The Stawell Gift is most famous for being Australia’s richest footrace, but there is another main attraction of the event that is often overlooked.
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The turf of Central Park on which the Gift is run is commonly accepted as one of the elite grounds in Australian athletics and it is by no mistake that this is the case.
Stawell Athletic Club committee member Robert Irvine said the preparation of the ground starts months in advance.
“After football season the winter grass is removed for the summer grass to come through,” he said.
“It is a fairly scientific process. The parks and garden crew do a great job.
“They cut and roll the grass to ensure it is firm and short.”
Irivine said he had no doubt Central Park has the “best grass track in the nation”.
“The great thing about our ground is that it can be used all year round and as soon as the Gift finishes it is ready for football,” he said. “It really does add to the amazing atmosphere of the Stawell Gift.”