A packed St Patricks Church farewelled Kilmore’s John Harrington last Thursday.
The requiem mass and eulogy’s were a fitting tribute to John, a truly good man who helped countless people.
A devoted husband to Mary (pictured) for 44 years and a proud dad to Claire, Marcus, Thomas, and Declan, he was not only much loved by them, but also their partners and grandchildren.
John was a wonderful brother of Meg and brother-in-law to of Meg’s late husband, John Kelly, and he was much loved by their children, Dominic and Geraldine.
John’s parent’s, Norah, and John (Senior) were widely known in the community.
Johns untimely and sudden passing devastated Mary and family and indeed saddened countless friends.
An active person, John loved helping people, he was one of life’s great “givers.”
Beyond the Assumption College schooldays, he was a most valued employee of Dunlop Tyres for some 35 years prior to “retiring” to a busy life of garden maintenance where he did much free work for many local people.
I am one of those who owe much to John, he was a loyal friend and a great supporter of ACK sports teams.
He ran the boundary for the First XVIII until he was sixty.
Mary, a career nurse, described John as not only the love of her life, but also her best friend.
Being people of strong faith, they much admired Father Michael Elligate, an ex-ACK educator, also a TV Priest, a University Chaplain, and a Parish Pastor at St Carthage’s in Carlton, they loved attending his masses.
Youngest son, Declan’s fine eulogy covered all aspects of a life well lived and highlighted by love of family and loyalty to workmates and friends.
The congregation included many from all walks of life and this was testimony to the affection all had for a much-loved person.
Following Fr Andrew’s uplifting service and committal, many assembled for refreshments at The Grove in Hidden Valley.
PRODIGOUS KICK
Michael O’Sullivan of Seymour was a massive kick. He thrilled ACK crowds in the late seventies. Long torpedo punts from the wing often brought goals and gasps from spectators. He could teach many of todays AFL players how to kick long and accurately. He later played 53 games for Essendon and Melbourne. He and his brothers Matt and Gerard and sister Janine made wonderful contributions to the life and times of ACK. Matt and Gerard also played 1st XVIII and 1st XI and Matt, a very fine cricketer played for Essendon and for many years dominated SDCA cricket.
CRICKET PROBLEMS
It’s about time the ultra conservative Australian cricket selectors – Geroge Bailey, Tony Dodemaide and coach Andrew McDonald took a bolder approach and injected some youth into the test team. They must have been dragged kicking and screaming to the point where young “gun” Sam Konstas was picked to replace Marnus Labuschagne for the current tests in the West Indies.
Sam should have played at Lord’s where we lost to the South Africans in the world test title clash.
Dashing WA bat Josh Inglis was slotted in for the Barbados test, but only because Steve Smith was injured. Young South Aussie bat Jason Sangha should also be in the frame for the Ashes.
It looks like we’ll have a Dad’s Army XI opposing the much younger England side in the coming summers Ashes. If Australian cricket is serious about stopping the drift of teenagers away from the sport it needs to forcefully point out to George Bailey and co that they have a responsibility to the game in this country more than just picking “golden oldies”. In today’s world young people want some new faces to support.
Khawaja and Labuschagne even at one, two and three are sleep inducing. Khawaja has been a fine player, but his time is surely up. Huge crowds will attend the Ashes tests this coming summer, but it is likely the Poms, win, lose, or draw, will be the entertainers who give the paying public real value for money.
Families from farming communities across this vast land have been great test fans down the generations but hard times have hit with drought and crippling taxes, and some have told me they can’t afford to attend this time around with ticket prices hiked 33 percent.
The new “boss” of Cricket Australia, Todd Greenberg, may be the right man at the right time to give the sport and all who play and follow it real hope for the future. I’m sure he agrees with words spoken by the legendary Keith Miller (pictured) the greatest all-rounder in Australia’s history who said, “Cricket is important at the top, but it is much more so at the lowest levels”.
PS-I may have praised them too early. Konstas and Inglis failed badly in the West Indies test in Barbados. The first four in both innings were a disaster.
MIRROR IMAGE
Don Bradman’s “Invincibles” chased down a huge total on the final day of the Headingly test way back in 1948 to beat England. More than sixteen runs were scored for the loss of 35 wickets. In the recent England v India test at the same venue sixteen hundred and eighty runs and 35 wickets was the tally as England chased down a huge total on the last day. The crowds and TV viewers loved it. There was only one stark difference- in 1948 both sides bowled 20 overs per hour- in 2025 we get 13 per hour. Where have all the overs gone?
PS- on that distant final day at Leeds, England bowled 114 overs in under six hours. It made no attempt to cheat the game or the paying spectators.
