Celebrating 175 years - Melbourne Cricket Club

March 2013 | No. 153 | ISSN 1322-3771
MCC CRICKET WRAP SINGAPORE VISIT FUNCTIONS NEWS
MCC News
Celebrating 175 years

CLUB NEWS
Farewell to the
master’s voice
Tony Charlton, who died on
December 17 aged 83, was a
peerless broadcaster and a
master of the MC’s craft. His
contribution over 25 years to MCC
functions brought a new dimension to
many events, most notably the
Members’ Dinner and The Bradman
Luncheon, which he helped pioneer in
2001.
His funeral in the Members Dining
Room at the MCG had Charlton
written all over it. But was it the
father or the son (Jon)? In typical
fashion, Tony had roughed out the
service long before illness came
calling. So the structure was there but
the genes shone through as Jon
masterminded a brilliant presentation
that recalled virtually every element of
his old man’s repertoire.
There was Alan Kogosowski on the
baby grand, a drummer and piper
from the Victorian Police Pipe Band, a
bugler for the Last Post accompanied
by Kogosowski – a deft touch – and a
knockout finale with Judith Durham’s
a cappella rendition of The Carnival is
Over. Appropriately, Tim Lane was
MC.
Brilliant eulogies by MCC president
Paul Sheahan and Jon Charlton told
us of a very talented and caring person
whose network of business and
personal contacts was staggering. Left
untold was his quiet commitment to
those “in trouble”, the ill and the
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elderly, who he would visit at the drop
of a hat.
The funeral attracted more than
850 a few days before Christmas.
Most were mourners with personal
memories of a fine fellow who
touched many. The service and
accoutrements were so impressive
you’d have sworn the great man was
still with us.
We’ve recounted Tony’s
accomplishments in these pages
before. Few could match his
contribution to club and community
and we’ve lost an irreplaceable
member of the MCC family.
Hundreds of friends and family turned
out to honour Tony Charlton. His son Jon
(right) paid tribute to his late father in a
memorable service.
Our Cover
Scenes from our past: The
MCC team to tour England
in 1886 is surrounded by
the evolution of the MCC
Members Pavilion
throughout the club’s 175-
year history.
Football returns
Many months of off-field news and controversy
will be put to one side when the 2013 AFL home
and away season gets underway in late-March.
The MCG will host 45 matches in the home and
away season, commencing with Carlton v Richmond
on Thursday March 28 and followed by two other
matches over the Easter weekend. Melbourne will
play Port Adelaide on Easter Sunday (March 31), while
keen rivals Geelong Cats and Hawthorn resume
hostilities on Easter Monday (April 1).
Visitor tickets and reserved seats for the first 22
rounds went on sale on Wednesday February 27.
There is a limit of four visitor tickets per member
for all matches except Anzac Day (two per member).
Tickets to Round 23 will be available
from Wednesday August 14, after the
AFL finalises the schedule for that
round.
Further details about all
arrangements for members during
the football season are contained in
an eight-page guide accompanying
this newsletter and the guide is also
posted on the website.
2 MCC NEWS March 2013

CLUB NEWS
From the President
Paul Sheahan
It’s that time of year when I have an
opportunity to “free range” over a
number of topics that interest me.
Whether they interest you, the reader, I do
not know but at least I will feel better
having expressed my views!
We have just completed one of the most
unsatisfactory international cricket seasons
at the ’G with the playing of the final
one-day international on February 10. I say
that it was unsatisfactory because, at the
greatest cricket stadium in the world, we
have seen a total of five-and-a-half days of
the game played at international level.
Without wishing to point the finger
directly at any individual, it seems
inconceivable to me that the Test matches
finish so early in the season and that one of
the competitors in the limited overs form of
the game sneaks into the country
unannounced, is trounced and departs
again before the public has been given a
chance to gain some knowledge of who they
are.
The scheduling seems to be dictated by
the Indian Premier League, a forgettable
form of the game if there is one, the equally
unmemorable T20 Big Bash League and the
desires of the television broadcasters to fit
in with their global programming.
Is the public confused by the rather
staccato manner in which the season
unfolds? Are they sick of paying high
admission prices? Are they tired of crowd
behavior that occasionally sweeps up the
innocent with the guilty? Can they watch too
much on television from the comfort of
their homes?
Is enough cricket being played for the
game to form part of their summer
thinking? There was not an international
game played at the ’G between the end of
the Boxing Day Test on December 28 and
the one-day international on January 11,
followed by the T20 between Australia and
Sri Lanka more than a fortnight later on
January 28 – a long time between drinks for
a sport-hungry city.
There are many questions for Cricket
Australia and the International Cricket
Council (ICC) to ponder about their
programming in the future. At least
Melbourne will host a Test match of
significance next Boxing Day when the
Englishmen are here. And don’t we
relish that prospect!
Following that we are hoping to host
plenty of cricket, including the final of
the ICC World Cup in 2015. They will be
thrilling matches and a Melbourne
crowd would embellish the contests
considerably.
Moving to a brighter subject, members
will be aware that a regulation now limits the
time of committee members to three terms
of three years. Because this regulation was
“grandfathered” in 2004, we will see the
retirement of four committee members over
the next two years. The first to step down will
be vice-president David Crawford.
David joined the committee in 1997 and
has been a magnificent worker for the club.
Having been elected to the vice-presidency,
he took on chairing the Grounds Subcommittee
and it is no coincidence that
matters associated with operations at the
ground are running so smoothly and
efficiently.
We shall miss the monumental and varied
skills that David has acquired through his
associations with businesses at the highest
level in Australia and has brought to
committee considerations.
At the same time as expressing our deep
gratitude to him, we wish him well for what
we hope will be a slightly less frenetic time
for him. At this point I also express our
sincere thanks to David’s wife Maureen who
has helped us to entertain in the Committee
Room, and in other places, with grace,
warmth and style.
In a world where governance carries much
greater responsibility than it might have in
the past, we have engaged an executive
search firm, Amrop Cordiner King, to assist
us in identifying suitable replacements for
those stepping down from the committee.
If Full club members are interested in
serving on the committee, they are
encouraged to express that interest to Amrop
Cordiner King, bearing in mind that there is
a range of skills that the club seeks to
embrace through committee membership.
On behalf of the club I wish also to
farewell John Wylie as chairman of the
MCG Trust and to thank him for a mighty
job well done. John steps down after 13
years and will take on chairing the
Australian Sports Commission.
He has been a passionate supporter of
sport at the ’G and, though we might have
had our differences of opinion from time to
time, he has always had the best interests
of the ground at heart.
The fourth matter I wish to mention is
one that I have written about before.
Arguably the major issue we have on our
plates at the moment is how we should
deal with a growing waiting list and a
growing length of time between
nomination and the offer of Restricted
membership.
Currently that time is around 17 years
but, if nothing is done, we will see the
waiting time grow intolerably.
Several propositions have been brought
forward. Each has advantages and
disadvantages and we are working our way
through them in an endeavour to choose
the best course. But it is not a quick and
easy “fix”, so members and nominees will
have to be patient.
Finally, the cricket season makes way
for the 2013 football season in the
twinkling of an eye, and we hope to
present another dazzling array of matches
played in a spirit that embodies the best
ideals of sport!
Fred Oldfield joins committee
Fred Oldfield
The club is pleased to advise members that
Mr Fred Oldfield was appointed to the
MCC Committee in December, filling a
casual vacancy created by the retirement of Peter
Mitchell in 2011.
Mr Oldfield is currently a non-executive director
at Westbourne Capital, a funds management
company that invests in infrastructure debt.
He previously spent two years in the legal profession
(1981-1983) before a 16-year stint with investment
bank Potter Partners, which ultimately became UBS.
He also was executive director of Hopkins
Partners Funds Management (1999-2001)
and manager of strategic development and
stakeholder relations at Transurban (2001-06).
An MCC member since 1982, Mr Oldfield
serves as a trustee of the Melbourne Football
Club’s Red and Blue Foundation. He has been
president of Glen Iris Junior Football Club for the
past two seasons.
March 2013
MCC NEWS
3

