Cricketers of the century
As the Ashes battle unfolds on those distant fields of glory in England, it is timely to reflect on the summer game at Assumption.
With football, cricket has been played at ACK for 130 years. More than 700 players have played for the First XI across that time.
There have been many fine teams, fine cricketers and an impressive last premiership. The ‘cricketers of the century’ squad was named at Crown Palladium in 2019 this:
Simon O’Donnell, captain, 1980
Peter Ryan, vice captain, 1969
Dave Joss, 1932
Des Purdon, 1942
Nildo Munari, 1957
John Bahen, 1961
Peter Crimmins, 1965
Neale Daniher, 1978
Peter Tossol, 1978
Ray Power, 1982
Jon Henry, 1988
Jason Smith, 1990
Jarryd Travaglia, 1998
Jamie Sheahan, 2008
Tallan Wright, 2010
Cameron Armstrong, 2003,
Keith Savage, 1941
Mauro Rebuffo, 1986
Matt O’Sullivan,1983
Those named include ‘boys’ who went on to play for Australia, Victoria, Queensland, UK County and leagues, premier clubs in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and various country rep XI’s.
Six off the list also played AFL football. Many very fine players missed the cut, including the likes of Francis Bourke, Denis Munari, John Brady – each of them a football star.
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In the 80s and 90s, Assumption welcomed many cricket teams from England, Wales, India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and New Zealand. They were memorable occasions and quite a few members later represented their national test teams.
One of the visiting college XI’s was from the famous rugby school, pictured, in the town of rugby in UK. The world game of rugby was born there.
Reflections
It was a piece of good fortune in the northern summer of 1970 to meet up with Wilfred Weld at the Hampshire Country Cricket ground.
A lifelong Hants follower – and years later president and patron – he was then doing some broadcasting of the home games.
At the time, Wilfred had his own cricket field with thatched pavilion on the Weld family estate, Lulworth Castle, in neighboring Dorset.
Wilfred and his lovely and gracious wife Sally were the custodians of the 13,000-acre estate, which has belonged to the Weld family for several hundred years.
Visitors are warmly welcomed to the castle and park. The wide-open spaces, historic buildings and stunning landscapes running down to the heritage coast make the precinct one of the most appealing visitor attractions in the south of England.
The chapel of St Mary’s in the grounds has its origins bound up in the history of Roman Catholicism in England.
The Welds have hosted cricketers from around the globe and among the favorites have been Shane Warne and Matthew Hayden.
On each visit to the UK since 1970, I’ve been fortunate to stay a while at the castle and enjoy the generous hospitality of the family.
Also, a number of Assumption College girls in their gap year have had the privilege of working in various areas at Lulworth where each had been superbly treated, particularly by Sally who has looked after them like a mother.
There are five villages across the estate, the market town of Wool, plus the bustling and popular area of Lulworth Cove with its heritage center.
A happy recent memory is of a Harvest Festival Celebration in the parish church of Combe Keynes, one of the villages, in September 2008. Friendly locals and a superb supper highlighted an occasion that has stood the test of time.
Wilfred and Sally have visited Australia several times, most often coinciding in with the England team’s Ashes visits.
They have visited Kilmore and watched cricket at Assumption.
A couple of the Assumption girls who spent time working at Lulworth told me recently how much they loved the experience.
Tara Brida, one of three sisters from Whittlesea who attended the college, has returned several times with her daughters to reunite with the Welds, and could scarcely believe people of such notability could be so kind and gracious. Likewise, Hayley Mogan, a vivacious lass of Irish heritage, absolutely loved her time at the castle.
Now a mum with four young children, living in Kinglake, Hayley introduced me to some of her wonderful relatives in Ireland whose hospitality was deeply appreciated.
Varia
For a long time, year 10 students have done work experience and for a fair number this is the stepping stone to a later career.
I met a young Kilmore lad the other day who is doing his work experience with Kilmore electrician Andrew Wigg. Jie Pisani-Coulson impresses as a fine lad and he is happy to have a good mentor in Andy.
Jie, an ACK student, played junior footy with Kilmore before taking a break. He hopes to start playing again at college next year.
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Assumption First XVIII 17.10 (112) easily defeated Camberwell 5.8 (38) at the weekend.
The Blues have two more games after the term break, before heading into the Associated Grammar Schools Victoria, AGSV, finals.
The final four is already decided – ACK, Yarra Valley, Ivanhoe and Marcellin. It is likely to be a close fought finals series.
