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Chisholm鈥檚 fighting innings

October 24, 2014
Category: Community,
Chisholm鈥檚 fighting innings

Maiden Gully Cricket Club's Tim Chisholm has been on a journey like no other.

Eight years ago, Chisholm was diagnosed with a progressive liver disease which eventually required him to be put on a transplant list.

Four years later, he was told that he had throat cancer.

During this period, the now 48-year-old found that he had two constants in his life – family and cricket.

Having always played in the Bendigo region, Chisholm started his cricket career at age 13 and immediately took a liking to the game.

Moving to Spring Gully Cricket Club in 1987, Chisholm took on roles as captain/coach and sat on the committee over a 13 year period at the club.

He was also part of back-to-back A Grade premierships in 1993-94 and 1994-95.

In 2003, he started at Maiden Gully where he was again captain/coach, leading the team to an A Grade premiership in his first year.  

The top-order batsman made a good impression at the Gully, piling on the runs with his highest score in division one being 179* and 213* in division two.

However, three years after his first season at the Gully, Chisholm was diagnosed with a liver disease.

Playing on and off for the next four years, throat cancer saw Chisholm completely sidelined in 2010.

After beating cancer, Chisholm returned to the field before his liver condition worsened and it became apparent that he would immediately need a liver transplant.

 “It was hard, very hard and frustrating,” Chisholm said.

“My three kids (Erin, 16, Eliza, 13 and Angus, 11) would always want to go outside for a hit or go down to the nets and I just couldn’t.”

Wanting to stay involved in the game, Chisholm joined the committee and still went to the club to watch matches and training sessions, contributing off-field by applying for grants for equipment and uniforms.

“I felt a sense of release when I could go down to the club,” Chisholm said.

“I felt like I was achieving something which helped in keeping my sanity.”

Chisholm also became a member of the “Lucky Stars” Transplant Cricket Inc., where he now sits on the committee.

Helping to raise awareness for organ and tissue donation, Chisholm noted that playing in a match in Bendigo alongside Cricket Victoria Chief Executive Officer Tony Dodemaide and Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers Rob Quiney and Alexander Keath had been a highlight.

 “I really just wanted to give back to the community and I get to do this through cricket which is the game I love,” Chisholm said.

On three occasions, including Christmas Day, Chisholm travelled from Bendigo to the Austin Hospital in the chance of having a liver transplant, only to find that the liver wasn’t suitable.

In April 2014, Chisholm received his liver transplant.

“I got a second chance at life,” Chisholm said.

Last weekend, he again returned to the field, captaining  the club’s division three team to a win, contributing with 34 runs.

“It was an unreal feeling,” Chisholm said.

Accumulating 483 runs in 21 matches for Maiden Gully, Chisholm acknowledged that he now looks forward to one day playing in a match with his son, who currently plays at Golden Square.

In a tiresome journey, Chisholm credits his wife, Ang, for getting him through along with the camaraderie of cricket.

“My wife held everything together,” Chisholm said.

 “On the weekend, I played against the son of someone that I have been friends with since I was 21, which shows how amazing the game can be.”

Chisholm will continue his journey tomorrow when he returns to the field against Mandurang.

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