We asked for your feedback on a combined proposal from the Warringah Cricket Club, Manly Warringah Wolves AFL Club and Manly Bombers Junior AFL Club to recognise the late Mr Bruce Loudon and Mr Harry Marston by naming the grandstand at Weldon Oval, the Loudon Marston Grandstand.

A report outlining the outcomes from engagement was presented to Council at its meeting on Tuesday 27 February 2024, and the naming proposal was adopted.

• View the Council Minutes (Item 13.1, page 10).

Next steps

Interpretive signage will be installed at the grandstand in consultation with the clubs and the Marston and Loudon families.

We received a combined request from the Warringah Cricket Club, Manly Bombers Junior AFL Club and the Manly Warringah Wolves Australian Football Club to consider co-naming the spectator seating on the clubhouse building at Weldon Oval, John Fisher Park, the Loudon Marston Grandstand, in recognition of the contributions made by the late Mr Bruce Loudon to cricket and the Cricket Club and the contributions made by Mr Harry Marston to AFL and the AFL Club.

Weldon Oval is the home base for these clubs. Facilities include a representative-level oval for cricket and AFL and a building (the clubhouse) with outdoor tiered seating (the grandstand).

The clubs recognise Mr Loudon and Mr Marston as having been integral to the development of their respective sports and clubs, and the establishment of Weldon Oval as their home base and as a first-class sport facility for the Northern Beaches. They are described as exemplars of sportsmanship and our community’s volunteering spirit.

This naming proposal is consistent with Council’s Naming Our Reserves, Facilities and Roads Policy and does not require the approval of the Geographical Names Board of NSW (GNB).

Click on the tabs to find out more about Bruce Loudon and Harry Marston.

Mr Loudon was a founder of the Warringah Cricket Club, first president for three years, held the roles of secretary and committee member and was a player. He helped establish a team in the Metropolitan and Shire competition in 1980/1981 and became a life member in 1981.

The Bruce Loudon Trophy for Club Person of the Year is named after him. He also contributed years of service to other groups including the South Curl Curl Surf Life Saving Club and the Freshwater Uniting Church. In 2021 he received an Outstanding Community Service Award from Council for his voluntary contribution to local organisations and charities over 40 years.

We exhibited the naming proposal between Friday 3 November and Sunday 3 December 2023 and received 49 responses - thank you to all who provided feedback.

Feedback expressed a high level of support for the proposed naming (94%). Many respondents commented it was a fitting tribute to the contributions of Mr Loudon and Mr Marston to their respective sports, and the establishment of Weldon Oval as a premier sporting facility on the Northern Beaches. Further details, including all verbatim comments (with personal information redacted), can be found in the Community Engagement Report.