General News
28 January, 2026
Gift track starts to take shape
WITH the Stawell Gift just 10 weeks away, Central Park curator Kevin Rickard has begun preparations, with the iconic oval already looking in excellent condition. Mr Rickard, who works for the Northern Grampians Shire Council, maintains all ovals in Stawell, has been the curator for the past decade after taking over from former superintendent John Hunt. Mr Rickard said preparations intensify about 10 weeks-out from the Gift, with a detailed and methodical process beginning.
“We start by marking out the Gift track, which is then surveyed by the engineering department at the shire,” Mr Rickard said.
“We plot it out, put the lines in, mark it, and then cut the grass to the height we want.
“Line marking will begin around the long weekend in March.”
Mr Rickard said much of the focus is on ongoing maintenance, including irrigation, turf management, fertilising and weed control.
“We normally start cutting the grass about four weeks out from the Gift, and it’s a gradual process,” he said.
“We start with the surface at around 12 to 15 millimetres and gradually bring it down to the required height of six to 10 millimetres, then maintain it at that level.
“We don’t want it too soft, so we roll the track and make sure it’s looked after properly.”
In the month leading up to the Gift, Mr Rickard said he typically spends around 20 hours a week at Central Park, increasing to about 40 hours a week in the final fortnight.
Mr Rickard described the role as both demanding and rewarding.
“It’s an honour, a challenge and a privilege to look after the oval and prepare it for such an iconic event,” he said.
“It’s on national television, broadcast worldwide, and it’s so well known. To showcase it not only to the world, but also to visitors, is really special.
“I’m a born-and-bred local and I love what I do. It’s a real honour.”
Read More: Stawell