Dramatic rise
From the very humble beginnings women’s cricket has come a long way.
It is now a popular and highly skilled game in many countries. Australia has been a dominant force but the gap is closing with England, New Zealand and South Africa on the rise.
The Aussies have played in front of some huge crowds, the top was an 86,000 MCG crowd at a World Cup final in 2020.
The number of girls and teams participating in Australia has tripled in the past decade.
Vale Kevin Cooper
A celebration of life function at Kilmore R.S.L paid tribute to Kevin Coooper.
He had spent many years in Kilmore, his final decade at Dianella where he was very grateful to the dedicated staff.
Born in West Australia, Kevins great loves in life were his family, football, cricket, and the Australian Labor Party. R.S.L President Rod Dally welcomed family and friends of Kevin.
Among the gathering were federal member for McEwen Rob Mitchell and state member for Yan Yean Lauren Kathage. Kevins daughters Camilla, Renata, and Jacqueline were in attendance and Camilla spoke beautifully, about a much loved dad.
A very good sportsman in his younger years Kevin had a great knowledge of sport in general and his beloved “Bombers” in particular.
For more than a decade he acted as an official for Assumption 1st XVIII where he was very popular with the students. He loved the trips to the various venues of the A.G.S.V and especially a trip to Adelaide in 2008.
He also really enjoyed the various premiership celebrations he was involved with. Farewell to a good man.
Star from the jungle
Young West Indian express Shamar Joseph rocked the Aussies with his devastating spell in searing heat in the Brisbane Test.
He bowled for nearly two hours straight despite a broken toe. The Australian team management would not have allowed him to take the field let alone bowl such a long spell in the 42 degrees scorcher.
The Windies team their 2nd XI debuted several exciting young players who could return Caribbean cricket to the glory days.
Joseph grew up in a tiny village in the Guyana (South America) jungles which did not even have phone connection until 2008. His parents were so poor they could not provide him with shoes.
From his village It is a five hour boat ride to the nearest town. Many millions around the world tuned in to watch him wreck the Aussies.
To the Antarctic
Kelly Wilsmore hails from the farmfields of the Glenburn Flowerdale region of lush valleys and wooded hills.
She is an intrepid adventurer who regularly goes riding in the High Country and camping with friends.
Last year she swam with the whales off the coast near Broome and in January with her husband Greg and her mum.
The two pictures, with Kelly on the right, are near the lighthouse on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Kelly described it as a wonderful adventure. She and Greg have two fine children a son and a daughter in their early twenties.
Beyond work and study both are keen AFL footballers. Meanwhile Kelly is a highly regarded optometrist in High Street, Yea.
