FOND WANDONG MEMORIES
Ron Pickett grew up in Wandong and attended ACK as a day student. He has been a loyal former collegian across several decades. He and his wife Barbara live in Glen Waverly. A knowledgeable sports follower and avid Tigers fan, Ron has published no less than 17 small books over recent years- all with a mainly sporting flavour and reference to his college days and life in Wandong. He recalls playing cricket in the local competition which included games against college XI’s of the time. His mum was the team scorer and locals liked coming to the picturesque oval to see the village XI play. Wandong was a village in Rod’s time maybe 200 people- today the combined population of Wandong-Heathcote Junction is over three thousand. A pity it has no cricket XI now. Cricket has been this nations flagstaff summer sport for 150 years and reports indicate thousands of cricketers from the cities, suburbs and bush across our vast land paid the supreme sacrifice in World War 1 and 2. I have sometimes written about the cricket club in Pomborneit North- a scattered farming community between Colac and Camperdown. It fields 14 teams each weekend and many of its players names are from families killed in the wars. Their names are enshrined on a magnificent honour board at the ovals entrance. There are millions of cricket fans in Australia. Quite a few of them must live in the Wandong region. It would be great to see a team revived and playing on the picturesque L.B Davern oval.
ECHOES OF 1902
Yorkshire batsman Harry Brook’s blazing century in the thrilling recent final test at The Oval in London (England v India) drew inevitable media headlines comparing Brooks’ innings with Gilbert Jessops hundred against Australia at the same historic venue way back in 1902. Jessop a west country preacher, arrived at the wicket with England 5/28 and needing over 200 for victory on a rain damaged pitch at that point London bookies had the home country 100-1. Jessop then proceeded to hit the fastest Ashes century ever recorded – it came off only 75 balls and ensured the Gloucester parson would never be forgotten. Jessops two great grandsons were at The Oval to see Harry Brook’s onslaught.
NORFOLK LASS
A family in Norfolk, UK on the coast not far north of the county capital Norwich, are very dear to me. I enjoyed their wonderful hospitality during several visits to England Jane and Peter Van Poortvliet and their sons and daughter were very welcoming. Jane’s dad Willie Woodburn was a Scotland soccer legend. He played for Glasgow Rangers and for Scotland. Thousands attended his funeral service in and outside of Glasgow Cathedral. Jane visited Kilmore in 2014 and really enjoyed meeting some of the local area people including Dr Jain and Jeanette, Mary and the late Frank Donovan, Paul and Maureen Rea, Shirley and Robert Wigg, Carol and Phillip McIntyre and Leonie and John Hennessy. Jane’s daughter Tanna, a nurse, pictured with her young son visited ACK some time back as did her brother Ross, and both were impressed with the kindness of local folk and took home happy recollections.
TRIBUTE
Two fine people were recently farewelled from this life with requiem masses at St Patrick’s. Ray Mavro, a highly respected long time Kilmore resident was remembered as a kind and gentle person of strong faith by family members, friends and the trio of concelebrating priests.
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Only a day earlier Ann Harrigan’s life was celebrated. Ann was the loving wife of husband Anthony and loving mother of Lawrence and Shirley, grandmother of Jessica, Dean, Sean, Breanna and great nan of Harry, Noah and Xander. Strong and abiding faith were features of Ann’s life-as with her husband. The couple gave fine service for a lengthy period at Moira Kelly’s “Children First” in East Kilmore. Former patients at the establishment, such as the inspirational Ahmed Kelly were very fond of Ann and indeed Anthony.
