A golden occasion

Recipients came from across the state to be recognised for providing 50 years of service to cricket in Victoria as administrators, umpires, coaches, delegates, players and more.

Cricket Victoria Chief Executive Officer Tony Dodemaide acknowledged the importance of the game’s long serving volunteers and the influence they have on the sport.

“We congratulate each award recipient on their efforts and contribution to their clubs, associations and the game of cricket and thank them for their ongoing contribution to cricket,” Mr Dodemaide said.

Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers Michael Hill, Daniel Salpietro, Steven Gilmore and Scott Boland also came along to show their support to the 50-year service volunteers.

“Not many things happen without volunteers, so from a players’ point of view it’s important for us to have them around,” Salpietro said.

Recipient Authur Ince, who currently volunteers as an umpire, was honoured by the acknowledgement and noted that his 50 years of service to cricket came from the pure enjoyment of the game.

“I just love the game and enjoy cricket so much.”

Accepting a certificate on his brother’s behalf, President of the Victorian Sub District Cricket Association Jack Sheehan, also recognised the importance of the day to all the recipients involved.

“It’s just a fantastic award,” Sheehan said.

“When you start out to do all these things, you don’t do it for rewards. But at the end of it, when you get recognized, you start to reflect back and you think of all the hours you put in.”

The 22 recipients were:

Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union
Derrick Guye
Allan Mills
Rex Thompson

Victorian Country Cricket League
Graeme Anderson
Josh Browne
Don Cooper
John Donegan
Kevin Hogan
Anthony James Martin
John Moore
Neville Spokes
Ivan Thomkins
Barrie Wrigglesworth
Neil Wrigglesworth
Des Wombwell

Victorian Sub District Cricket Association
Don Hudson
Arthur Ince
Brian Morrison
Geoffrey Reilley
Wayne Albert Seccombe
Anthony Sheehan
Peter Vesty
Victorian Sub District Cricket

Story kindly provided to Cricket Victoria by Sarah Carpinteri.