This photograph shows Orbost's first cricket team in the Lochiel paddock - C 1880's.Included are: Alec Cameron; Harry Richardson; Jo Swallow; Matt Lynch; Joe Roderick; ? Hatton; Alf Richardson; Janes Cameron; John Cameron;John FarquharSport is often regarded as an important part of life in rural Australia. Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Australia at international, domestic and local levels. It has been played in Australia for more than 200 years. This photograph is a pictorial record of an Orbost cricket team in the nineteenth century.A black / white photograph of a group of men standing in front of a cricket pitch. Two men are holding cricket bats and are wearing pads. One man is crouching.sport-cricket recreation-cricket

RAILWAYS COLLECTION Black and white photo of - a team of 15 Cricket players on a cricket pitch with trees in the background two players are kneeling with two crossed cricket bats.photograph, person

In 1860 Smeaton residents appealed for funds to establish a school. Patrick Curtain, and his co-workers raised more than £150 plus a land grant (Allot A, Sect 2, Township of Smeaton). Head Teacher John Forbes, with assistant Zillah North, opened a timber school building which measured 36ftx18ft (11.0x5.5m) on 1 September 1861 with 44 children. Rising enrolment to 65 in 1868 made building alterations necessary. During 1870-1 a residence of four rooms was supplied and in October 1882 a 20ftx18ft (6.1x5.5m) classroom. In 1907 a new brick building accommodated 122 children. Among notable ex-pupils are Major-General Bridgeford, Frank Wright ( Musical Director of the London County Council), Alex Wright, (AKA singer Andre Navarre), and Les Brooks. (Visions and Realisations) In 2013 it was announced that Smeaton Primary School would close. The Hepburn advocate reported: "A Department of Education spokesman has confirmed the Smeaton Primary School council recently voted unanimously to recommend the school close at the end of the year. The school currently has 12 students with enrollments dwindling during the past few years and no prep students to its boost numbers or its future. The school’s imminent closure comes as the Smeaton community gears up for the town’s 175th anniversary which will be celebrated later this year. School council member Kristi Pedretti said it had not been a decision made lightly. “There are 12 students – only one in grade 6, about eight in grade 5, two in grade 3, and one in grade 1 – and there’s only one girl in the school,” she said. “So it was a combination of everything – having that big group through in grade 5, but no preps coming through, and only one girl. “It’s hard for parents to see a future in the school.” Ms Pedretti has a son in grade 6, Jack, and is herself a former Smeaton Primary School student." .1) Red brick building .2) Smeaton Primary School logo .3) Smeaton Primary School Bell .4) Smeaton Primary School pakyground, including concrete cricket pitch.smeaton, school, education, bell, cricket, state school no. 552

The model village in the background suggests a location in Britain.Port Melbourne Mayor, Cr Perce WHITE (right), with Deputy Town Clerk, Tony DE FAZIO (centre) and an unknown person (left) standing in front of a model village with a cricket pitch.tony de fazio, perce maguire-white, local government - city of port melbourne, perce white

Black and white image of Cheltenham in the early 20th Century depicts an almost idyllic life. This photo was taken by Percy Fairlam, who climbed a tall pine tree to achieve the aerial view. The tree was a well recognised feature of the Cheltenham skyline but was cut down some time before World War II.Cheltenham was established as a rural market gardening community. The development of the railway was crucial to the ongoing development of the area. Community life sprung up around the railway line which is evident in the proximity of shopping and leisure.Black and white image depicting aerial view down Charman Road, Cheltenham, including the unsealed road, level crossing and shopping centre. What appears to be a cricket pitch is located behind the shops.Handwritten in black ink on a red round sticker adhered to the reverse, and then crossed out: X14 Handwritten in blue ink on reverse: A8 Handwritten in red ink on reverse: 85%cheltenham, railway crossing, roads, housing, shopping strip

RAILWAYS COLLECTION colour photo of -a team of 13 Cricket players on a cricket pitch with trees in the background. Appears to have been taken at, White Hills Oval C1960 - see 6895/6894, 6869.photograph, cricket

Maurice Gleeson holds an audible ball used in blind cricket, whilst standing at Kooyong and near a cricket pitch.7 digital images of Maurice Gleeson at Kooyongvision australia, blind sports victoria, maurice gleeson

Aerial photograph of Kirkella homestead taken in 2001. Shows Cricket pitch on Right Hand Side of photo partly surrounded by trees.stawell sport

