Historical information

Presented by W Hampson, Used & loved by Rowland Hill and skillfully weilded by him in many matches played for Harcourt cricket club. Harcourt was admitted to the Bendigo District Cricket association in 1924. Formed from a small community it was said “ everyone played cricket in Harcourt” Most of the players lived on fruit orchards, owned the status symbol of the time – a motor car- and were widely regarded as people of substance. Clearly they possessed the necessary pre-requisites for acceptance into the wider cricket community.

Significance

Dates from the era when ‘gentlemen’ played cricket. Also notable for its connection with Colonel Robert Gartside, who was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on 8/05/1915

Physical description

Timber cricket bat with partially bound handle, split corner, many indentations and gilt lettering

Inscriptions & markings

Harcourt CC Capt R Gartside Mr W Hampson, Best Bowling Average