KILMORE CRICKET
A few days ago, I spoke to Kilmore cricket legend Laurie Boyd. His 60 years plus involvement with the local club as player, coach, curator, and official is a remarkable story in itself. He played probably 500 games for the Kilmore Cricket Club (founded almost 170 years ago) plus countless country week carnivals in Bendigo and Melbourne. Thankfully, there is plenty of activity this summer at the club, now part of the strong Gisborne District Cricket Association along with Eastern Hill (Seymour), Broadford, and Wallan. Currently, Kilmore is fielding four senior XIs, five junior teams, and a women’s XI. Then there are the additional numbers in the Woolworths Junior Blasters. In its several divisions, the GDCA has around 150 senior and junior teams. Catherine Mogridge is the hardworking secretary of the Kilmore club and has been pivotal in boosting numbers and support.
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TAKE A PUNT
With all the media conjecture regarding Australia’s Test XI to face India, there is one standout feature. This dads’ army side needs a bold injection of youth and adventure. West Australia’s Josh Inglis and NSW teenager Sam Konstas should be picked. Open with Mitch Marsh and play Inglis at no.6. Konstas could be 12th and set to be fitted into the XI sooner rather than later. Inglis is an explosive bat and brings much needed spectacular appeal to the side. England, India, and the Kiwis (NZ) have gone way ahead of us in providing the crowds with entertaining, and often thrilling, cricket.
A CHANCE MEETING
At the weekend in Epping, I briefly encountered Kathleen McDonald and her two children, now a resident of Wallan. Kathleen and her brother were ACK students just over 20 years ago. It was a tough time during their young lives. Dad Warren lost his battle with cancer and another brother died tragically. Kathleen said I used to help her at times with a few dollars for lunch, so maybe I did. Beyond school days she worked as a travel agent for some years until being made redundant during COVID-19. She then decided to study for a nursing degree at Latrobe and she is now employed at Northern Hospital. Kathleen’s brother Matthew runs a successful building business in the ACT called Canberra Furnished. Her two children Chloe (15) and Logan (11) love their mum. Chloe is in Year 10 at Assumption and Logan in Year 5 at Our Lady of the Way in Wallan East.
CHLOE, LOGAN, AND KATHLEEN MCDONALD.
EARLY PEAKE
While 19-year-old Sam Konstas has grabbed headlines after twin tons for New South Wales, 18-year-old Ollie Peake goes about his work in a fashion that is escaping none other wise heads. The left-hander from Geelong Grammar has arrived home after a serious second
‘Youth Test’ ton ( he made 117 of 277 batting at no.3) for Australia’s under-19 team against India in Chennai. The good news is Peake is a Test, rather than T20, fanatic. Bill Brownless is a big fan of the lad and has watched him play. Bill was a very good cricketer at Assumption, played some games for Essendon, and on one occasion was 12th for Victoria. His son Oscar, on a college XI trip to England, won $1000 pounds for taking a spectacular catch in the crowd from a six hit at the Headingley test oval.
A MEMORABLE TRIP
Suzanne Gunn and Simon Drews of Liberty Kilmore have just enjoyed a memorable trip to the UK taking in the sights of England, Scotland and Ireland. Suzannes son Nathan went along too, – it was the trip he was to have for his 21st birthday but covid wreaked that. The two spent four days in London, seven in Scotland and the fabled isle of Skye and six in the Emerald Isle. People were friendly and welcoming. Some highlights in England were Blarney Castle, the stunning Cliffs of Mother, nightlife in Dublin and Galway and the Wicklow Mountains. In Scotland it was Edinburgh Castle, Loch Lomond, and Lochness, home of the legendary monster. They found the haunting beauty of the Isle of Skye quite fascinating.
