The Sir Donald Bradman Statue stands outside the Adelaide Oval as a tribute to the inspiring Australian sportsman. It’s clear that plans for a statue were suggested as early as 1949, an indication of the impact Donald Bradman had on the lives of the people of Adelaide.
I suggest that somebody start a shilling fund to provide a life-size statue at Adelaide Oval, so that future generations not fortunate enough to have seen the batting colossus will at least be able to see what he looked like (News, 10 January 1949)
Donald Bradman
Donald George Bradman was born on 27 August 1908 in Cootamundra NSW. He excelled in a variety of sports including cricket and golf which earned recognition early in his childhood by state and national selectors. Bradman began his Test cricket debut for Australia in 1928, already showing signs of a record-breaking career. A match on the Sydney Cricket Grounds in 1930 earned Bradman a world record for the highest score in first-class cricket at only twenty-one years of age. His outstanding performance launched his international career in the tour to England. Bradman married Jessie Menzies in 1932 and was appointed as Australian Captain for the test series against England in 1946. The late 1940s saw Bradman lead Australia to victory against India and England. He was knighted in 1949 for his contribution to the game, making him the only Australian cricketer to receive this honour. Bradman died on 25 February 2001.
Connection to Adelaide
Donald Bradman lived and worked for the majority of his life in Adelaide. His career in cricket witnessed many games at Adelaide oval. Many Adelaidians maintain that Adelaide was the city in which Bradman raised his family, enjoyed other sports including squash and golf and where he spent a lot of time working in his role as a cricket administrator. He was honoured with the opening of the Sir Donald Bradman Stand in 1990 and the Bradman Collection Museum in 2008 (later closed due to renovations of the oval and moved to State Library).
The Statue
The sculpture of Sir Donald Bradman stands on the Eastern side of Adelaide Oval near the Victor Richardson Gates. The $115 000 bronze statue authorised by the Adelaide City Council honours Bradman and his passion for the game. The statue was designed by Adelaide artist Robert Hannaford who depicts Bradman in a driving pose. It stands at approximately 2.5 metres tall and 1.5 metres in diameter, weighing around 450 kilograms. Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson and Lord Mayor Alfred Huang unveiled the statue on the anniversary of Bradman’s death, 25 February 2002. More than one hundred guests attended.
The sculpture stands as a tribute to a sporting hero who inspired many generations of Australians. Bradman remains as a national icon expected to inspire for the years to come.
