The Veteran s Newsletter

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Maria Lawson
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When they played at Croydon the round before last they had an epic contest with Croydon winning in the last over. Four of the seven RDCA teams in the Over 50 s will also contest the finals.

final. Congratulations to all the players in these teams and best of luck on Sunday.

1 The Veteran s Newsletter Season Issue 6 RDCA VETERANS 2015 / 2016 Season It s Finals Time for BHRDCA; to be Determined for RDCA. In the joint First Division for Over 40 s for both associations, both Ainslie Park and Croydon have made the finals and (unfortunately) are drawn to play each other at Ainslie s ground this Sunday. When they played at Croydon the round before last they had an epic contest with Croydon winning in the last over. Four of the seven RDCA teams in the Over 50 s will also contest the finals. Ainslie Park are drawn to play Canterbury at Canterbury whilst East Ringwood play the undefeated Wonga Park and Warrandyte will travel to Koonung Heights as our only representative in a Division 2 final. Congratulations to all the players in these teams and best of luck on Sunday. Last round in the RDCA Division 2 there were some very close results that along with the next round of games this Sunday will determine this season s finalists. Top team Olinda travelled to Warrandyte and batting first were 8/138cc and in an exciting finish the home side ended 2 runs short with wickets in hand. At Templeton, Mooroolbark won the toss and batted for 188cc which Templeton chased down in 28 overs. Mt Evelyn batted first at Sth Warrandyte to close at 8/182 and their bowlers struggled to take wickets and allowed the home side to pass their score in 35 overs at 2/196.Eastfield Park batted first to be all out for 164 in only 32.2 overs and in reply North Ringwood stuggled to finish with 110.In the other game Yarra Valley batted first for 139 runs from 31 overs and Ranges needed their full quota of 36 overs to win with 6/143. In the final round, top two teams Olinda and Mooroolbark are playing for top spot whilst Templeton V Croydon Ranges are playing for a spot in the four as are South Warrandyte who must win against North Ringwood and Mt Evelyn against Yarra Valley if they are to have a chance of playing finals. In the other game, both Eastfield Park and Warrandyte will be keen to finish the season with a win. The fourth Division has seen some dramatic changes in the last couple of rounds. The previously undefeated Wonga Park have lost their past two games but will still the finals. Last game they were bundled out for just 71 runs by South Warrandyte who then passed their score in just 14 overs without loss of a wicket. The two Croydon sides are both on winning streaks and occupy top two positions on the ladder and are drawn to play in the final round. In the last round South played Mt Evelyn who made 8/183 cc which they were able to chase down whilst North,in another powerful batting display of 4/221 cc which was too many for Bayswater Park. South Warrandyte and Mt Evelyn are both on 3 wins and play each other this round for the final place in the four.

2 Finals Arrangements First round finals will be played at the ground of the team that finished higher on the ladder. The will be one official umpire appointed, this expense will be shared equally by both teams. If the game is rain/heated out then the two teams finishing higher on the ladder will play in the final. This game will be played at Chirnside Park and be officiated by two umpires. In the case of a heat/rain cancellation for this game, the teams will have the option of playing the following week. If that is not agreeable then the premiership will be awarded to the top team. Steve Pascoe (OAM) Congratulations to Steve Pascoe from Warrandyte CC and long term RDCA Committeeman, player and official who was awarded the Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day Steve was also one of the original RDCA officials responsible for formation of the RDCA Veterans Competition. He is currently the RDCA Umpires Chaiman and still plays veterans cricket for Warrandyte in the VOSCA (Victorian Over Sixties Cricket Association) This is an excellent opportunity to introduce the series of player profiles that I have asked RDCA Vets past president, Secretary and player, Brian Gobbi to research and write. The first article on South Warrandyte s Alan Duffus certainly created interest with people who have known Alan for many years being surprised by the full extent of his cricket exploits.i can understand that young Veterans find it difficult to imagine playing over 200 veteran cricket games let alone representing Victoria and Australia in veterans cricket. Congratulations Alan and Brian for this informative article. This week s article will also be entertaining, especially so for Shaun Arbuckle, because this player not only played at Croydon CC with his Dad Pat, but also played with his grand father Ron Critchley. And he is still opening the batting and bowling in our representative Over 60 s team and until this year was also usually skipper. That s enough..read Brian s article. RDCA Vets Comp Stars of the Round Batting Bowling C.Smith C.N. 42 G.Findlay S.W.(2) 4 for 13 off 6 S.Bridger S.C. 42 D.Painter M.E.(2) 4 for 15 off 6 J.Disney Tem 42 B.I Anson N.Ring 4 for 9 off 4.2 J.Hughes C.N.41 P.Hanson Moor 3 for 13 off 3 M.Dunn M.E (2) 41 G.Hubbard S.W. 3 for 20 off 6 P.Milne S.W.(1) 41 A.Willis Sth C. 3 for 23 off 6 S.Hanson S.W2 40 T.Brauns Temp 3 for 48 off 6 R.Little S.W2 40 A.Walker S,W 1 40 D.Johnson S.W140 R.Brosnan E.F 40 M.Baker E.F 40 S.Teakel Tem 40 D.Fisk Moor 40 B.Bates Olinda 40 C.Elliott Olinda 40

