This award was given to Charlie Bradley upon the occassion of his 1000th wicket, by the Victorian Blind Cricket Association. It consists of a round cricket ball sized wire frame with black nylon tubing wrapped around it, and bottle tops to create sound.1 black nylon cricket ball with metal bellsrecreation, victorian blind cricket association, charlie bradley

Blind cricket had been played since 1922 and originated in Melbourne, yet had no permanent home. In 1926, William Paterson (who had helped establish the first retirement home for the blind in Brighton,) approached Council asking if a section of land fronting Glenferrie Road could be used by blind sporting groups. The Council agreed, upon the proviso that a trust be set up (and one of the trustees be the Town Clerk) and that if the land was not used for recreation or sporting purposes, they would have first option to buy it back. Under this agreement, the first blind cricket oval was established and on the 7th April 1928 the first ball was bowled at a competition between the Victorian Blind Cricket Association and interstate teams. To commemorate this event and the man who helped it come about, this marker (part of the Federation Markers project, jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and Stonnington Council,) was placed.1 plastic sign with images and wordingWorld's First Sports Ground for Blind Cricketers On 7 April 1928 the playing field at this location was inaugurated as the World's first permanent sports ground for blind cricketers when the first ball was bowled at a competition between the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind and the Association for the Advancement of the Blind, both now known as Vision Australia. Mr William Paterson, a volunteer worker and advocate for blind people for over 60 years, was instrumental in obtaining access to these facilities on behalf of the cricketers.victorian blind cricket association, association for the blind, william paterson, cricket

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

Paterson Hall Story is told through the reminiscences of 23 people who played an active part in the life of a popular recreational and entertainment hub from 1929 to 1999. They relate how a simple concrete structure in Glenferrie Road, Kooyong became a 'home away from home' for people who were blind or vision impaired, their families and friends. The hall was originally built as a clubhouse for blind cricketers in 1927, but by 1929 it had been extended to include a social hall and other facilities including a verandah where spectators could watch the cricket. Over the years the hall was used for activities as diverse as square dancing, singing, craft classes, ball games, art and craft shows, drama groups and annual meetings.60 MP3 sound files of oral history interviews and book excerptsNarrated by Maurice Lockie, Bill Charles and Norah Tooheypaterson hall, association for the advancement of the blind, victorian blind cricket association

Plaque commemorating the support of Alfred E. Clarke. A passionate supporter of Blind Cricket for 20 years, he was taken ill whilst umpiring a match and passed away at his Middle Park home on November 28th, 1950. Mr Clarke was one of South Melbourne's best cricketers in his youth, and after retirement continued his involvement in the sport he loved through committee and various management roles. He continued to watch matches with his friend Sam Morris - a fellow South Melbourne player who have gone blind - and became involved with the Blind Cricket Association, spending most weekends umpiring matches. Source: Record (Emerald Hill), Sat 2 Dec 1950, p4 "The Final Call" http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article164499137Metal plaque attached to woodIn Memory Of Alfred E. Clarke Obit. November 28th 1950 A True Friend of the Blindassociation for the advancement of the blind, nameplates, victorian blind cricket association

This agreement between the Association for Advancement the Blind and Trustees (namely William Henry Paterson, Howard Murray Lightfoot and Arthur Malvern Yeatman) lays out the terms and conditions surrounding the Association's access and usage of the Kooyong recreation grounds and club-house. The agreement is dated 14th February 1951, and is signed by the three Trustees, as well as members of the General Committee, namely Bruce Small, W.J.S. Horsfall and Edwin Dean, as well as Secretary G. R. Fowler. There are 2 copies held. 2 pages of typed legal agreementassociation for the advancement of the blind, william paterson, h.m. lightfoot, arthur yeatman, victorian blind cricket association, victorian blind soccer association, kooyong club house

Brief overview of the establishment of a blind cricket ground at Kooyong and growth of services for blind and vision impaired by the Association for the Blind.16 pages of text and illustrationsassociation for the blind, victorian blind cricket association

The black nylon blind cricket ball was in use since 1974 until the end of the 2002/2003 season. It was hand woven around a wire frame, with lead for weight and bottle tops for sound placed inside.1 black nylon cricket ball with metal bellsrecreation, victorian blind cricket association

This cricket ball is made of cane wicker and was used in cricket games with visually impaired players by people who lived or were educated at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind from the 1920's through till 1972. It is a circular shape made of plaited strips of woven natural cane and is lighter than a conventional cricket ball. The hollow center of the ball contains pieces of twisted metal pieces which rattle as the ball is moved to aid players in tracking the ball's movement. The stumps also had bells attached so fielders knew when the batsman was out. Blind cricket was invented in Melbourne in 1922 when two blind factory workers started playing a game using a tin can containing rocks. The game soon gained popularity and the Victorian Blind Cricketers' Association was formed. Mr William Paterson, a volunteer worker and advocate for blind people for over 60 years, was instrumental in acquiring and developing the sports ground and clubhouse in Glenferrie Road Kooyong, Victoria on behalf of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind (now called Vision Australia). In 1928 play began on the world's first sports ground for blind cricketers, in the first official blind cricket match. Blind cricket is now played internationally. This particular cricket ball was awarded to William Paterson Esq in 1928 in recognition of his support in establishing the world's first blind cricket ground in Kooyong. On the front of this ball is attached a small metal crest with an inscription: 'Presented to W.H. Paterson, Esq as a token of esteem for his interest in Blind cricket being the first ball bowled on the cricket ground for Blind Kooyong 7. 4.28'.1 wicker cricket ball with metal shield attached and metal bells in the hollow centre'Presented to W.H. Paterson, Esq / as a token of esteem for his/ interest in Blind cricket/ being the first ball bowled /on the cricket /ground for Blind /Kooyong / 7. 4.28'. recreation, cricket, awards

Order of Service and prayers offered in memory of Peter Baker, Victorian Blind Bowler's Association President and lifelong supporter of the Melbourne Football and Cricket clubs. Please note: missing second page of service through omission.8 pages with picture of Peter Baker on covernon-fictionelizabeth maxwell, neil maxwell, peter baker

Blank letterhead for documents sent out by the Victorian Blind Sports Association, during 1980's and possibly early 1990's. Logo consists of a large V, with an upside smaller v between to turn the middle into a diamond shape. Three circles overlap across the middle of the diamond/V.Blank A4 paper with Vic Blind Sports logo, address and list of sports covered at basenon-fictionVictorian Blind Sports Association All correspondence to: SECRETARY C/- 454 Glenferrie Road, KOOYONG, 3144 Telephone: 20-8876 Patron: Mr John Cain Premier of Victoria (At base of page:) Affiliated bodies - Cricket, Lawn Bowls, Olympic Sports, Square Dancing, Swish, Skiing, Indoor Bias Bowls and Goal Ball Donations of $2.00 and over are Tax Deductible.elizabeth maxwell, neil maxwell, victorian blind sports association, office equipment and supplies