Alexandra Park Club’s outgoing chairman Jim Judd OAM with new chairman Bruce Pigdon OAM at the Yarrawonga Foreshore, an area that was reclaimed and redeveloped for community use by the club.
The Alexandra Park Club’s remarkable community legacy
What began as a bold idea among a handful of local businessmen in 1925 has grown into one of Yarrawonga’s most influential community benefactors.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
In 2025, Alexandra Park Club Ltd, originally known as the Grove Trustees, celebrated a century of reinvesting any profits from the trust back into the community, shaping the foreshore, parks, sporting facilities and community institutions that define the region.
Newly appointed chairman, Bruce Pigdon OAM, who has served the committee for more than 40 years, said the group remained committed to its founding purpose.
“For 100 years the Grove Trustees, and now Alexandra Park Club, have provided financial assistance to promote and assist the development and improvement of recreational areas and civic assets in the Yarrawonga–Mulwala district,” Mr Pigdon said.
“We also aim to support local organisations that build facilities and services that benefit local people.”
Mr Pigdon said the value of contributions made by the club would be anywhere between $12 to $15 million dollars into today’s dollar value.
“It’s a legacy we take very seriously for the benefit of the community,” Mr Pigdon said.
The group’s roots stretch back to 1883, when prominent locals banded together to improve Alexandra Park, colloquially called ‘the Grove’. The reserve would go on to include JC Lowe Oval, the Yarrawonga Holiday Park, the Yarrawonga Lawn Tennis Club and the town swimming pool complex.
In 1868, the Crown formally set aside the extensive riverfront area as public land for recreational use, a mission that the trustees have since honoured.
A theatre venture that transformed the town
The Grove Open Air Picture Theatre in Belmore Street, now Rotary Park and car park backing onto Hume Street.
The turning point came in 1925 when the trustees purchased a picture theatre company with money raised largely from leasing parkland for grazing.
Their vision was simple; use any profits to fund the development and maintenance of the Grove.
By 1929, the group hosted its first benefit night for the Yarrawonga Football Club, soon followed by proceeds gifted to the Returned Soldiers Association (RSL).
Picture nights moved across several venues, from the Atheneum to open-air screenings in Belmore Street, until the new Shire Hall opened in 1930 and with support from JC Lowe and long-serving secretary Don Forbes, the trustees acquired modern equipment to screen talking pictures, ushering in a new era for local cinema.
Secretary/manager of the Grove Pictures for 48 years Don C. Forbes stands in front of the sign highlighting the Trustee’s donations and projects out the front of the Open Air Theatre.
Turning profit into public spaces
Through the 1930s and beyond, the trustees embarked on an ambitious program of civic improvements.
They financed an open-air cinema on Belmore Street (now Rotary Park) and commissioned a master plan for Alexandra Park, down to the placement of every tree. Funds were also used for flood-damage repairs and construction of spectator seating around the oval.
In anticipation of Lake Mulwala’s creation, the trustees saved £5 per week to fund foreshore development and later contributed more than £6,500 toward clearing the lake-bed, a race against time before the weir filled.
They also purchased and donated key parcels of land for what would become today’s iconic foreshore precinct, financed retaining walls, amenities blocks, and even helped establish swimming facilities along the foreshore.
Over the decades the club’s major contributions have established or assisted the development of many important public spaces for the community.
Modern era, same mission
In the 1990s, the organisation formalised into Alexandra Park Club Ltd, appointing a board of directors and continuing its philanthropic tradition. Recent donations have been made possible through the profitable sale of land that was purchased in 1997 opposite Bunnings, strengthening the club’s ability to support community groups.
The club has also offered to help secure the former Yarrawonga Primary School site, aiming to preserve the land for ongoing civic use.
Mr Pigdon paid tribute to outgoing Chairman Jim Judd OAM, recognising his stewardship of Gorman Park, along with secretary Don Presley, whose administrative leadership has spanned decades.
“We are forever indebted for Jim Judd’s generous support and commitment over the last 15 years, particularly Gorman Park.
“In addition, I would like to thank Don Presley for his significant contribution as secretary of the club.
“Our mission is unchanged,” Mr Pigdon said.
“We will continue to uphold the vision of the original trustees, to make Yarrawonga and Mulwala an even better place to live.”
Some of Alexandra Park Club’s major contributions
Purchasing the land and establishing the Yarrawonga Foreshore for civic use.
Funding the establishment of a camping ground at the Grove.
Donating land for Hammon Park, now the picturesque northern gateway to Yarrawonga.
Assisting the transition a private Bush Nursing Hospital into the Yarrawonga District Hospital.
Supported the creation of an ambulance station.
One of their most significant legacy projects is Gorman Park which was purchased by the trustees in 1945. It is now a 120-acre riverside property and important nature and recreation reserve.
Assisted in establishing Rotary Park and the car park to Hume St after the picture theatre close in 1964.
Provided 20 acres land to assist the growth of the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort expansion in 1994.
Funding extensive tree planting across Yarrawonga.
Supporting improvements at the Mulwala Recreation Reserve.
Financing upgrades for the tennis courts and club house, Shire Hall, the town clock chimes, and the Athletic Park.
Acting as guarantor for major Shire loans used for park development.