Time called for
gentleman David
His corporate connections were many
and his clout in high places
considerable, so the club was
fortunate indeed to have David Crawford
sitting around the committee table for more
than 15 years before his mandatory
retirement on March 19.
Acknowledged by former president David
Meiklejohn as especially valuable in our
negotiations with stakeholders over a long
period as committeeman, treasurer and
vice-president, the Crawford years started
with a bang as the club’s ground management
role came under threat following changes to
the MCG Trust in 1998.
The Meiklejohn recollection was of a
senior businessman (BHP, Foster’s, Lend
Lease et al) who had contacts galore among
all of our key stakeholders and the
government. “His views and advice were
respected by everyone,” said David, who
particularly admired his common-sense
approach to issues.
David Crawford would be reluctant to
accept such praise, claiming only to have
been part of a team that helped to negotiate
arrangements with the AFL and the cricket
bodies that secured the club’s tenure at the
MCG and facilitated redevelopment of the
ground.
“I was lucky that my professional career
allowed me to work with the AFL and the
cricket people over the years, and of course
that proved useful to the club,” was his modest
assessment. This, from a man who authored
four comprehensive Crawford Reports into
structural reform involving the AFL, cricket,
soccer and the future of sport in Australia!
MCG TRUST CHIEF LEAVES A LASTING LEGACY
John Wylie
CLUB NEWS
He credited David Meiklejohn with
running the 2002-06 redevelopment project
from the committee’s perspective and was
effusive in his praise of CEO Stephen Gough
and his team’s outstanding work on that
mammoth project.
In later and less hectic years he has chaired
the sub-committees responsible for the
refurbishment of the Great Southern Stand
and the Yarra Park revitalisation project,
which has guaranteed an abundant supply of
water for the MCG precinct in perpetuity.
Both projects had the financial support of
the State Government and David sees this
The big ground lost a most enthusiastic
and influential figurehead with the
retirement in March of MCG Trust chairman
John Wylie, who had been steering the
sporting ship since 1999.
His 14-year tenure covered perhaps the
most dynamic period in the ground’s history
with long-term agreements being forged
between the trust, the MCC, the AFL and the
cricket bodies to facilitate massive projects
such as the redevelopment of the northern
side of the MCG.
John Wylie was often central and critical
to the negotiations surrounding the ground’s
relationship with its various stakeholders,
most notably the AFL and the State
Government where his political savvy and
commercial acumen shone through.
He chaired the MCG redevelopment
steering committee and took particular
XXXXX
David Crawford and (top) with former Governor of Victoria and MCC committeeman John Landy.
involvement in MCC affairs as integral to
our management – not ownership – of the
MCG on behalf of the Victorian government
and its public.
With some freeing up of a busy schedule,
we wondered what eventual retirement might
bring. “Well, I’m ringing from Vail,
Colorado, in a party of 18 on a skiing
holiday. A group of us have been skiing
together for more than 40 years, since
university days.”
We get the drift, David. Thanks for a
mighty contribution to the MCC and to
sport generally.
interest in the establishment of the
National Sports Museum in the new
northern stand, leading the chase in
securing $25 million from the Federal
Government to fund the fit-out.
More recently, in 2009 he assisted the
club in securing a five-year extension to
the ground’s lynchpin contract with the AFL
and two years later helped a popular cause
in having live gambling odds banned from
being broadcast on the MCG screens.
Another important initiative was
bringing Yarra Park under the wing of the
trust with management delegated to the
MCC, another demonstration of the trust’s
close working relationship with the club.
John won’t be lost to sport, however,
having accepted the position of chair
of the Australian Sports Commission
in Canberra.
4 MCC NEWS March 2013