In 1869 the Council moved to name this park "Victoria Park. The cricket pitch construction began in 1873 and major improvements to the ground were undertaken in 1881. It is still the primary sporting ground in Echuca, offering AFL football oval, cricket pitch and nets, athletics and entry to the Echuca boat ramp and the natural bush land of the scenic drive. It also houses Echuca Council caravan park. The signage in this photograph is no longer there and the enterance to the caravan park has moved.This area of Echuca has historically been a major recreational area for the town. Being the primary sporting ground since its establishment in 1869., the area has a number of sporting and recreational facilities for the people of Campaspe Shire, from natural bush walks in and along the Murray river to more formal facilities such as AFL football ground, firefighting training area, netball courts, cricket pitch and nets, and grass tennis courts. Colour photograph (post-card size) of directory signs to entrance of Victoria Park, Echuca taken facing north. Two driveways are shown, to the east "Caravan Park" and to the west , "Victoria Park", "Boat ramp", " Scenic drive"Printed in black on the reverse:"this paper manufactured by Kodak"echuca, port of, echuca council caravan park, victoria park, echuca, echuca-tourist attraction

The Ballarat Junior Technical School was a division of the Ballarat School of Mines. Plan of the Ballarat Junior Technical School, a division of the Ballarat School of Mines, The plan shows the Gaol Research, School of Mines Mining Battery, Common room, rifle range and cricket pitch. The school and grounds fronted Albert Street and Grant Street. gaol reserve, ballarat school of mines mining battery, model mine., mining battery, common room, rifle range, cricket pitch, albert street, grant street, ballarat school of mines, buildings, bicycle shed, ballarat technical art school, dressmaking, quoit court, architectural plans

RAILWAYS COLLECTION colour photo of -a team of 10 Cricket players on a cricket pitch with trees in the background two players are kneeling with two crossed cricket bats. Note on the back of the photo says Copper Shop Cricket match, White Hills Oval 1960photograph, cricket, 1960

This Gunter’s Chain, an old land surveying instrument, is named after its inventor, Edmund Gunter (1581-1626), an English mathematician and astronomer. It was first produced in 1620. The tool has 100 links and is 66 feet or one chain long. The links are marked off in groups of ten by metal rings or tags. A quarter chain (25 links) is called a rod or pole and ten chains make a furlong and 80 chains make a mile. The traditional cricket pitch is 22 yards or one chain long. This Gunter’s Chain is of considerable significance because: 1. It is an early land measuring tool that was used for over 250 years and has great historical and mathematical significance. A Gunter’s Chain would have been used when forming and building local roads from the earliest days of settlement. 2. It has a possible local connection as it was given to the Historical Society by a local person in 1965 and possibly came from the property of ‘Rosehill’ This is a metal tool which consists of 100 metal pieces or links joined together by loops at each end with two metal loops in between each link. The links joined together form a chain. The two ends of the chain have small metal handles attached At intervals along the chain there are additional rings or metal pieces attached. Some white and green rope material has been used to bundle up the chain. The metal is somewhat rusted. gunter’s chain, land measurement tools, history of warrnambool

As a result of a group of European expatriates settling in Sunbury in the 1970s and wanting to play soccer, the Sunbury United Sporting Club was formed in 1972 with the first games played on the Aussies Rules ground in Evans Street (now the Sunbury Shopping Square). After cooperation between Shire of Bulla Council to acquire an open area of land in Michells Lane, the club moved to their own ground, Langama Park in 1975. Since that date, the club has grown and today there are 3 senior and 2 junior pitches as well as 2 cricket pitches and comfortable clubrooms on the area.Sunbury United Sporting Club was one of the first Soccer Clubs to be established in the district.A scanned non-digital coloured photograph of the Sunbury United Football Club. There is a white border around the photograph and the names of the players are listed under the image. The players are wearing navy blue guernseys with a diagonal red and white stripe across the front.sunbury united sporting club., langhama park, soccer, mitchells lane

