Whalan reserve used to be a race track man!
Named after James Whalan who, in 1821, received a grant of 300 Acres from Governor Macquarie. James was the son of Sgt Charles Whalan, who arrived as a convict. It is thought that the Whalan’s rank among the earliest pioneering families in the Colony.
Did you know that Whalan Reserve was formerly a 2 and 1/4 mile racing circuit used by the great Jack Brabham? The site was originally used by the RAAF as an airstrip but was abandoned after the war in favour of the Richmond base. In 1948, it was converted into a speed circuit. Over the next 5 years there were many meetings held at the track, some of which attracted crowds of over 15,000 people.