CLUB NEWS
Join us in a birthday
celebration
LEFT: Early days… Our first Pavilion
(1853) provides a restful backdrop to this
photograph of Tom Wills with members of
an aboriginal team that played the MCC in
December 1866. Note the curator’s cottage
at rear and the middle gable of the Pavilion,
which contains a clock (obscured) that still
beats truly 150 years after its installation
in 1863. You’ll find it mounted above the
escalators leading to the Percy Beames Bar
on Level 2. History lives.
To many cricket fans, it’s a bumper
Ashes year. For the MCC, however,
2013 represents the 175th
anniversary of the club’s formation, and
that’s cause for celebration.
From April 1 until the end of this year
there will be a number of opportunities for
members, waiting list candidates and the
public to join us in marking a milestone for
one of Victoria’s oldest institutions that has
been an integral part of Melbourne life since
establishment in 1838.
Much of the focus will centre on the
weekend of November 15-17, coinciding
with the birth of the club, when we plan to
hold several events at the MCG.
The MCC was founded on November 15,
1838 when five men - Frederick Powlett,
Robert Russell, George B. Smyth and
brothers Alfred and Charles Mundy - agreed
to form a cricket club to be known as the
Melbourne Cricket Club.
Two days later, after purchasing the
necessary cricket equipment, the members
of the Melbourne Cricket Club played their
first match, among themselves, near the
former Royal Mint site in William Street.
The MCC was prominent in developing the
colony’s cricket and played a major role in
guiding the game until after the turn of the
20th century. For example, the club sponsored
four Australian teams to England and eight
visits to Australia between 1879 and 1905.
Alf Batchelder’s estimable book on the
history of the club, Pavilions in the Park,
outlines the club’s early days:
“The first members were pastoralists,
government officials, bankers, insurance men
and merchants. In the main, their presence in
the colony was a direct result of the
opportunities generated by the wool industry.
For men in their late twenties or their
thirties, the club offered a means of
recreation and of socialising with one
another. The concept of playing matches
against any other group was very low on
their priorities.
Initially, it was not intended to establish a
club in perpetuity – until well into 1840s, the
MCC and other sporting clubs in Melbourne
As readers will have noted on
the front cover, the club has
struck a new logo for use
during our 175th anniversary
year.
Used in conjunction with the
existing MCC logo, rather than
replacing it, the new look is
based on the idea of a sparkler
and the sensory experience of
celebration.
The fluid and dynamic motion
symbolises the continual
progression of the MCC as an
organisation, always moving
forward and improving the club
and ground.
re-formed annually as the season for their
activities approached.”
And so 175 years of club sport, evolving
into today’s model of stadium manager,
heritage preserver, tourism operator and
custodian of public parkland, was under way.
For more information about the MCC’s
175th anniversary, keep an eye on our
website and social media channels in the
coming weeks. MCC members and their
families are encouraged to participate in the
festivities and join us in celebrating this
remarkable milestone.
MCC ID VALUED HIGHLY
We doubt that our electronic
membership cards will be
keenly sought in 100 years’ time,
but the old MCC badges, first
introduced in 1901, have certainly
become a valuable item going by
the results of a recent Charles
Leski auction.
The first badge, which featured
the coat of arms of the city of
Melbourne and was undated, sold
for 10 times the auctioneer’s
estimate and an incomplete set
brought more than $14,000, a sure
indication that our badges have
become a favourite among
collectors.
A complete set of Full members’
badges is on display in the MCC
Museum.
An interesting feature of the
badges is that the designer’s
version of the MCC logo, first seen
on the 1902-03 edition, changes
almost annually, something that
would be heresy under today’s style
guide constraints.
Before the badges were
introduced, a member’s folding
card (left), signed by the office
bearers of the day, was in vogue.
If you happen to come across one,
please let us know.
March 2013
MCC NEWS
5