3 Tour - 17 nights Departs Melbourne July 8th, returns July 25th $ * pp Twin Share Playing 4 or 5 Matches on tour:- Turf - subject to conditions. Tour Extenstions Available before or after The Tour includes:- Flights economy class, Airport Transfers. A/C Coach Travel, English Speaking Tour Guide. Baggage Van and staff World Class 5 Star Hotels - Full Breakfast. Tour Functions and Events. Evening Meals Outside Colombo. Lunch at Cricket matches Tour Uniform Not Included:- Travel Insurance, Lunches other than noted. Dinners in Colombo outside of the Functions. Private needs. Single Supplements & Tour Extension available Visit the websites of our tour Hotels:- Exact Hotels for tour may vary slightly: mount lavina hotel heritancehotels.net/kandalama/ heritancehotels.com/ahungalla/ aitkenspencehotels.com/earls/ mahaweli.com/home.shtml Yarra Valley Veterans Cricket Tour to Sri Lanka July 2016 Playing 4 or 5 Matches on tour:- 40 over matches on International venues, P. Sara Oval, Galle or Kandy along with Local 1st class cricket venues. Sit in the changerooms of Warne and Murali. Visit:- Dambulla Stadium, Temple of the Tooth, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Sigiriya-Lion Rock, The East Coast, Historic Ruins, National Parks, The Galle Fort, Directors tours Foundation Of Goodness Seenigama, Cultural Show-Kandy, Tea Factory, Spice Gardens, Shopping at Odels, Majestic City & more. Exclusive to this Tour Our Gala Dinner with Past International Players. Opportunities to mix with Past & Current Players and Officials For Further information contact:- Ross Coon on Dean Stevenson on Payment - Deposit Information *Taxes / fees in prices subject to Gov Changes Cheque / Cash / Direct Deposit. Card by arrangement. Keith Thompson on keiththompson@bigpond.com Please contact above for more information. Funds will be held by the Yarra Valley Cricket Association until payments made for tour, in part or full. Initial Deposit $ pp Organised by cricket loving people, not for profit. Sri Lanka content in association with Upalis and Mr D. Cruse, Aitken Spence PLC Sri Lanka Tour Arrangements by the Yarra Valley Cricket Association Sri Lanka & Cricket Tour Expertise.

4 RDCA VETERANS CRICKET Stalwarts Still Not Out Edition Name: Michael John Gavin Michael was born in Albury NSW on 14th Sep He was the first of four boys, and he answers to Michael or Mick. His parents lived in Wodonga Vic. but for hospital treatment you needed to travel over the border to Albury. 2. Family History: His father joined the army in 1942 and after basic training throughout Victoria and NSW was transferred to the Bandiana Central Supply Division. While there, and in the latter years of his service he was able to utilise his clerical skills. He was always expected to be sent overseas but it did not eventuate. Michael s mother was a Mother Craft Nurse. His father left the army in 1947, and worked in Wodonga, then obtained employment with Purvis Stores of Moe in Office Administration. In the late 1940s the family moved to the developing community of Moe [population < 2000] to live. This was back to home territory for his mother, as she came from a farm near Sale. Purvis Stores was a Gippsland Icon, and this business grew to over 40 stores spread around Gippsland. His Dad eventually became the Credit Controller of the group and stayed in Moe right through until his retirement. His parents remained in Moe till very late in their lives and until ill health forced them to Melbourne. Both parents lived into their mid 90 s. Michael has fond memories of his teenage years, as he was called upon by his father to assist in the local Purvis Store, mainly in office work during Michael s school holidays. In those days, everything was done by hand so it was a great learning curve for Michael, and it proved to be the benchmark for many of his later activities. 3. Schooling: Entrenched in Moe from aged two, Michael went to school at St. Kieran s Catholic Primary School and then the first years of High School to Moe s Presentation Convent. To finish his schooling he boarded in Geelong, attending CBC St Josephs College for Leaving and Chanel College for Matriculation. He returned to Moe and was employed by the State Savings Bank of Victoria (SSB), starting in July He became a valuable SSB member immediately, with his already obtained office skills. 4. Marital Status: Living in the country was always a good life, especially if you played sport. Michael was a very typical country lad playing Football for Hillend in the Mid Gippsland League, and cricket for Moe CC. He still had time to court Dot, a school teacher at the local HS, and they married in 1969, after a blind-date introduction the previous year. This liaison has lasted to this day and beyond, and they were blessed with two boys. Both boys are local to Mt Evelyn, living in Montrose and Tecoma, with Michael being proud of his grandchildren, which total four. They again count themselves to be lucky as they are involved in their grandchildren s lives.

