HELD ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH, 2003

VENUE :	McKINNON CRICKET CLUB
PRESIDENT & HOST :	PETER MARSHALL
MASTER OF CEREMONIES:	JASON WATTS

      

Within the relaxed atmosphere of the McKinnon social rooms, over 100 people gathered to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of one of Melbourne’s best cricket clubs.  As players, supporters and friends from bygone eras gathered, the President of McKinnon Cricket Club, Mr. Peter Marshall, welcomed all to this auspicious occasion.

During the evening some of McKinnon’s greatest players and most dedicated servants were honoured with plaques of recognition as a gesture of the Club’s gratitude.

With McKinnon being fortunate enough to have so many fantastic contributors over the last 75 years, the selection of people honoured on the evening was always going to be a hard task for the panel to undertake.  However, all of the people honoured received the glowing endorsement of the guests.

SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTION

Peter Scott               Doug Murdoch        Don Brown               Ken Hilton

LONG TERM SPONSORS

Conway Heating & Cooling                             Gillott Removals

In celebrating our 75^th Year, the Sub-Committee has seen fit to strike a Legend’s Board.  To be named a Legend of McKinnon Cricket Club you must have contributed to the success of the Club, both on and off the field.  A Legend must be a Life Member who has left their mark on the Club as a shining example for others to follow.  There can only be a maximum of two people added to the Legend’s Honour Board each year.  On this evening, the Honour Board began with the naming of six people who set the standard as McKinnon Cricket Club Legends:

CLUB LEGENDS:

                  Russell Cleland

                        Ken Dowling

                        Rick Gough

                        Rick Pullman

                        Gary Watts

                        Peter Watts

In a surprise announcement, Mrs Jill Watts presented the Club with the jumper and hat proudly worn by Club Legend, Peter Watts.  Mr. Peter Marshall gratefully accepted the gift and stated that it shall take pride of place hanging within the walls of our great Club.

Once again, the generosity of the people from McKinnon was on display with dozens of auction items being sold on the night to raise valuable funds for our growing Club.

In the 1920’s, McKinnon consisted of a few friends playing cricket on privately owned land.  Then, in 1924, the land was sold and it was feared that McKinnon would disband.  However, in true McKinnon spirit, we re-grouped and got the Members’ and Council approval needed to begin playing again as soon as possible.  In the season of 1927/1928 McKinnon Cricket Club began playing competitive cricket in the local league.  Today we boast seven senior teams, five junior sides and ninety kids aged between five and ten eager to start representing McKinnon involved in the Milo program.

With 75 years of experience behind us, McKinnon’s future is looking just as bright and exciting as it’s past.  There can be no doubt that in 2027/28, at our Centenary Gala Evening, McKinnon will still continue to be a successful Club to be a member of, and to be proud of.