A chain is a unit of length equal to 66 feet or 22 yards. This is a statute measure in the United Kingdom. One link is 100th part of a chain, which is 7.92 inches (20.1 cm). The chain and link became standard surveyors' units of length and crossed to the colonies from the United Kingdom. The chain is the unit of linear measurement for the survey of the public lands as prescribed by law. In Australia most building lots in the past were a quarter of an acre, measuring one chain by two and a half chains. Also street frontages, roads, laneways. The chain also survives as the length of a cricket pitch, being the distance between the stumps. Surveyors and residents of the Kiewa Valley used the Steel Band Surveyors Chain to measure distances when developing the land.Surveyors' steel band measuring tape, known as a 'standard band', or a 'steel band chain'.This chain consists of a long narrow strip of steel of uniform width of 3 mm and thickness of 0.3 to 0.6 mm. The chain itself is between 20 m and 30 m long.surveyors, surveyors chain, measurement of distance

Sunbury United Soccer Club was established in 1973 by a group of expatriate Europeans who wanted to play the game they grew up with. Their first games were played on the recreation reserve in Evans Street on the ground designed for AFL football. (Now the site of a shopping complex). In August 1975, Sunbury United moved to its present home on seven and a half acres of sporting ground at Langama Park in Mitchells Lane . Over the years that area has developed and there are now three senior, and two junior soccer pitches with two cricket pitches and practice nets. Although there is still room for improvement to the floodlighting on the main pitch, the night games have proven successful. The Sunbury United Soccer Club has played an important roll in district competition and is one of the many sporting clubs in Sunbury.A non-digital black and white photograph of a soccer ground showing a set of goal posts with the clubrooms and change rooms in the background.soccer, sunbury united soccer club, football, langama park, mitchells lane

The Hillcrest Cricket Club is shown in the 1931-32 season. The photograph is named. The photo is accompanied by a handwritten short history of the club by Ray Hooper: "Hillcrest C.C.- Hillcrest Cricket Club was situated between Mountainview Road and … Street at the top of the hill. Where it became flat more or less where River Street met Mountainview Road (straight up). The land was owned by Mr J Ellis (senior) who allowed the local men to make a cricket pitch so they could form a cricket team and enter in the Eltham District Cricket Association (1925-1930). As you can see Mr Ellis Senior (by photo) became president and both his sons played for Hillcrest C.C. My father also played and I can just remember W Mills (Captain), H.Padget, H.Johnson, J.Parks and H.Weidlich (as I got older). Ray Hooper." Copy of group photograph and handwritten article.Group photograph is named.hillcrest cricket club, ray hooper

A Gunter’s Chain, an old land surveying instrument, is named after its inventor, Edmund Gunter (1581-1626), an English mathematician and astronomer. It was first produced in 1620. The tool has 100 links and is 66 feet or one chain long. The links are marked off in groups of ten by metal tags or rings. A quarter chain (25 links) is called a rod or pole and ten chains make a furlong and 80 chains a mile. The traditional cricket pitch is 22 yards or one chain long. This chain is said to have been used by Gilbert Nicol when the Warrnambool to Hamilton Road was constructed in the 19th century. Gilbert Nicol was an early settler in Warrnambool who, with John Craig, established the first hotel (and the first building) in Warrnambool in 1847. Nicol later owned the property ‘Rosehill’ in the Warrnambool area. As the chain was given to the Warrnambool and District Historical Society by the Town Clerk, Keith Arnel, it is likely that the chain was one of the items in the old Warrnambool MuseumThis Gunter’s Chain is of importance because it is an early land measuring device that was used for over 250 years and has great historical and mathematical significance. If it is correct that it was used by Gilbert Nicol when the Warrnambool to Hamilton Road was built then it has considerable local significance and dates back to the 19th century. This is a metal tool which consists of 100 metal pieces or links joined together by loops at each end with two metal loops in between each link. The links joined together form a chain. The two ends of the chain have small metal handles attached. At intervals along the chain there are additional rings or metal pieces attached. The metal is very rusted.gunter’s chain, land measurement tools, history of warrnambool

Mitta Junction which was established about 1920 on the Victorian side of the Hume Dam construction site (originally called the Mitta Junction Reservoir). The town was built to house workers and their families. It included houses, private and government boarding houses, a shop, hall and school as well as tennis courts and a cricket pitch. Mitta Junction was a thriving community with many activities, including Balls and Euchre Nights, held at the Hall which opened in February 1922. The community also fielded a very successful football team in the local competition. After the completion of the Dam, the village and all its contents were sold at auction in June 1936 for £7,000. Individual houses sold at about £40 for removal to nearby towns. The Mitta Junction School which opened in 1922 continued to operate with very small numbers after the village was moved. Its numbers were boosted in the early 1980s by the children of Army staff at the nearby Latchford Barracks Army Apprenticeship School. It finally closed in December 1985.These images are significant because they capture the history of an important vanished town whose residents played a vital role in the construction of the Hume Dam.A collection of black and white images and a sketch map featuring the village of Mitta Junction, built to house workers on the construction of the Hume Dam. Some of the photographs have been mounted on heavy card.mitta junction township, hume dam construction, hume dam history