CLUB NEWS
Sleep at the ’G
The MCG will open its doors on
Thursday April 18 for Melbourne City
Mission’s Sleep at the ’G event, which
is designed to raise funds for Victoria’s most
vulnerable individuals, families and
communities.
Participants will gain a sense of what it is
like to live on the streets, as more than 22,000
Victorians do each night. The concept is simple
but sends a powerful message.
You’ll have a cardboard box to sleep on,
soup and bread rolls for dinner and the sounds
of the night to accompany you, albeit with
some light entertainment within the secure
environment of the MCG.
Established in 1854, Melbourne City
Mission is Melbourne’s first charity. It has been
around for almost as long as the MCG itself.
With a vision of “a fair and just community
where people have equal access to
opportunities and resources”, Melbourne City
Mission helps people and communities to
develop pathways away from disadvantage.
So, we encourage all members to help the
plight of our homeless by spending an autumn
night at the ’G, or set up your own fundraising
event for this worthy cause.
To register your interest, or to find out
more, visit www.sleepattheg.com.au today.
Stadium Stomp no
walk in the park
There have been some extremely fit
individuals who have graced the MCG
turf in its grand history, but one wonders
how many would have coped with the latest
challenge on offer at the mighty ground.
On Sunday June 16 the MCC is
partnering with King Performance to
deliver a unique participation event called
Stadium Stomp MCG.
The first of its type in Australia,
thousands of people will climb up and
down more than 7000 steps over four
kilometres on the top and bottom levels of
the MCG grandstands, finishing on the
arena.
It’s a unique fitness challenge that will
appeal to those keen to find new ways to
test themselves.
You can register as a team or individual
and there’s also an opportunity to
fundraise for charity.
For more information, visit
www.stadiumstomp.com.au.
Water recycling facility is an award winner
The water recycling facility located in
Yarra Park, adjacent to Gate 2 at the
MCG, was recognised with
the Infrastructure Project Innovation Award at
the Australian Water Association Awards
(Victorian Branch) in December.
The $24 million project was funded by the
MCC ($18m) and the Victorian Government
($6m) and is the cornerstone of our long-term
vision for the health and wellbeing of Yarra
Park for all users.
More than 180 million litres of recycled
water will be produced each year and reused
primarily as irrigation in Yarra Park and at
nearby Punt Road Oval, as well as for cleaning
and toilet flushing at the MCG. Now in full
operation, the facility will reduce the MCC’s
use of potable water by about 50 per cent.
Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh
Delahunty, said the Victorian Government was
a proud funding partner in improving the
sustainability of Yarra Park.
“This award is a fitting acknowledgment of a
project which is protecting and securing the
future of Yarra Park as an important
community asset for many years to come,” Mr
Delahunty said.
The water recycling facility reuses sewage
from the local sewer network and is one of the
first of its type in Victoria built underground
and out of view, ensuring minimal impact on
the amenity of the park.
Tenix was commissioned to design and build
the facility. The judges were particularly
impressed with this high-tech plant producing
recycled water underground daily in such a
small space, as well as the novel approach to
construction.
“The Yarra Park facility is a unique,
high-profile ‘proof-of-concept’ example that
will serve as a benchmark and focus of learning
for the water industry, not just in Victoria but
across Australia,” said Tenix CEO Ross Taylor.
The recycled water treatment process consists
of screening and grit removal, biological
treatment of the sewage and chemical addition
for phosphate removal, filtration via membrane
bioreactor (MBR) and ultrafiltration membrane
systems and disinfection per medium of
ultraviolet and chlorination.
Construction commenced in May 2011 and
was completed in October 2012 after a
comprehensive testing regime to ensure the
water quality met EPA guidelines.
With a permanent water supply to the park,
work is now proceeding on a comprehensive
landscape upgrade that, in time, will ensure the
“front door” to the MCG is as green as the
famous sward inside the stadium.
6 MCC NEWS March 2013

CLUB NEWS
It’s au revoir to Frenchy
It seemed that nearly everybody who might
have crossed Peter French’s path during
his 35-year career with the MCC attended
a gala dinner in his honour on November 30,
such was the throng of familiar faces in the
Members Dining Room to mark his
retirement from the club at 62.
The dinner doubled as a reunion for the
scores of fellow employees, business
associates, MCC contractors and sporting
mates who had plenty of memories to share
and stories they couldn’t necessarily tell about
the ubiquitous “Frenchy”.
The predictably brilliant speech rendered by
president Paul Sheahan was generous in its
praise for the contribution of Peter in so many
guises and over such a long period. He
thanked Peter’s wife Jennifer for her support
of him over the years, noting that “behind
every successful man is a surprised woman.”
We didn’t have the stopwatch on Frenchy
when he took to the lectern but there’s a
suspicion he might have broken all Members
Dining Room records with both the length
and breadth of his response, mentioning so
many of his guests in a panoramic discourse
where few were spared.
He hit the mark, however. As Coodabeen
Champion Ian Cover later noted: “There were
wives and partners there who may not have
known much about Peter or the club, but he
stopped short of making his tales too ‘in’, so
everyone was entertained roundly.
“I thought much of what transpired put the
club into Melbourne Cricket Club.”
All the Coodabeens were present. Greg
Champion penned a song about Frenchy and
Tony Leonard, a guest in his own right, joined
Cover for an impromptu – and hilarious –
edition of Tony’s Talkback.
Peter French started work as a clerk with
Ian Johnson when the club’s offices were at 26
Jolimont Terrace and the number of full-time
staff members was in single figures. He left the
club to pursue his aims in the sports
administration field and spent five years as
general manager of the VAFA before being
lured back to the MCC in 1989 as an
assistant to secretary John Lill.
He later occupied various senior positions
within the club and had a role to play in all of
the major undertakings such as the Great
Southern Stand project, the reconstruction of
the arena, preparation of the ground for
Olympic soccer and the daddy of ‘em all, the
redevelopment of the northern side of the
ground in 2002-06.
Job well done, Peter. Enjoy the golf.
Greg Champion sang (top), and Peter and Jennifer
French bid farewell to the club at a gala dinner
party on November 30.
John Cain steps down from Trust
The MCG lost a champion advocate with
the expiration in January of John Cain’s
term as a trustee of the ground since 1982,
punctuated only a by a year’s absence in 1999
when politics intervened.
At no stage did the former Premier’s
commitment to the MCG soften over that
30-year span.
“From the outset I believed government had
an important role to play in the affairs of the
ground, given that public land was being
administered by a private club on behalf of
government-appointed trustees,” Mr Cain said.
“As Premier and trustee, I took a very
active interest and during busy periods I
sometimes hosted Trust meetings in the
Cabinet Room because I believed I should
attend and the government should always be
at the table.”
John Cain has often extolled the virtues of
what he regards as a unique model, financial
and otherwise, whereby government, trust
and club maintain and improve a huge, worldclass
stadium on public land on behalf of the
people of Victoria.
He also has long campaigned for the rights
Former Victorian Premier John Cain, pictured
here with wife Nancye, has completed a long and
active span as an MCG Trustee.
and considerations of public patrons to be
foremost in the deliberations of trustees and
the ground managers, the MCC Honorary Life
member reiterating his concerns about
“creeping commercialism” to the last.
John’s heart has certainly been in the right
place and we doubt there has been a more
robust proponent of the ground and its
structure since the first blade was scythed in
1853. Thank you, Mr Cain.
March 2013
MCC NEWS
7

