After 49 years in an unpaid role, the task of maintaining the oval at Mount Burr has just got slightly easier for honorary groundsman Peter Henderson.


A newly-installed system of underground pipes and pop-up sprinklers ensures the grass will be green year-round.


The oasis is regarded as invaluable and it is an official last resort refuge in times of bushfire.


The oval certainly proved its worth during the Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983 when the Mount Burr township was under threat and the townsfolk gathered on its grass.


The days of dragging hoses and sprinklers across the oval are now over but much still needs to be done by the knock-about bloke known to all as “Hendo”.


The grass still needs to be regularly cut by a tractor-pulled industrial mower while a hand mower is needed to finish off the job around the oval perimeter fence posts and sponsor signs.


Furthermore, Hendo paints the boundary line, centre circle and square during winter for football matches.


Not content with that, Hendo and his wife Lyn have planted and maintained numerous garden beds around “Mick” and Jean Walker Oval.


At the end of a day’s hard yakka, Hendo can often be found perched on a seat on Can Hill.


With a can of a favourite beverage in hand, Hendo will admire his handiwork and take pleasure in presenting one of the most picturesque sporting venues in regional South Australia.


His association with the oval dates back to 1976 when he was employed at the nearby Mount Burr sawmill.


At the time, it was still owned by the Woods and Forests Department which was a State Government agency.


“I would come across to the oval on Friday afternoons and cut the grass when I had knocked off from work,” he said.


With a grin, Hendo concedes there was more than one occasion when he cut the grass in the boss’s time.


Another link between the mill and the oval came over 30 years ago and it involved late senior staffer and Mount Burr sporting stalwart Noel Seebohm.


“The mill had an old Fiat tractor but it could not be used as new safety standards came in,” Hendo said.


“It did not have a roll cage and it breached Occupational Safety and Welfare laws.


“Noel Seebohm suggested I put in a tender and mine was $100.


“My tender was accepted and we have used it ever since.


“It is kept in good shape by Trevor Schultz who is a fitter by trade.”


The pair are among the volunteer barmen who staff the Can Hill booth year-round when cricket and football are played.


You can be sure the renowned Henderson dry sense of humour will be heard.


Speaking of cricket, Hendo and Noel Seebohm were among the founders decades ago of the re-formed Mount Burr United Cricket Clubb.


Hendo points proudly in the cricket clubroom on Can Hill to a B Grade team in the mid-1980s which he led to a premiership.


Regrettably, his name is not on the bat which lists every club centurion.


The high point for Hendo in a green and gold jumper as a Mozzie footballer came 45 years go.


He was awarded the Carthew Medal as the best and fairest player in the Reserves competition.


Other memorable moments were playing in a losing A Grade grand final and in a winning B Grade grand final.


“I played my last game of footy at the age of 39,” Hendo said.


“I then had 10 years as a central umpire and at A Grade level.”


The cricket season wraps up next month and then Hendo must prepare for one of the highlights of the season.


For the third season in a row, Mount Burr will host a night game and attract a huge spectator following.


It will be played against Kalangadoo on April 5 and is the start of the home-and-away season in the Mid South East Football League.


Hendo has never sought any payment and is proud of the life memberships awarded by the Mount Burr football and cricket clubs.


Country sport would not be possible without the likes of Hendo.