When the Victorian Blind Cricket Association approached Mr Paterson for assistance in gaining access to a permanent cricket pitch upon which games could be played, it set in chain a series of events that remain in place today. Mr Paterson had been heavily involved in the formation of the Association for the Blind and saw this as a problem to be solved. Raising money through public donation and door knocking, Mr Paterson arranged the purchase of land on the banks of Gardiner's Creek, and adjacent to the tram and train lines. The land was raised, to avoid flooding, and a surface prepared. The sportsground was adjacent to the AAB, however due to the interest of Malvern Council in the land and knowing that the AAB at that time was in financial difficulties, a Trust was set up to handle the management with Mr Paterson, Mr Gould the Malvern Council Town Clerk and George Maxwell as trustees. A clubhouse was also needed to allow players to take shelter during matches and once again, Mr Paterson came to the rescue. Using their personal funds, Mr and Mrs Paterson loaned the Trust the monies required for the building. This plaque recognises the dedication and support that Mr Paterson gave to help establish the first blind cricket playing ground in Australia.Digital image of metal plaqueErected to the Memory of W.H. Paterson, M.B.E. Obit. Feb. 19 1957 By his personal efforts and sacrifice these playing fields were obtained and this clubhouse erected The first for blind cricket in Australia Erected by the Blind Cricketers of Victoria October 22nd 1957william paterson, victorian blind cricket association

Photo: Note on back of photo states Öutside the Magazine '- coloured photo of three men standing in front of corrugated iron shed. Description attached reads' all the explosives for the mines in this area were stored here. A formed track runs to the door with earthworks all around to guard against blast. A trolley ran from each building on a wooden track. Wheels were copper. Two buildings formed the magazine, one in front of the other. This was to store caps and other explosives. Inside the magazine are numerous racks. Externally buildings were provided with copper lighting arrestors, later removed by vandals. Still to be seen are tracks in asphalt where woollen ( wooden ? ) rails ran. A good metal road ran right to magazine ( gravel) In front of the magazine building is botanical gardens area ( between it and Simpsons Road ). A cricket pitch also in the area more to the rear of Fitzpatrick's Hotel. Eaglehawk's first golf course is said to be in this area. Magazine keepers house still stands next to McLelland ( water bailiff )eaglehawk, powder magazine, eaglehawk, powder magazine, magazine, simpsons road, botanical gardens.

Peter Gerrard Camp, 1983|Teacher Sloshing, 1983|Zoo Trip, 1983|Roller Skating, 1983|Year 7 Williamstown, 1983|"Fair Go" Week|Radio Club|Woodwork, 1982|Year 11 Media Band Recording, 1983|Studio Production Marian Collge|Alison's Year 11 English|Norm's Bird and Platypus|Mary and Cathy Swimming Sports, 10/3/1983|Class 8TB Camp, ?/11/?|Class 9RS Camp, 9/11/1982|Swimming Sports Wednesday PM Group, 10/3/1983|Footy Day|Year 8 Cricket|Year 11 Term 1 Gem Science, 1983|Year 10 Home for Aged Sunshine, 6/4/1983|Year 9 Zoo Trip, 20/4/1982|Class 7TB Camp, 22/4/1982|Class 9GS|End of Year, 1983|Year 8 Cherry Lake, Mar. 1984|M. Willaton Camp|Footy Match, 1984?|Lee Cormack, 21/5/1984|Ski Trip, Jul. 1984|Cricket Pitch Lapping, 25/2/1984|Student/Teachers Display|New Guinea Display|Alice's Farewell|Uniform Day, 17/8/1984|Sunshine Technical School TAFE, 26/9/1984sunshine technical school, technical school

