FROM INDIA WITH LOVE
People from India make up a sizable proportion of the population of Australia. Over the decades they have become a notable presence in cities and towns across this vast land. On the whole they are very fine people who have fitted well into the life and times of our nation. In the main they are gentle people, very family orientated and with a fine work ethic. Cricket loving people, they are passionate in support of their homeland team but get behind Australia when we are playing any other country.
In general, the Indian folk deeply appreciate what this country offers. Australia’s population of some twenty-seven million is dwarfed by Indias 1.4 billion which translates into there being 60 people in India for every single person in this country.
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A CHRISTMAS FAR AWAY
I’ve only spent one Christmas abroad and that was many years ago in a sleepy Dorset village on the vast (by English standards) Lulworth Castle Estate of some twelve thousand acres. I had met the Weld family through cricket and on several occasions whilst on leave from Assumption and have enjoyed their wonderful hospitality. On the estate, which reaches to the heritage listed Jurassic Coast, there are six villages- each picture postcard. It was a memorable Christmas. On the eve villagers came together in large numbers for traditional carol singing followed by services in the East Lulworth Anglican and Catholic chapels. Christmas day morning saw the gift giving ritual as the Lord and Lady of the castle along with the estate farmers handing out presents to a hundred or so children. Christmas dinner was held in the castle dining hall and was a feast like no other I’ve known.
TEST OVER RATES
It’s about time cricket bosses actually did something about over rates in tests. It’s hard to believe now that from the games beginnings in 1877 via the Golden Age until the early 1950’s the going rate was on average 115-120 balls an hour – today it is a pathetic 75. The current Ashes series is the worst in history in this country for the paucity of overs bowled in a day. It is plainly a form of cheating- not just the game itself but also the fans who pay top dollars at the gate. I just looked up the scorecards of Don Bradman’s “Invincibles” in England in 1948. The Aussies had four fast bowlers- Lindwall, Miller, Johnston, Toshack but never bowled less than 115 overs in a day’s play. It is way beyond time for authorities to call in captains, coaches, umpires and match officials and read the riot act. There is blatant time wasting that is a blight on the game. If the working-class cricketers of bygone eras could bowl at a vastly superior rate why can’t the multi-millionaire “moderns” with their back up of physios, wellness experts and the rest? If interest in test cricket is to wane in Australia it will purely and simply due to the shoddy over rates.
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LILLIANA THRIVING
Kilmore lass and 2023 Assumption graduate Lilliana Amoroso is progressing well on two fronts. She has successfully completed her specialised nursing course (2nd year) at La Trobe Uni in Bendigo and also continues to display her dancing prowess, most recently in Sydney. She is also very happy that her siblings Francesco and Emelia have leadership roles at ACK in 2026.
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ACK GIRLS WIN
Assumption girls cricket team celebrated its historic win in the inaugural Marist Carnival played at ACK a week ago. The national carnival is a fine step forward for female cricketers in Marist Colleges across Australia. A girls XI first played at Assumption in 1976 led by Angela McCarthy and including Angela Johnson and the late Maria Hempenstall, a much-loved teenager who lost her life in a tragic horse-riding accident.
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GAVIN CLANCY
I’ve received around a hundred cards and messages since the MCG celebration and one from Gavin Clancy was a standout. Son of highly respected Kilmore couple Dan and Mary Clancy (both dec) Gavin was in my English class in the early seventies. He fondly recalls those times and to this day remembers the range of topics discussed and written about-even recalling the novels read.
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HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Best Wishes to all for a happy Christmas and a good year in 2026. Maybe there will be some better news around the globes than in the past year and the peacemakers will prevail over the warmongers. And perhaps we all can make a simple resolution for the New Year- treat everyone you meet kindly for we never know what inward battles people are facing in their lives.
