On this weeks Yarra Bicycle Users Group program on 3CR, Chris interviews Kim Nguyen, a resident in Melbourne’s south-east about discovering a Noble Park velodrome with a big history.
Listen to the podcast:
Continue reading “Saving Melbourne’s cycling history: talking about Maurice Kirby Velodrome”
So who was Maurice (Maurie) Kirby? Read the Kirby’s family account below of the larger than life sporting legend and local resident of Noble Park.
“Angus Burrows came from Neerim South sometime before 1915 and established the bakehouse, along with two shops and residences in Leonard Avenue, Noble Park.
Mr. Burrows’ wife died and he remarried. His daughter, through a broken marriage could not support her young son, Maurice, and fostering was considered. The solution was for the grandparents to adopt him.
City of Greater Dandenong has put out plans to demolish the Historic Maurice Kirby Velodrome to make way for an additional soccer field.
The historic velodrome was built between 1954-1955 and named after Maurice Kirby, a Noble Park resident who founded the Pedal Clubs of Victoria which reached 50,000 members strong. He was also a well known sports commentator for 3XY radio and Channel 9 tv station.
This is the only velodrome remaining in the region and the City of Greater Dandenong have no plans to resurface, rebuild or replace the historic venue.
