shrubs of 40 varieties. Mr. W. Cousins, the curator under the employ of the BHAS was responsible for nurturing the park and gardens and done an admirable job. The outer field was grassed and a sports track was established around the outside. Lighting, children’s play equipment, a tennis court, plant nursery and shelter house were added later. This beautiful space has been home to many picnics, gala events, food fairs, concerts, carnivals, baby shows, boxing events, soccer matches and garden parties.  

At various stages during his 15 years in Port Pirie, Woodward was a member of the Port Pirie Hospital Board, Mothers and Babies Health Association, BHAS Amateur Swimming Club, the President of the Broken Hill Associated Smelters Bowling Club, Patron for the BHAS Excelsior Band, Golfer, Cricketer and a widely respected man. The Pirie West Pigeon Society also named a trophy after him.

In the 1956 New Year’s Honours List, Woodward was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for "services to Mining and Metallurgy in the Commonwealth of Australia. Survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons, he died in Hobart, Tasmania on the 24^th August 1966 and was cremated.

Sources:

¹https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/96026674

²https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/96029299