House debates

Monday, 21 November 2022

Statements by Members

Monbulk Cricket Club

4:08 pm

Photo of Aaron VioliAaron Violi (Casey, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Yesterday I was lucky enough to join the Monbulk Cricket Club's anniversary celebration with a game against Seville, exactly 125 years to the day of their first ever game. Congratulations to the presidents Steve Utting and Chris Defina, and the whole committee for such a successful event, including the fiercely fought game with Seville, resulting in a score of Monbulk one for 95 and Seville four for 95. On the day, five club legends were also announced: Frank Anderson, Ken Fleming, Don Matthews, Ken Utting and Jason Fraser. Congratulations also to the club's best 12 and their families announced yesterday, in batting order: Frank Anderson, Len Fleming, Ken Utting, Jason Fraser, Lance Symons, Don Matthews, Colin Jonas, Max James, Ken Fleming, Ted Mattingley, Michael Surwald and Dennis Colee.

Life member Greg Hardy also launched his book 125 Not Out: A History of the Monbulk Cricket Club 1897 to 2022, chronicling the club's founding to the modern day. Greg and other members of the club have done an enormous amount of work to bring this day and the book together. Greg shared the story that several travelled to Monbulk in 1897 and played around piles of logs that had been left on the ground.

As I said my first speech, our sporting clubs are the heart of our towns in Casey, providing a safe place and refuge for young men and women. Congratulations to the Monbulk Cricket club on such a great event.