Pics from the Past | Shepparton’s playground history: Cartoon-themed rockers

By Geoff Allemand

Jul 26, 2024

Huckleberry Hound rocker at the lake in the 1970s. Source: Margaret Anderson. Photo by Margaret Anderson

Shepparton is blessed to have some great playgrounds and play areas, such as SPC KidsTown, the All-abilities Playground next to Aquamoves and the playground near the lake next to the S-cape Skate Park, which years ago was known as the John Pick Playground.

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Many of us would remember growing up with simple play areas such as swings, see-saws, monkey bars and maybe old vehicles/equipment to play on. There was no play-fall material (mulch), and many features had elements of challenge/danger. As kids, we had the freedom to be careful or not.

Shepparton had its own playground equipment manufacturer called Miracle Recreation Equipment (from the 1970s), and it was building play features and sending them all over Australia.

Keith Ward was the owner. He was a great help to me when I had the idea for KidsTown and produced many of its early play features. Here are a few photos of play rockers. Miracle built the cartoon character-themed rockers, officially known as ‘twin riders’, which were located at Shepparton Lake.

The rocker featuring the girls Myra and Maisie McLean was at their home. The girls’ parents owned a butcher shop in Maude St called McColl and McLean in the 1940s and ’50s. Myra married Murray Slee, who became a Shepparton councillor and mayor.