Australian Cricket Society

"...caring for cricket"

Coming up

01 Sep, 2010

Australian Cricket Society AGM Members get a chance to have their say in the running of the Society for the next 12 months. A highlight will be the launch of Ken Piesse's latest cricket book Great Australian Cricket Stories and the presentation of the Jack Pollard Award for outstanding cricket writing to Alf Batchelder for Hugh Trumble: A Cricketers Life.

For catering purposes, please advise of your attendance to ACS Secretary geofftm1@iprimus.com.au

Australian Cricket Society AGM September 1, 2010 7 for 7.30pm MCG Hans Ebeling Room

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Welcome to the Australian Cricket Society

The Australian Cricket Society is a fraternity of cricket lovers who foster and care for the game. We're proud to be a focal point for cricket enthusiasts in Melbourne, Victoria and Australia and celebrate the game with regular luncheons, meetings, film nights and dinners.

The guest speakers at our Annual Dinners come from the Whos Who of cricket. Over the years, we've been honoured to have been addressed by Sir Donald Bradman, Lindsay Hassett, Ian Johnson, Neil Harvey, Bill Lawry, Tony Greig, Ian Healy and in recent years Justin Langer, Damien Fleming, Andy Bichel, Dean Jones and Ashley Mallett. Autograph hunters and memorabilia collectors are in their element at these dinners.

Each summer we publish our flagship Pavilion - a quality 48-page magazine with general interest articles by Society members and friends. Our regular news bulletin Scoresheet is published quarterly by Doug Manning - now in his 42nd year as editor.

A range of merchandise is available for members, including clothing, caps and ties. Extremely popular are the recordings of Annual Dinner speeches going back many years including the Don’s address in 1973. Members are entitled to discounts from travel, trophies, cricket books and memorabilia as well as free admission including a guest to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for Victorian fixtures.

If you're a cricket lover, we hope you'll find something of interest on our website. If you would like more information on our cricket fraternity, contact our membership officer or download a Membership Application

Brad Hodge Luncheon ... Tribute to the Little Master

Members, guests and the media packed the Kelvin Club in August to pay tribute to Victoria's greatest current cricketer - Brad Hodge. The Little Master has scored more runs and been capped more often than any other player in 160 years of Victorian first class cricket.

In an entertaining Q & A, Brads candour and humorous stories of his cricket (and football) career enthralled the audience of nearly 90. To mark the occasion ACS President Ken Piesse produced a 48 page tribute booklet signed by the author and Brad himself. With a production run of just 203 copies, this is a collectors item. The booklet almost sold out on the day but members still wishing to pick up a copy should contact the ACS Merchandise Officer.

ACS Annual Dinner with Ashley Mallett

Former Australian Test off-spinner, international cricket coach, journalist and author Ashley Rowdy Mallett addressed 100 guests at the The Australian Cricket Society 2010 Annual Dinner in May. Following a brilliant toast to cricket by Andrew Joseph - the co-founder of the Society and a cabaret performance by Marney McQueen, Ashley entertained the gathering with his many reminiscences and thoughts on how the game has changed since his day.

Highlights of the Night included presentations to the Young Cricketers of the Year (to Meg Lanning and James Pattinson), the ACS Box Grainger award to Les Pimm and the Encouragement Award to Jack Blain.

The Greg Chappell Luncheon

Former Test captain and classic batsmen with over 7000 Test runs to his name, Greg Chappell addressed a packed Kelvin Club in February. A recent inductee into the ICC Hall Of Fame and current Head Coach at the Centre Of Excellence, Greg provided some fascinating insights into the world of the modern day cricketer. Members were enthralled with the stories of his family upbringing, his introduction to first class cricket and in particular the role played by Sir Donald Bradman in his early development.

Member News

Vale Richard Elvins

The Australian Cricket Society mourn the passing of Richard Elvins after a battle with cancer. Few in the Society's history have made a greater contribution. He played in ACS teams for over 20 years. He organised its overseas tours. He was our official photographer and early webmaster. The banner for this website is a photo taken by Richard. When the Society was in financial difficulty 10 years ago, he took on the Presidency. He poured his heart and soul into the job, modernising the Society and transforming its financial fortunes. Although in poor health, he continued until recently to serve on the Committee as production editor of Scoresheet. In 2009 he was awarded honorary life membership of the Society - an honour he shares with only 10 others. We will miss his wisdom, guidance, goodwill and enduring friendship.

Jim Usher and the Black Saturday Bushfires

Former Pavilion editor and champion Wandering X1 batsman Jim Usher has co-authored Footsteps in the Ash - the story of the tiny communities of St Andrews and Strathewen devastated by the Black Saturday bushfires. It's a heart rendering story of the experiences of some of the survivors and firefighters of that tragic day. Funded by the Bendigo Community Bank, the two authors gave of their services without a fee with all proceeds from the sale going to the local CFAs. For more information and support www.footstepsintheash.com

The aptly named ACS Wandering X1 have returned from the trip of a lifetime ... a Vintage Cricket Carnival in Capetown South Africa. Headed by tour leader Dave McNamara, the 3 week tour included a safari adventure, the delights of Sun City including golf at the championship Gary Player course and then of course there was the cricket. Entered the Over 45 Once Were Competitive section the Wandering were pitted against local South African sides For more

President Ken Piesse and wife Susan will again head up our 2013 Ashes Tour. The itinerary will most likely include included tickets to the first two Tests. Along with playing games against village sides, it's the ultimate tour for a cricket lover.

Have your Say

This is your chance to have your say on the big cricket issues of the day. It's a members only forum to express your views on any cricket subject whether it's team selection for the upcoming Ashes series, umpiring, Twenty/20 or even sledging. Contributions can be in the form of an original article or just a comment on an existing topic. The best articles or comment will be posted on the website. For your say in no more than 300 words ...

Reading Room

Here's a few recommendations on cricket books. Whether it be Bernard Whimpress's limited Edition Addicted to Cricket, Gideon Haighs Silent Revolutions, David Fultons The Captains Tales, Ashley Malletts One Of A Kind or Ken Piesse's Great Australian Cricket Stories, the Reading Room showcases the best new cricket books on the market this year. We take a peek at the latest releases and offer some tips on where to get them at some good prices. New Releases

Coming Up ...

November 2010 - National Over 60s Carnival

Following its success in the 2009 Carnival in Launceston, the ACS is entering a team in the 4th Australian Over 60s Cricket Championship in Canberra from November 7 - 12, 2010. Our sexagearians are looking forward to playing the best of the best from around Australia plus a team from New Zealand. Besides the cricket, there's an action packed week for both players and supporters. If you'd like to be part of the team, register your interest with the organiser Ian Hammet 0438 250 145

December 29 - Aggers Down Under

Jonathan Agnew - regarded as the worlds leading radio cricket commentator - is our Guest of Honour at a Special Dinner for Cricket Tragics on the evening of Day 4 during the Melbourne Ashes Test. Agnew embodies the authoritative, but endearingly juvenile approach of the Test Match Special team, and as a player he was always looking for the fun element of the game.