Walhalla Cricket Ground

It is claimed that the half-hour climb up the hill to reach the ground, in conjunction with the long trip to Walhalla itself, ensured a home advantage.

Since large-scale mining stopped in 1910, the ground has largely been a tourist destination and curiosity, though it remained the site of occasional social cricket matches.

In January 1870, following an encouraging series of successes against teams such as Sale, Toongabbie and Tanjil, it was decided to officially form a Cricket Club in Walhalla.

Mt William Gairdner, a prominent mining manager, was elected the first President of the club - which was referred to as the "Walhalla Eleven."

Among the first actions of this group was the petitioning of the Victorian Government to permanently reserve the land that they had selected and to circulate and raise subscriptions for the further clearing of the area which today forms Walhalla's unique cricket ground.