CRICKET IN WINTER
Whilst the southern states shivered it was good to see Australia and South Africa playing white ball cricket in our far north. In warm sunshine and balmy evenings capacity crowds turned up in Darwin, Cairns and Mackay to watch the action. Folk of all ages in the stands and terraces had a good fine time and I think there will be more first-class cricket played in the top-end in the years to come.
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SAD, YET UPLIFTING
It was with mixed emotions I visited the “Manor” in Templestowe recently. The best schoolboy cricketer of my time is a resident there, fighting for his life with a cruel affliction. Peter Ryan played 1st XI from year 7-12, led the side for these years and two premierships, broke every Assumption and AGSV record- went straight from college to play county cricket with Hampshire in the UK, then play for Queensland. Tipped as a likely test star at 21, his career at the top was cruelly cut down by a blow to the temple from Victorian fast bowler Alan Thompson.
Peter’s fate in a way rivals Neale Daniher’s – Neale of course an ACK champion whose career at Essendon was cut so short by injury and in later life he fell victim to MND.
Peter was able to smile as we reminisced about college days and his deeds on the fields of summer. I think he was pleased to hear me speak about his record-breaking feats with the willow and his century and all ten wickets on a golden day versus Essendon Grammar. In the presence of his devoted wife Cathy and brother Shane (also an ACK student and cricket rep) it was a moving couple of hours.
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We were greeted at the “Manor” by former Kilmore resident Ashley Greaves who for a time was captain of Kilmore Golf Club. His daughter Emma contacted me recently as follows: Emma was a popular girl at college and often helped me with aspects of sport. She graduated in 2006 and has forged a fine business career which takes her to overseas countries.
BROADFORD FOLK
Good to catch up briefly recently with Archie Baines and son Alan, also the three lovely daughters or Mark and Tracy Carboon. Archie Baines was a great help to me in the eighties with the footy. In 85 and 89 he gave up his time for free to drive the 1st XVIII to Sydney where memorable curtain raises to games that were played before big crowds. Son Alan was a key player in the champion teams of 81 and 82. Playing as a rover forward, he was a fine foil for champion forward Ray Power. He kicked goals regularly and with accuracy. He has a young son aged nine I think who recently kicked nine goals in a game for Broadford. A chip off the old block.
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Ellanor, Genevieve and Alana Carboon are a happy trio enjoying work and sport. Each made a fine contribution to Broadford Primary School and College. Ellanor was school captain at the secondary school. Keen on sport their collective interests are netball, cricket, football and formula one car racing. They are a credit to themselves and their folks.