SPORTS HERITAGE
Fast bowlers
join hall
of fame
Former Australian fast bowlers Glenn
McGrath and Charlie Turner are this
year’s inductees into the Australian
Cricket Hall of Fame (ACHoF).
Inducted at the Allan Border Medal dinner
on February 4, McGrath and Turner had
much in common despite careers more than
a century apart.
Tall, right-arm fast bowlers, both men hailed
from country New South Wales. Each was the
outstanding Australian fast bowler of his era
and their superb records demonstrate the
dominance each had over opposition batsmen
over a prolonged period.
Thrust into Test cricket in 1993 after limited
first-class experience with New South Wales,
McGrath became by far the greatest Australian
fast bowler of his generation.
In a 14-year Test career spanning 124
matches, McGrath’s 563 wickets at 21.64 is the
highest tally by a fast bowler and fourthhighest
of all-time. His unrelenting accuracy
and immaculate length also posed problems for
batsmen in limited overs internationals and his
381-wicket haul is the sixth-highest in history.
In the 2007 World Cup, McGrath’s swansong
for Australia, he took a record 26 wickets and
was named Man of the Tournament.
Winner of the Allan Border Medal (2000)
and named as aWisden Cricketer of the Year in
1998, McGrath was inducted into the ICC
Hall of Fame last December.
Charlie Turner was a formidable opponent,
particularly on wet surfaces.
Possessing a rhythmic run and a square-on
action at the point of delivery, Turner took
6/15 on Test debut at Sydney in 1887.
In 17 Test matches between 1887 and 1895
– all against England – Turner took 101
wickets at 16.53, the best average by an
Australian bowler with more than 100 wickets.
He was largely responsible for England’s lowest
Test score – 45 – when he took 6/15.
Turner is the first and only bowler to take
100 wickets in an Australian first-class season.
He took 992 wickets in a first-class career
spanning 15 years and in 2008 was one of the
inaugural 11 members of the New South Wales
Cricket Hall of Fame.
The ACHoF, housed in the MCG’s National
Sports Museum, was established by the MCC
in 1996 with 10 inaugural inductees and now
honours 37 of our Test-playing greats.
The selection panel comprises MCC
committee member David Crow (chairman),
former Test captains Bill Lawry, Mark Taylor
and Richie Benaud, Australian Cricketers’
Association chief executive Paul Marsh,
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland and
media representatives Malcolm Conn and
Gideon Haigh.
TOP LEFT: Charlie Turner took 101 wickets in
just 17 Tests.
LEFT: Glenn McGrath was simply the best
paceman of his generation.
MORE OLYMPIC TORCHES
FOR NSM COLLECTION
The Australian Olympic Committee
(AOC) has donated two Olympic
torches for display in the National
Sports Museum at the MCG.
Chef de mission of the 2012 Australian
Olympic team and AOC executive member
Nick Green presented the London Olympic
Games torch to MCG Trust chairman John
Wylie at an Olympians Club of Victoria
dinner in November (right).
At the same function, chef de mission
of the 2010 Australian Olympic Winter
team and AOC executive member Ian
Chesterman presented the Vancouver
2010 Olympic Winter Games torch to
MCC president Paul Sheahan.
Both objects will be added to the
Faster, Higher, Stronger gallery in the
National Sports Museum, alongside
torches from every modern Olympics ever
staged bar one – the elusive Helsinki
torch from 1952.
8 MCC NEWS March 2013