“How’s the wicket, Bert?” During the 4-Day Victoria v South Australia Sheffield Shield match, held 13-17 November 1936 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the play was often interrupted by rain squalls, causing the groundsmen to cover their carefully prepared wicket with tarpaulins to protect it. “How’s the wicket, Bert?” is the question on everyone’s lips – Will it be a batsman’s nightmare? A bowler’s dream? Will the spectators see a full day’s play or will rain spoil it? With a twinkle in his eye, Bert “Maker of Pitches” Luttrell, the MCG curator’s response is: “It’s not the wicket when batsmen get out early, it’s good bowling!” FRC Published: The Age 17 November 1936 Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer.  Photographer notations on slide: "Covering wicket during Vict v Sth Aust Cricket at M.C.G. Nov 1936 B117" Published: Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Tuesday 17 November 1936, page 13 Published title: SHEFFIELD SHIELD CRICKET. Published caption: Placing the tarpaulin over the wicket during one of the showers. This was done four times during the day. Trove article identifier: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205952141 Description: Nine men wearing black macintoshes and hats drag a tarpaulin over a cricket pitch. There is a bucket containing pegs in the foreground. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: During the four day Victoria v South Australia Sheffield Shield match, held 13-17 November 1936 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the play was often interrupted by rain squalls, causing the groundsmen to cover their carefully prepared wicket with tarpaulins to protect it. “How’s the wicket, Bert?” is the question on everybody’s lips - will it be a batsman’s nightmare? A bowler’s dream? Will the spectators see a full day’s play or will rain spoil it? With a twinkle in his eye, Bert “Maker of Pitches” Luttrell, the MCG curator’s response is: “It’s not the wicket when batsmen get out early, it’s good bowling!” Albert (Bert) John Wesley Luttrell 1875-1951, was born in Geelong and worked as a painter and decorator. He played cricket for Clarendon Cricket Club while helping to prepare the wicket at Kardinia Park. In 1890, Mr Phillip Russell, a wealthy merino sheep breeder of Osborne House, North Geelong, offered Bert the job of curator and cricket player for his team “The Nondescripts”, a social team who played at his private oval at Osborne House. After five years at Osborne House, Bert took up a position at Geelong Grammar School and then in 1900 he was appointed curator of Warehousemen’s Ground, Albert Park (later called Albert Ground). There he prepared the tennis courts for the 1908 Davis Cup - Australia v USA featuring the eventual winner of the tournament, Wimbledon champion Sir Norman Brookes. Following the retirement of the MCG curator, Bert was offered the position there for the 1919/20 season. Sport was resuming at the MCG after the suspension caused by the Great War and the Spanish Influenza pandemic. Cricket grounds and matches are always at the mercy of the weather. Sudden heavy downpours can make the ground unfit for play. In 1933, Bert invented and patented an absorbent roller for soaked pitches. Similar to a lawn mower in appearance, it was fitted with a rubber sponge which sucked up the water and then squeezed it into a tank. The sponge was said to mop up a gallon (3.78 litres) of water in 32 seconds and remove 100 to 120 gallons (378 - 454 litres) of water from any wet sports ground in an hour. Bert worked as a curator of the MCG for nearly 30 years, invariably creating his famous “shirt front” wicket. He retired in 1947 due to ill health. He was married to Emma and they had six children- Albert, Harry, Nell, Lily, Frank and Jack. Bert died at home in South Yarra in 1951 at 76 years of age. References: SHEFFIELD SHIELD CRICKET. ENGLISH FLYING BOAT. VICTORIA DOCK. (1936, November 17). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved May 19, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205952141 To Dry Grounds (1933, May 13). Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954), p. 3 (Edition2). Retrieved May 20, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article183038194 No title (1937, February 25). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved May 19, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206185862 GOSSIP of THE GAME (1937, November 12). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 21. Retrieved May 20, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244541623Photographer notations on slide: "Covering wicket during Vict v Sth Aust Cricket at M.C.G. Nov 1936 B117".cricket, 1930-1939

Primitive Bowls started in Ancient Egypt, and the common form has remained very popular throughout the 20th century, with the popularity waning in the 21st century.Powelltown had a very vibrant community with many recreational, activities, Bowls, cricket, football, tennis, swimming, and dances, held at powelltown and Yarra Junction. The community built their own facilitys. they also built tennis courts and a picture theater/hall at Gilderoy03052 Bowling club 1900 Powelltown. Upper Yarra Shire 1888-1988 Centenary collection. Black & white Negative, scanned at 600 dpibowling club 1900 powelltown bowling ball bowling pitch