5 5. Main Occupation: Michael had joined the SSB in 1965, and he worked hard for them until 2000, that is 35.5 years service. He had managed to endure the amalgamation with the CBA Bank in 1992 which was a traumatic experience for all staff working in those Bank s at that time. He and Dot transferred from Moe in 1971 to Melbourne, purchasing their first home in Croydon, and he then spent 18 years working in various State Bank Head Office positions. This included a stint of 12 years in the Bank s Branch Mechanization Department which included bringing the Bank into the modern world of technology with computerisation of Branch records and systems, introduction of ATMs and Word Processing for Head Office departments. Towards the end he served at a few branches and finished as Manager Mitcham, a prestigious respected position. Now this was not the end as he was besieged with requests from clients and others for assistance. So he started his own Bookkeeping and Financial Management business. He specialised in BAS statements and even today is still advising clients, although he is semi-retired. 6. Other Interests: (i) Michael and Dot have lived in the same home in Mt Evelyn since It is a large bush type block with lots of native vegetation. They used this space to propagate many species of native plants in the past. They both had developed an interest in native plants, to the extent that they joined The Society for Growing Australian Plants - Maroondah Group. Michael was heavily in involved all aspects of the administration of this local group, and over many years held all the positions including President of the Maroondah Group. Via a Study Group he had input into the writing, collation and production of many books on this subject. These volumes are now reference books for growers. (ii) Mick and Dot have enjoyed outback travel and camping in recent years and will do much more. They have just purchased an Elite Caravan and FWD Car to travel Australia and it will provide more comfort than the previous used tent. (iii) In 2002, Michael finished his long stint as RDCA Veterans Secretary and joined the Community Service Club - Rotary Lilydale. He quickly became totally involved at Board level and has served in many positions in the Rotary Club of Lilydale. A key position has been the Treasurer of a joint Club run Farmers Market on the first Sunday of each month since 2009, which has put back in excess of $125, into local Rotary community projects. Rotary has a strong international cricket fellowship and he has played in carnivals, against Rotary inter-state and international sides. He has represented Rotary Victoria and Rotary Australia against NZ Rotary and a touring English Rotary side. He was given the honour in Rotary of being awarded a PAUL HARRIS FELLOW by the Rotary Club of Lilydale. 7. Sporting Life: We know lots about Michael s cricket and this we will now cover. But he played only several years of country football and was forced to stop as he sustained two major bone breaks leg and collar-bone injuries. He has enjoyed golf over the years and did have a good handicap of 14 at Eastwood where he won several trophies. This is not surprising as he has a natural talent and swing at cricket. Cricket started early for Michael, as his Dad was an outstanding cricketer in the Albury/ Wodonga Association and then Moe CC. Michael of course followed his Dad to cricket and filled in as required.

