- Autumn 2026
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- History of Bulleen
History of Bulleen
1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s
The beginning
1979
Trinity’s new Headmaster, Don Marles, learnt of a substantial but neglected parcel of land in Bulleen for sale after overhearing a chance remark at an AGSV Headmasters’ dinner at Marcellin College. The land, formerly part of the large White’s Dairy, was owned by Graham White (OTG 1957) and his sister Ilona Caldow.
Trinity’s new Headmaster, Don Marles, learnt of a substantial parcel of land in Bulleen for sale after overhearing a chance remark at an AGSV Headmasters’ dinner.
16 June – A special Council Meeting resolved to submit an offer to purchase the land for a future sporting complex, subject to rezoning and planning approval from Doncaster and Templestowe Council.
3 August – Trinity’s new Headmaster, Don Marles, learnt of a substantial parcel of land in Bulleen for sale after overhearing a chance remark at an AGSV Headmasters’ dinner.
The planning team was assembled, including Les Clarke (Clarke Hopkins and Clarke Architects), Rayment and Associates Landscape Architects and Max Cooper (O’Connor & Beveridge).
Nineteen Eighties
1980
Led by Council Chair, Judge Gordon Just (OTG 1941), and the Bulleen Development Committee*, with legal support from Jack Just, the planning applications and permit negotiations commenced. Progress was extensively delayed by objections related to the site’s proximity to the Yarra River, requiring restoration of the historic billabong system and flood aligned design changes.
* The Bulleen Development Advisory Committee comprised Chris Hense, Peter Birrell, Murray Verso, Bruce Curl, Frank Brabon, Don Marles and Ross Worboys.
1981
With necessary approvals granted, site preparation and clearing began, alongside construction of roads, carparks and ovals, led by Standard Roads Group Pty Ltd to designs formulated by O’Connor & Beveridge.
1982
March – Construction of the ovals completed.
April – Every current student planted a tree. There were just four pre-existing trees on site.
The Dads’ Club held working bees to construct fences and other amenities
Purchased two adjacent residential blocks (35 Barak Street and 37 Barak Street).
Robert Charles Pty Ltd commenced construction of the Just Pavilion.
Merchant Builders commenced construction of an onsite Caretaker’s residence.
December – David Sanguinetti, Bulleen Grounds Manager, relocates to Bulleen.
1983
The first use of the fields took place on Saturday 26 March, when the under 14A Cricket team played a home match against Yarra Valley Grammar on the Hughes Field.
Sports field lighting to the Daley Oval is installed.
23 April – Construction of the Just Pavilion is completed.
30 April – The official opening of the Bulleen Playing Fields by Judge Gordon Just, Chair of School Council. The school hosted numerous visiting schools for hockey, football and cross country running. Throughout the morning, 36 matches were played with over 400 students taking part.
First bank of four tennis courts installed in the north-west corner of the site.
Soccer made its first appearance at Trinity.
1985
OTGAFC won the VAFA D Section Football Premiership.
1987
Second bank of four tennis courts installed to the north of the initial bank.
1989
Construction of the Daley Home Change Rooms was completed as an extension to the Just Pavilion, to the north.
Nineteen Nineties
1990
Trinity won the inaugural AGSV Hockey Premiership.
1992
OTGAFC won the VAFA B Section Football Premiership.
1994
OTGAFC won the VAFA B Section Football Premiership.
1995
AGSV Cricket Premiership (first since 1967).
1996
Bulleen Playing Fields renamed as the Marles Playing Fields in honour of former Headmaster, Don Marles, and his significant contribution to the school.
AGSV Cricket Premiership.
OTGAFC won the VAFA B Section Football Premiership.
1997
Construction of the Cohen Centre was completed creating an upper level to the pavilion, providing a social space with kitchen, function and bathroom amenities.
1998
AGSV Cricket Premiership.
1999
OTGFC won the VAFA B Section Football Premiership.
Millennium
2001
The synthetic hockey field was constructed on the former Price Oval, which had formerly been used for grass hockey and athletics. The surrounding space was reconfigured as the new Price Field and later used for soccer and touch football.
2003
Bulleen is impacted by a major flood.
2004
OTGASC First XI won the Victorian Provisional League Division Three South-East title.
2005
OTGACC First XI won the Cricket Premiership.
2006
Billabong Restoration Project commenced, rejuvenating the historic billabong located on the property, including the planting of native grasses and reeds to create havens for the birdlife.
Trinity hosts the Wales and Samoa Rugby Sevens teams who are in Melbourne training for the XVIIIth Commonwealth Games.
2007
AGSV Tennis Premiership, the school’s first win since 1968.
AGSV Cricket Premiership.
AGSV Hockey Premiership, the first three consecutive titles.
2008
Commencement of dam enlargement project, which brought the dam capacity to 33ML.
AGSV Hockey Premiership.
2009
AGSV Hockey Premiership.
Twenty Tens
2010
VSRU Rugby Premiership.
2011
AGSV Tennis Premiership.
2012
AGSV Football Premiership in 36 years, completing an undefeated season with victory in the grand final over Marcellin on the Daley Oval.
2013
AGSV Cricket Premiership.
2015 and 2016
AGSV Hockey Premierships
2018
David Sanguinetti, original Grounds Manager of Bulleen and Trinity’s longest- serving staff member, celebrates 50 years of service to Trinity Grammar.
Negotiations commence with the State Government for their occupation of a significant portion of the Fields to enable North East Link Project (NELP) construction.
AGSV Soccer Premiership.
2019
AGSV Hockey Premiership.
AGSV Cricket Premiership.
Twenty Twenties
2020
The State Government commences an occupation of 6.4 hectares of the western portion of the Fields, for up to 11 years, for the construction of NELP.
2021
AGSV Hockey Premiership.
Construction of the new Gerald Patterson Tennis Courts (8 courts) commences, at the north of the Just Pavilion.
Construction of a new archery field east of the Hudson Oval. The former archery field was adjacent to the original tennis courts at the Fields.
2022
Installation of new cricket nets (12 synthetic & 4 natural turf). The former cricket nets were in blocks at the north of the Daley and Hudson Ovals.
AGSV Hockey Premiership.
AGSV Cricket Premiership.
Construction of a new southern boundary access road with carparking.
Construction of new Caretaker’s residence.
2023
AGSV Hockey Premiership – Trinity’s 10th win since 1990.
Official opening of the new Gerald Patterson Tennis Courts by David Stogdale, grandson of Gerald Patterson MC (OTG 1912)
2024
Craig Field commemorative sign unveiling, named after Michael Craig (OTG 1948).
AGSV Tennis Premiership.
Trinity and Tottenham Hotspur Football Club announced a three-year football coaching partnership.
AGSV Cricket Premiership – Trinity’s 8th win since the opening of Bulleen.
2024
AGSV Soccer Premiership.
2025
Construction of new grounds facility.
OTGFC won the VAFA B Section Football Premiership.
Redevelopment of the pavilion officially commences. Thoughtfully redesigned to accommodate the needs of current and past students, families and visiting teams for generations to come, the new Pavilion will offer expanded spaces and enhanced functionality. The builder is 2Construct Pty Ltd, with completion scheduled for November 2026.