Part photocopy of newspaper articlenon-fictionA synthetic turf practice pitch has been stolen from the Eltham Cricket Club located at Eltham Central Park. crime, theft, eltham central park, eltham cricket club, lionel draper

To the Victorian fielders’ unbridled delight, keeper BEN BARNETT gloves a sharp chance, taken from the bowling of HANS EBELING to dismiss MCC opener, Arthur Fagg. Unusually, when working with a fast bowler, BEN BARNETT is positioned very close to the stumps, making his successful catch all the more difficult. Due to the wet ball and soggy run up, and the prevailing southerly wind, the wily Victorian Captain, HANS EBELING, firstly altered his run up length. He was now bowling more at medium pace, hoping to increase the chances of deceiving with movement off the pitch and flight through the air. The Ebeling plan was successful as he sent the MCC opening pair back to the Pavilion. Featured in the "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer, Ernie Ward.Photographer notations on slide: "Gregory (Vic) batting against Eng in match at MCG B114".cricket, 1930-1939

Victorian batsman IAN LEE cuts a ball through a full slips cordon, bagging one of nine boundaries during his innings of 160 runs The attacking field placements of four slips, a gully and a point indicate that midway through Victoria’s innings, the MCC bowlers continued to believe they could deceive Ian Lee the batsmen with flight through the air, or movement off the pitch, causing a snick behind the bat. This task was made all the more difficult, because Lee was left-handed, and his partner Gregory was a right-hander. Lee and Gregory’s record 4th wicket partnership of 262 runs in just over 180 minutes indicates the MCC did not succeed. Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer Ernie Ward. Photographer notations on slide: "Fagg caught behind 1ST Innings. Eng v Vict at MCG Nov 1936 B113".cricket, 1930-1939

