Anthony Beale Reserve (St Helena)

Anthony Beale Reserve is a 10.12 hectare reserve located next to historic St Katherine's Church in St. Helena, and provides views due to its elevation. The reserve comprises two sport ovals, a simple playground on the north side, the Anthony Beale Reserve Play Space on the east side and remnant bushland. The 3.36 hectare bushland has yellow and red box eucalypts and many wildflowers.

Activities in the park include walking/bike trails, playgrounds, sport and wildlife observation.

History

In 1841, Anthony Beale built a home near the Plenty River that he named St Helena after his birthplace: the island of Saint Helena. His wife, Katherine, died at the estate in 1856. Beale built a small private chapel in her memory from bricks made on site. Beale died in 1865, and is buried with his wife in the adjoining church cemetery. The chapel was later turned into a parish church by Beale's son-in-law. Artist Walter Withers of the Heidelberg School is also buried there.

Flora and Fauna

The reserve includes a small area of remnant grassy dry forest/box stringybark woodland, considered endangered. Many indigenous wildflowers grow here, including greenhood orchids, chocolate lilies and bulbine lilies.

The reserve is a refuge for wildlife, and is part of the Greenhills Bushland Complex with nearby Brown's Reserve and Settlers Park. Large eucalypts are home to rainbow lorikeets and sugar gliders.