6 His Dad was named in the Team of the Decade for 1950 s for Moe CC and then the Team of the Century for Moe CC. Michael also won an accolade as a member of the Team of the Decade for the 60 s. Playing with his Dad was a Lifetime Highlight. While at Moe, a fond memory is the winning of the 1969/70 Grand Final against the age old foe of Yallourn. Michael was 22 year old and he opened the bowling and took 10 wickets for the match. Also while batting he was sconed by Jumbo James, a legendary Gippsland fast bowler. He was taken to hospital when they were 3 down, returned asap when they were 7 down, went out to bat again, and was there when the winning runs were scored. He walked home triumphant but Dot was shocked to see, a head swollen and eye closed. But winners are grinners, and he still has the memories. He won Central Gippsland Association bowling averages at junior and senior levels. Then in 1971 in Melbourne he joined Croydon in Eastern Suburbs Comp, and played for them for about 4-5 seasons. He was in their side in the first years of Croydon playing in Sub-District. Michael came down as an opening bowler from Gippsland, but became an opening bat due to limited bowling opportunities. Michael has received Cap No 16 from Croydon CC as recognition of membership of their Sub-District senior side. In Croydon s first year in sub-district, he played in a Grand Final against Ormond, but lost due to a sticky wicket. He played with many well-known RDCA Veterans cricket identities at Croydon, namely: Daryl Stephens, Avion Williams, Barry Jacquier, Geoff Groube, Pat Arbuckle, Bruce and Col Garrett. Mick remembers playing against a number of ex State cricketers, and Australian Test spinner Lindsay Kline. Then family then took over, and while he played an odd game or two with Mt Evelyn CC, cricket was on hold. Mick was involved in Mt. Evelyn CC juniors as a Team Manager, when his two sons played, and was picked up to fill-in, when senior sides were short. 8. Veterans Cricket: 1991/92, vets came along and the time was right for Mick to get back into it. He quickly became joint Mt Evelyn Co-Ordinator with Graeme Seymour and shortly after became Secretary of the RDCA Veterans Assoc., which peaked at 45 sides before Box Hill and Diamond Valley Veterans competitions were formed. The RDCA representative s led the charge and much of the success of Veterans cricket in Victoria can be afforded to Mick, he was a great Administrator. Mick was presented with a RDCA Awards Certificate for services to the RDCA Veterans at the RDCA Veterans 2008 end of season dinner. Additionally he was a great cricketer, he opened the Batting and the Bowling for Mt Evelyn and he was always difficult to dismiss, and it was difficult not to be dismissed by him. In Veterans and VOSCA cricket he has made in excess of: 4800 Runs, taken in excess of 170 wickets and over 50 Catches and he has proven himself to be the complete cricketer, time and time again. REFER BELOW FOR STATISTICS Player Statistics to MT. EVELYN 40s, 50s & 60s GAMES 146, RUNS 3762, AVERAGE 38.8 BOWLING 121 WICKETS Economy Rate 3.09, Average 20.5 RINGWOOD VOSCA 60s Games 33, Runs = 1025, Average BOWLING: 48 wickets, Economy Rate 2.65 and Average 6.29

7 Since 1991/92 Mick would have played in excess of 200 games across Mt. Evelyn, Ringwood and RDCA representative sides. He has enjoyed success with Mt Evelyn with a Division 2 Grand Final, and 3 top of ladder finishes in Legends for Mt Evelyn. He has been the leading run scorer on many occasions. -He has played for and captained RDCA Representative teams many, many times. -He has joined forces with the Australian Cricket Society and played against many visiting teams. -He has been playing VOSCA (Over 60s) for the past 8 years, captaining the Ringwood side and is playing for Mt Evelyn Over 60 s on the alternate week. This culminated in being selected in the Vic Metro 1 side for the 2014 VOSCA carnival in the Dandenong area. Mick indicated that Carnival cricket, whether it be Golden Oldies, Rotary Cricket Fellowship, VOSCA, as well as Inter-Association matches, all provide a great opportunity to renew friendships and relive past glories and failures. 9. Summary: Above all he is dependable in sport as in life. His commitment to family is also without question and will always be his greatest satisfaction. This story shows the incredible Administration skills he possesses and his incredible work ethic. He gets in and gets things done for the betterment of others and his own satisfaction. The success of the Mt Evelyn CC has a lot to do with the fact they have stuck together over 25 years of Veteran s cricket, their individual personalities have complimented each other, and the fellowship that this participation has created has given all at Mt Evelyn and especially Michael a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment. He hopes that many more mature age cricketers will continue with cricket and reap the benefits. Michael Gavin Jan 2016 Information obtained in discussion with Brian Gobbi Jan 2016 Michael allows this information to be circulated to his cricket family.

9 Committee Members for Season At the recent AGM, the following people were elected to the Committee. There are 3 committee positions that were not filled on the night and the Committee welcomes younger veterans in particular to join. Because most procedures for the competition are well established, the Committee usually only needs to meet on 4 or 5 occasions throughout the year. Those elected were:- President Daryl Stephens dasher_s@hotmail.com Secretary Vacant Treasurer and RDCA Board of Management Rep Chris Allan monty5@optusnet.com.au Registration, Results and MyCricket Manager. Ian Leach robian@dodo.com.au VOSCA Rep Chris Hartrup chrishartrup@hotmail.com Newsletter Coordinator Paul Williams studiofour@me.com Committee Members (4) Nick Papadopoulos nicpapa@bigpond.net.au To nominate or for further information, please contact Daryl.

VCV ZONE COMPETITION PLAYERS PHOTOGRAPH ELSTERNWICK PARK SUNDAY 5 TH MARCH 2017.

FOR VCV DELEGATES MEETING 22 ND JANUARY 2018 VCV ZONE COMPETITION PLAYERS PHOTOGRAPH ELSTERNWICK PARK SUNDAY 5 TH MARCH 2017. Table of Contents: VCV Zone Competition Introduction & Early Beginnings Initial