Yarra Valley Hyundai presentation to Carlton B&F winner 1997A perpetual Trophy presented by a major sponsor Hyundai in the guise of "TOM ALVIN PERPETUAL TROPHY". In 1997 it was presented to Craig Bradley Carlton Best & Fairest winner 1997. Career : 1986 - 2002 Debut : Round 1, 1986 vs Hawthorn, aged 22 years, 159 days Carlton Player No. 931 Games : 375 Goals : 247 Last Game : Round 19, 2002 vs Port Adelaide, aged 38 years, 291 days Guernsey No. 21 Height : 182 cm (5 ft. 11 in.) Weight : 81 kg (12 stone, 11 lbs.) DOB : 23 October, 1963 Premiership Player 1987, 1995 Carlton Legend Carlton Hall of Fame (1995) Best and Fairest 1986, 1988, 1993 All Australian 1986, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 Captain 1998-2002 Team of the Century: Wing International Rules Series vs Ireland : 2000, 2001 (captain), 2002 Off the field, Craig Bradley was a somewhat quiet, unassuming character who never hungered for the spotlight. But when the umpire’s whistle blew for a game of Australian football, he became a consummate professional whose outstanding ball-winning ability, accurate disposal, punishing non-stop running and longevity in the game made him one of the all-time greats. “Braddles” captained the Blues for three years, won two AFL Premierships, and picked up almost every possible honour in a stellar career that spanned 17 seasons and a record 375 games for the Carlton Football Club. He began his football journey at Pooraka in outer-suburban Adelaide, where his father was coach of the Under-19 team. Craig was a stand-out junior footballer, and in 1981 he was recruited by SANFL club Port Adelaide. At the same time, Essendon also made a big pitch for his signature. The Bombers were very intent on getting him to Windy Hill, but Bradley wasn’t then ready to make the big move interstate. Essendon redoubled their efforts after Bradley’s sensational debut year for Port Adelaide, which culminated in the Magpies’ 51-point demolition of Glenelg in the Grand Final. Playing on a wing, but roaming the length of the ground, 17 year-old Bradley was one of his team’s best. He followed up by winning Port’s Best and Fairest in 1982, before departing for England later that year, as a member of the Australian Under-19 cricket team. Cricket was Braddles’ other great sporting passion, and he would eventually play two Sheffield Shield games each for South Australia and Victoria, before giving the game away to further his football ambitions. Because of his cricketing commitments, Bradley missed most of the 1983 pre-season with Port, but it made little difference, because he had another dominant season for the Magpies and was named All Australian for the first time. Two more Port Adelaide Best and Fairests followed in 1984 and '85 – with the latter complemented by All Australian honours again. In that year of 1985, four South Australians were named as All Australians; Bradley, Stephen Kernahan, Peter Motley and John Platten – and to the chagrin and envy of every other VFL club (especially Essendon) the first three all signed to play with Carlton. In the following year that trio of stars took to VFL football like they were born to it, and a time of bubbling confidence began for the Old Dark Navy Blues. Braddles wasted little time in announcing his arrival into the upper echelons of our national game by playing in the 1986 Grand Final in his debut season at Princes Park; the same year he won his first Carlton Best and Fairest award in a tie with Wayne Johnston. The Blues lost heavily to Hawthorn on Grand Final day, but twelve months later bounced back to snatch the 1987 flag from the Hawks in Bradley’s 47th senior match. By then, he was already a budding champion whose amazing stamina was too much for almost every opponent. He simply ran his taggers into the ground, and he was as effective in the last minutes of a game as he was at the start. He won two more Carlton Best and Fairest awards in 1988 and 1993, and by the end of his superb career had been an All Australian six times. Aged 32, he picked up his second Premiership winner’s medallion in 1995 when the unstoppable Kernahan-led Blues demolished Geelong in a one-sided Grand Final, but those who thought he might retire after that triumph were right off the mark. He still had his zip, his footy smarts and his brilliant foot skills, and he had transformed himself from a purely attacking weapon into an equally-effective sweeper across half-back. And to cap off a memorable season, he became one of only a handful of players to be inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame while still playing out their career. In 1997, at the age of 34, Bradley won the Sunday Age Footballer of the Year award. ”It’s not the end of the world when you reach 30,” he said in a blunt response to those who kept asking how long he intended going on – to his considerable annoyance. After being named All Australian yet again that year, he answered all those sorts of questions when he was appointed captain of his beloved Blues in 1998 – after the retirement of his great mate ‘Sticks’ Kernahan. Braddles led the Blues into another Grand Final in 1999, but the Wayne Carey-inspired Kangaroos proved just too good. Further indication of Craig Bradley’s enduring ability was his record in the often controversial and passionately-contested International Rules Series against Ireland. He first played for his country in 1984, and was recalled again in 2000. He was appointed captain of Australia in 2001, and played a fourth round of matches in 2002 at the age of 38 – a truly amazing achievement. In the millennium year of 2000, the honours kept rolling in for Braddles when he was included in both Carlton and Port Adelaide’s Team of the Century. In turn this raised the usual debate over why he had never won the game’s most prestigious individual award, the Brownlow Medal. The answer was apparently found when former field umpire Peter Cameron was interviewed, and he revealed that during most games, Bradley regularly back-chatted the men with the whistle. “He’s in the umpire’s ear all the time,’ said Cameron. By circumstance, Braddles wore his iconic number 21 guernsey for the last time against Port Adelaide at Princes Park in round 19, 2002. Carlton lost the match by 9 points, and Bradley suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung in a heavy collision. Even so, he was an almost unanimous choice as Best on Ground and was given three Brownlow Medal votes by the umpires. A few weeks later, Bradley’s farewell was typical of his nature. There was no big press conference, no stage-managed extravaganza. Instead, he issued a written statement through the AFL that caught everyone – including the Carlton Football Club by complete surprise. It read (in part); I have many people to thank and will do so in the coming weeks. I would however like to thank the Carlton Football Club and the Port Adelaide Football Club for many wonderful times and for their influence in helping to shape my life. To leave the game with a bit left in the tank and in good personal form makes me feel good. Since the foundation of the VFL in 1897, only three men (Michael Tuck, Kevin Bartlett and Simon Madden) have played more senior games than Craig Edwin Bradley of Carlton. A true Blue champion, he is one of only ten official Carlton Legends, and in 2006 was Carlton’s 17th inductee into the AFL Hall of Fame. In October 2006, it was announced that Bradley would return to the club for season 2007 as an assistant to senior coach Brett Ratten – a role he filled with the same intensity as he showed on the field. Bradley holds the club record for most career disposals, kicks, handballs, & Brownlow votes with totals of 8776, 5876, 2900 & 144 respectively.Pewter MugTOM ALVIN PERPETUAL TROPHY Presented Latrobe Valley Hyundai Best & Donated 1997 Craig Bradley