By Staff Writers
First published in The Age on October 17, 1951
Federal Offer of Game Finance
Support for M.C.G. not Show Ground
The Commonwealth Government will consider financing the 1956 Olympic Games at Melbourne Cricket Ground, but not the show grounds.
Ron Clarke runs into the MCG with the Olympic Torch during the opening ceremony.Credit: Harry Martin
The Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) gave this decision in a letter received by the Premier (Mr. McDonald) yesterday.
Mr. Menzies said the Commonwealth was unable to provide funds for extensive alterations at the Royal Agricultural Society's show grounds.
It considered the present was not a suitable time to embark on such a project.
If the Melbourne Cricket Ground could be used as the main stadium for sporting events, and certain indoor sports held in existing buildings in and around Melbourne, then the Commonwealth would consider making finance available.
Mr. Menzies suggested the Commonwealth and State Governments and other interested bodies should discuss the expenditure necessary to alter the M.C.G. and the cycling track and the construction of an Olympic pool.
Mr. Menzies was replying to Mr. McDonald's application, dated May 24, for financial and other assistance to stage the games in Melbourne.
Mr. McDonald had set out the probable expenditure to be incurred in providing the necessary facilities and accommodation for the competitors.
A crowd of nearly 90,000 watches the Olympic 3,000 metres steeplechase at the M.C.G. on 27 November 1956. Credit: The Age Archives
Talks Suggested
The full text of Mr. Menzies' letter was:—
“I refer to your letter of May 24, forwarding a statement of the probable expenditure to be incurred in providing facilities and accommodation required for the running of the Olympic Games to be held in Melbourne in 1956, and seeking financial and other assistance from the Commonwealth Government in connection with this matter.
The Commonwealth Government has now given consideration to your representations and has decided that it cannot see its way clear to provide funds for extensive alterations at the R.A.S grounds to accommodate the 1956 Olympic Games, and does not consider that the present is a suitable time to embark on such a project.
“My Government also decided that, if arrangements can be made to use the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the main stadium for sporting events and certain indoor sports allocated to existing buildings in and around Melbourne, arrangements would be made for discussions to take place with a view to making a contribution to the necessary funds.
“These discussions could take place between the Commonwealth with the State Government and other interested bodies in relation to the necessary expenditure on alterations at the Melbourne cricket ground and the cycling track and the construction of an Olympic pool."
The marathon field at St Kilda Junction on day 9.Credit: The Age Archives
R.A.S. Offer
The president of the Royal Agricultural Society (Mr. C. N. McKay), at a meeting of the society's council yesterday, said:
IL was unfortunate that the Federal Government had decided not to finance the plan for holding the 1956 Olympic Games on the show grounds.
If the Government would give any help the Royal Agricultural Society was prepared to modify its plans.
“The A.O and this society have gone to considerable pains to produce a plan that is satisfactory to all, but we are prepared to change it,” Mr. McKay said.
The cost of holding the games had been variously estimated at from £1,500,000 to £5,000,000. The society’s estimate has been £4,000,000, but today that would be too low.
Extent of Help
It would be helpful if the Federal Government would state just to what extent it proposed to help Melbourne to stage the games.
The main thing was that wherever money was spent on staging the Olympia Games it should be for the enduring benefit of the State.
"Not Available"
However, last night the chairman of the M.C.G. Trustees (Sir Harry Lawson), said the M.C.G. would not be available to stage the Olympic Games.
The trustees were prepared to co-operate fully in staging any pageantry at the ground, but not to see the playing arena destroyed be levelling it to conform with Olympic standards he said.
A report submitted to the trustees by experts slated that the arena would be destroyed if levelled.
'Such a result would be a calamity," Sir. Harry Lawson said.
Reassurance
The Dean of the Faculty of Architecture in the University of Melbourne (Professor Brian Lewis), said:
'If a committee of professional men worked on the data available from the M.C.G. report, they would possibly be in a position to reassure the trustees that the alterations would be to the ultimate advantage of the cricket ground."
Regrading the sports arena would be difficult, but not impossible. The most obvious drawback was that It would put the M.C.G. out of commission for several months.