SPORTS HERITAGE
Neil Harvey to join
sporting greats at the MCG
A
bronze statue of Australian cricket
great Neil Harvey will grace the Yarra
Park/MCG precinct before the end of
the year as the latest addition to the
prestigious Avenue of Legends project
sponsored by Australia Post.
Harvey will be in the safe hands of sculptor
Louis Laumen whose handiwork has been so
admired in the Tattersall’s Parade of
Champions statues ringing the MCG.
The Australia Post Avenue of Legends will see
a minimum of five statues placed in Yarra Park,
extending from the MCC members’ entrance up
an avenue towards Wellington Parade.
The first statue – that of cricketer Shane
Warne – was unveiled before the 2011 Boxing
Day Test, while a bronze sculpture of six-time
Melbourne premiership coach Norm Smith
was completed by Lis Johnson in September
last year.
Neil Harvey is one of the finest batsmen to
have played for Australia. In 79 Tests, starting
with a century on debut during Bradman’s
“Invincibles” tour of England in 1948,
the left-hander scored 6149 runs at 48.41,
with 21 centuries.
In 2000 he was inducted into the Australian
Cricket Hall of Fame and was also selected in
Australia’s Test Team of the 20th Century.
MCC Library cricket guru Ray Webster first
saw Harvey as a 10-year-old schoolboy and
was smitten.
“He was the No. 1 batsman in the world for
a decade and certainly belongs in that short list
of great players below Bradman,” said Ray.
“I saw him again against Peter May’s team
in 1958/59 at the MCG when he made 167.
He always had all the time in the world to play
his shots and was simply beautiful to watch.”
Louis Laumen was busy viewing “props”
when we spoke with him in February. He was
most impressed with a pair of boots from the
era (“It’s so important to get the detail right”)
and was searching for a pair of pleated,
high-waisted creams, a full-cut shirt, a jumper
typical of the fifties and a bat, perhaps one of
Harvey’s from the MCC collection.
He was also recruiting “life models”, men of
about 5ft 7in with the physique of Harvey so
that he can dress them and reconstruct the
approved pose. “That way I can see how the
clothing folds and so on as the shot is played,”
Neil Harvey’s classic batting style
he explained. “I take photos of the model and
then work from that.”
Louis expects to start on the Harvey statue
in May after he finishes another laudable
assignment – a statue of our first Olympic
champion, Edwin Flack, for Melbourne
Grammar School. His MCG work will be
unveiled in December.
Bert’s baggy green now at the MCG
The MCC added to its magnificent
collection of baggy green caps worn
by Australia’s Test cricketers in January
when it secured a cap worn by freakish
left-arm bowler Bert Ironmonger.
Ironmonger, who took 74 wickets at
17.79 in 14 Tests between 1928 and 1933,
was the fourth-oldest cricketer to make
his Test debut, first breaking into the
national team at the ripe old age of 45
years and 237 days.
He also played in the infamous
Bodyline series in 1932/33, took a
hat-trick for Victoria against England in
1925 and was selected in the MCC Team
of the Century in 1999.
Cecily Reeves, a cricketer herself in the
1940s and a passionate follower of
the game, donated the cap to the
museum in the name of the
Hamilton family, in memory of
her father Walter Hamilton.
In the 1930s, Ironmonger
had given his baggy green
cap to Walter, who was a
trainer at the St Kilda cricket
and football clubs for 25 years.
Hamilton handed it on to his son
Lawrence in the 1950s, but Lawrence’s
interest in cricket was minimal so he
passed it on to his sister’s husband, the
cricket-mad Walter Reeves.
“Walter played district cricket for
Essendon,” said his widow Cecily when she
visited the MCG to donate the cap.
“He only wore the cap once. He
put it on one day in a match
against Footscray. He made a
duck, so he never wore it again!”
The donation is another
opportunity to remind our
Australian cricketers that there is
no better place to secure such a
treasured memento, and display it for
future generations, than to donate it to the
club’s collection.
“We are delighted that an important
piece of Australian cricket history has
joined our collection,” said MCC curator
Helen Walpole. “We would love to hear
from other Australian cricketers or their
descendants who may have these
treasured baggy green caps and other
objects stored away.”
Footnote: While a fine bowler,
Ironmonger was pedestrian in the field
and as for his batting, A.G. Moyes coined
one of the great putdowns when he
noted: “He went to the wicket mostly as a
gesture to convention.”
Cecily Reeves (second from right), who has
donated Bert Ironmonger’s baggy green cap to
the MCC, with daughters Colette, Alison
and Judy.
March 2013
MCC NEWS
9

MCG EVENTS
Cricket’s next
generation
steps up
Australia’s transition to an era beyond
Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey
was one of the more intriguing
elements on show at the MCG during the
recently completed summer of cricket.
A total of 322,069 people attended the
MCG – a healthy portion of them MCC
members – to see the annual Boxing Day Test,
two one-day internationals, a Twenty20
international, four T20 Big Bash League (BBL)
matches and a steady diet of Sheffield Shield
and domestic one-day matches.
The most eventful contest was that between
cross-town rivals Melbourne Stars and
Melbourne Renegades in the BBL on January
6. A crowd of 46,581 – an Australian
domestic cricket record – saw the Renegades
win comfortably.
The attendance broke the previous record, also
at the MCG, which was set in January 2010
between Victoria and Tasmania in a BBL match.
The match, and the record crowd, was
overshadowed by an on-field confrontation
between Shane Warne, the Melbourne Stars
captain, and Marlon Samuels, the enigmatic
Renegades West Indies all-rounder. Both
players were charged with several breaches of
Cricket Australia’s Code of Behaviour.
After losing a tight Test series against world
champions South Africa in November and
early-December, and bidding farewell to the
retiring Ponting in the process, the Aussies arrived
at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test leading its
three-match series against Sri Lanka one-nil.
Less than two-and-a-half days later, to the
disappointment of those keen to see a lengthy
contest, Australia had trounced Sri Lanka by
an innings and 201 runs. The Test attendance
was an encouraging 137,455 for the three
days, including 67,138 on Boxing Day.
Test debutant Jackson Bird and man-of-thematch
Mitchell Johnson set the tone, helping to
roll the visitors for just 156 halfway through
TOP LEFT: Jackson Bird starred in the MCG Test.
ABOVE: Phil Hughes celebrates his debut ton.
RIGHT: Shane Warne gets to grips with Marlon
Samuels in a turbulent BBL clash.
the opening day. In reply, Michael Clarke
joined the MCG century makers’ honour board
in the home team dressing room with a classy
106, while Johnson’s hard-hitting 92 in the
lower order was invaluable.
Sri Lanka’s second innings – and the match
– ended abruptly just after lunch on the third
day, with three of the visiting batsmen,
including superstar Kumar Sangakkara, unable
to bat due to injury. It was the shortest Boxing
Day Test since England’s innings victory in
1986-87, something we hope is not repeated
this December!
Veteran Hussey’s retirement announcement
and subsequent omission from the one-day
international squad paved the way for bright
performances by two Australian batsmen with
few ODI matches to their name.
On January 11, Phil Hughes became the first
Australian to score a one-day international
century on debut in the home side’s 107-run
win over Sri Lanka. Four weeks later, Adam
Voges celebrated his return with 112 not out
from 106 balls as Australia completed a five-nil
drubbing of West Indies.
In between, Australia’s stocks in the
Twenty20 format plummeted when it lost to
Sri Lanka at the MCG on January 28 to lose
the series two-nil.
The Victorian Bushrangers lost a thrilling
RYOBI Cup Final to Queensland at the MCG
on February 27 but, at the time of going to
print, they were well placed to host the
Sheffield Shield final, scheduled for March
22-26. We wish them well.
10 MCC NEWS March 2013

