PETER’S TOUGH BATTLE
PETER Ryan dominated Assumption and AGSV cricket between 1964–69. He made the First XI in Year 7 and was captain from Year 10–12. He led the side to runner-up in 1967 and to titles in ‘68 and ‘69. Twice he achieved the double of 500 runs and 50 wickets in a season; the only ACK player to do this in one game. Against Essendon Grammar, he hit a century and took all 10 wickets. Peter played cricket for Fitzroy as a teenager and straight from college went to England where he played for Hampshire for two seasons. On return to Australia, he was conscripted to the army for a time in Queensland. He played for Queensland for two years before an injury cut short his career at the shield level. A legendary test player and journalist for Sydney Telegraph described him as the best young batting prospect in Australia. On return to hometown Melbourne, Peter continued to play at club level for nearly two decades. He and his brother Shane were boarders at ACK for a number of years. Their folks ran the Caledonian Hotel in East Brunswick. The two lads were fine assets for ACK. Peter married nurse Cathy Englefield from Robinvale. Her dad Leo had also attended ACK. Cathy’s years of nursing are now very handy as she cares for her husband as he battles a rare form of Parkinson’s disease. He has a supportive family and many ex-collegians who are in his corner.
VARIA
Lew Nagle, a popular teacher and sports coach for some years at ACK, met up with Peter Jongebloed and a few of us at the Gaol Cafe on Saturday. Lew is now principal of the prep to 12 catholic college in Yarrawonga, where he has won high praise for his work. Peter Jongebloed was a fine vice principal at Assumption, much admired by staff, students, and their families. Many ex-students of the Kilmore and district region will remember both Lew and Peter with much affection.
One of my nephews recently spent some time in the USA and among the places he visited was Graceland, home of Elvis Presley. Hundreds of thousands visit the site each year.
TWENTY YEARS ON
2005 was an outstanding year for ACK cricket and football with thrilling premierships in both sports. Local lad Marcus Webb led the 1ST XVIII to a famous victory over Essendon Grammar in front of a huge crowd at Bulleen. Stephen McIntyre of Kilmore East played a pivotal role. Michael Barlow (later of Fremantle Dockers) led the cricked XI to the title in a nail-biting finish at Assumption, Yarra Valley’s Travis Cloke (of later Magpies fame) looked like taking the game away from Assumption until Kilmore lad Travis Hede hit the stumps from side-on to run him out.
The first decade of the century was part of a golden era for ACK sport with four cricket titles and seven AGSV footy premierships along with four Herald-Sun Sheild triumphs at the M.C.G.
It was really good to have a visit from former student Chris Dow the other day. An ACK student (1974-79) Chris is married to Caroline Shelton a daughter of Bombers legend Bluey Shelton. The couple have four fine children. At college Chris was a livewire -whether it be study, sport, or any endeavour. In his final year we were short of a footy coach for one of the junior teams and Chris took on the role. The young kids loved him. He is just back from Germany and is about to leave for the U.S.A. A world authority on recycling he is much in demand. Chris established a recycling plant in East London some 20 years ago and the family lived in the lovely village of Plaxtol in Kent, first south of London for some years. Chris was a playing member of the local cricket club, and the family were very popular with the folk of Plaxtol who combined to give the family a great send-off when they left to return to Australia.
Chris’ sister Katie is married to Alan Tripp-another illustrious ACK name. Alan’s son Matthew is virtually the owner of Melbourne Storm Rugby Club. Chris lives in South Melbourne and is a huge fan of Syndey Swans (formerly South Melbourne F.C). The family also have a ‘retreat’ next to the Goulburn in Seymour. Chris is a great guy-his motto is “treat everyone as you’d wish to be treated yourself”. Some of his UK mates are heading Down Under for next summer’s Ashes.