MCC CRICKET
“Clubbies” return to glory days
While the MCC has a long and
distinguished history competing at
Cricket Victoria’s elite club level, a
lesser known cricket competition is in the
midst of a major resurgence.
The MCC Club XI Cricket Competition,
managed by MCC and aimed at a level of
cricket between elite and social, has expanded
to incorporate two divisions, a growth that
seemed unlikely only a few years ago.
Interest had dwindled and its future was
seriously questioned, but the competition now
has 18 teams in two divisions from 11 clubs,
many of them “old school” teams.
Much of the credit can go to the
competition convenor of the past 11 years,
David Talalla, who has worked tirelessly to
return the competition to its former glory. The
new Division 2 trophy will be named after
David in recognition of his contribution.
To cap off the resurgence, the MCC fielded
two teams this summer for the first time in a
decade, with the Division 1 team reaching the
finals for the first time since 1990/91.
Led by former MCC First XI player
Kane Bowden, the Division 1 team bowed
out in the semi finals to Old Xaverians at
Xavier College.
One of the highlights of this season has
been the sight of former MCC players
returning to play at Club XI level in what has
become something of a past players’ reunion.
The competition’s credibility is enhanced
when First XI premiership players such as
Promising signs for our lady cricketers
Rachel Hildreth sends
one down.
As the MCC Club XI Cricket Competition goes from strength to strength, the MCC’s Division 1 team
reached the finals for the first time in more than 20 years.
Warren Ayres, Michael McCarthy and
Richard Herman are donning the creams.
In all, 43 players represented the MCC in
Division 1 this season, expanding the network
of past players coming back into the fold.
The MCC Club XI Cricket Competition is
steeped in history. It originated in the early
1900s when, to give all players a game of
cricket, the MCC organised an internal
competition and formed several teams.
As MCC News readers will have noted, late last
year the club took the historic step of fielding
MCC teams in the Victorian Women’s Cricket
Association competition for the first time.
Under the guidance of Team of the Century
wicketkeeper Robert Templeton as head coach, the
girls have shown encouraging signs.
As was anticipated given the experience levels of
the players, progress up the ladder will be slow, but
with both teams recording morale-boosting
victories after Christmas there is plenty of
potential.
The First XI has largely found the going tough
after a spirited start to the season, coming
face-to-face with some of Australia’s best
cricketers such as Meg Lanning, Jess Cameron,
Elysse Villani and Emma Inglis.
However, their resolve has been strong and it all
came together on January 27. The girls journeyed
to Bendigo to play Plenty Valley in the opposition’s
recruiting region and secured a nail-biting
two-wicket win.
Charlotte Killeen has been a valuable contributor
with bat and ball, scoring almost 250 runs and
Eventually, groups of these players formed
their own teams.
The MCC home ground is H.G. Smith
Oval in Parkville, but we play most
matches at away venues to enjoy the
magnificent facilities provided by the
old school teams.
To find out more, please contact MCC club
sport administration officer Matthew Simpson
on (03) 9657 8888.
MCC’s Victorian under 18 team members Teagan
Parker, Charlotte Killeen and Kyra Black.
taking nine wickets, while Kyra Black is our
leading runscorer. Captain Anna O’Donnell, Natalie
Plane, Hannah Bailes and Gretel Cannon have also
been among the wickets.
The Second XI, coached by former MCC player
Graeme Lay, was first to register points in MCC
colours, the first of two wins coming on January 13.
The MCC has hosted four training sessions for
girls within our recruiting regions and we welcome
new players for next season. Anyone interested
should contact Steven McCooke on (03) 9657 8888.
March 2013
MCC NEWS
11

MCC CRICKET
CRICKETERS
SECURE CLUB
CHAMPIONSHIP
AS FINALS
BECKON
The MCC men’s teams have been
rewarded for a season of fine form by
taking out the coveted J.A. Seitz Club
Championship, awarded to the club that
earns the most points across all four
grades of Cricket Victoria’s Premier
Cricket competition.
It is the 20th time the MCC has been the
best-performed club, the most by any, but
the first time since 2005/06 that we have
taken such bragging rights into the winter.
However, like a football team that sets
the pace in the home and away season, it
will count for little if captain-coach Andrew
Kent and his players can’t take out the
premierships that all are playing for.
With the finals series due to commence
on March 16, all four MCC teams will play
finals and have given themselves a good
chance of success by finishing in or around
the top four.
The First XI has booked a home quarter
final and the Third XI has all but locked
away top spot. As we went to print, the
Second and Fourth elevens were needing
to win the last home and away round to
guarantee a top four finish and a home
quarter final.
Those identifying areas of
improvement in the First XI this season
needn’t look much further than the
recruitment of Brenton McDonald back to
the club after stints with Footscray
Edgewater and Richmond. The
leg-spinning all-rounder has taken 43
wickets at 14.60 and made 511 runs at
51.10 in the middle order to put him in
contention for the Jack Ryder Medal as
the competition’s leading player.
On the batting front, McDonald has been
supported by Andrew Kent, Michael Hill and
Alex Keath, whose 481 runs at 32.07 and 23
wickets at 16.52 have underlined his
TOP:
Our 2012/13 club
champions at the Albert Ground. ABOVE: Brenton
McDonald in full flight. RIGHT: Matthew Brown
was man of the match in the one-day final.
potential. Young quicks Pat Smith (30
wickets at 20.53) and Chris Thompson (20
wickets at 19.00) have also been invaluable.
With a bit of luck, the club could be
cheering on four elevens in the premiership
decider over the Easter weekend. Keep an
eye on the club website for details and get
along to support the boys as they seek
to put the finishing touches on a
commendable season.
12
MCC NEWS March 2013

MCC CRICKET
FROM LEFT: Peter Helliar, Dave Hughes, Rachel
Berger, Colin Lane and Claire Hooper.
Limited-overs flags in the bag
The modern-day cricketer needs to be
adept at multiple forms of the game,
something the MCC has demonstrated
clearly this season.
Along with securing the club
championship and being well positioned
for the two-day finals in March, the club
also took out several flags in the Twenty20
and 50-over formats earlier in the season.
The First and Third elevens both claimed
Twenty20 titles by defeating St Kilda in very
tight contests on December 16.
Andrew Kent’s First XI and Jonathan
Huddart’s Third XI also raised the trophy
on January 28 in the one-day finals, this
time joined by the Second XI for a rare
premiership hat-trick.
The firsts defeated Prahran by five
wickets, with Matthew Brown named man of
the match for his poised 77 under pressure
in the run chase. The seconds hung on by
one wicket in another cliffhanger with St
Kilda, while the undefeated thirds eclipsed
Camberwell Magpies by 22 runs.
So that’s five premierships from
eight competitions, with the big ones
to come in March.
March 2013 MCC NEWS 13

MCC CRICKET
Halbish takes
charge of XXIXers
MCC First XI premiership player
Phil Halbish is the XXIX Club’s
new president, replacing Mark
Anderson at the end of his mandatory
three-year term.
The Halbish name will be familiar to many
and, yes, there is a connection. Phil is the son
of former Australian Cricket Board CEO
Graham Halbish.
The former fast bowler joined the MCC
from Prahran in 2000/01 and was a valuable
contributor with ball and bat for many years,
bowing out in fine style as a member of the
club’s 2009/10 premiership team.
A formal handover of the presidency took
place at the MCG during the Boxing Day
Test, scene of one of many social outings
available to XXIX Club members. Now, Phil’s
on a recruiting mission to boost playing ranks
for the 15-20 cricket matches played annually
by the XXIXers.
The XXIX Club was formed in 1956 by a
group of MCC senior players. Their objective
was to foster cricket generally, but particularly
LEFT: New MCC XXIX Club president Phil Halbish
(centre) with previous presidents (from left)
Stuart Stockdale, David Broad, Mark Anderson
and John Anderson.
ABOVE: XXIX Club membership provides
opportunities to play cricket at some iconic
venues, both interstate and overseas.
in the country, by playing mid-week and
Sunday games in addition to the normal
Premier Cricket fixtures.
The club is into its 57th year and, while still
flourishing, the stock of more youthful types
capable of taking the field on a semi-regular
basis is thinning.
Being a member of the XXIX Club is one of
the more enjoyable aspects of life at the MCC.
It offers good company and the chance to play
social cricket in some great locations,
including overseas tours that are the perfect
blend of holiday and cricket.
So, if you’re a cricketer keen on the odd
social match and looking for new experiences,
find out more about XXIX Club membership
via mcc.org.au or by contacting MCC club
sport administration officer Matthew Simpson
on (03) 9657 8888.
Lloyd Shield defended in Kensington
Cricket at the MCC takes on many
forms and, amid a busy season of
Premier Cricket, a group of MCC players
found time over the Christmas break to visit
our “sister club”, Kensington District
Cricket Club in Adelaide, for the annual
clash to defend the Bob Lloyd Shield.
The club has been alternating hosting
duties with its South Australian counterpart
for more than 40 years. In hot conditions on
December 27, the visitors continued the
tradition of bowling first.
The heat and a good batting pitch made it
tough for the bowlers, who did well to
restrict the home side to 9/274 from the
allotted 40 overs. Sam Brewin was the pick
of the bowlers with 3/42, while fellow
spinners Justin Graham and Sean Sturrock
also took three wickets apiece.
In reply, teenage talent Mathew Begbie
held together the run chase with a glorious
90. After his departure, and some
contributions from Tristan Larter, Graham
and Brewin, it was Shane Giese (42) and
The MCC team and Kensington DCC batsmen take a much-needed break from the heat during
the clubs’ annual match on December 27 in Adelaide.
Sean Sturrock (42 not out) who took up the
challenge of scoring the 80 required from the
final 10 overs.
In a whirlwind partnership, Giese and
Sturrock ensured the target was reached with
22 balls to spare! Thus the Bob Lloyd Shield,
named after a man who made a significant
contribution to both clubs, will remain with
the MCC for at least another year.
We welcome the return battle at the
Albert Ground in December during the
Ashes Test.
14 MCC NEWS March 2013

CLUB SPORT
Singapore stopover action-packed
The MCC was delighted to host one
of its reciprocal clubs, Singapore
Cricket Club (SCC), for what was a
whirlwind visit in late-January.
The 30-strong Singaporean touring party
played five cricket matches in five days, as
well as a squash contest with the MCC
Squash Section.
Touching down in Melbourne at 9.10am
on January 30, SCC admirably kept its 1pm
appointment with the MCC XXIX Club at
the Albert Ground.
In a very competitive match, our guests
batted first and registered 9/161 from 40
overs. MCC Premier Cricket leg-spinner
Sean Sturrock did the damage, taking 4/35.
Club manager Mark Anderson (21) took
the shine off the new ball with Andrew
Kent (34) before Ash Middlin (43 not out)
and captain Michael Sholly (26) ensured
the XXIX Club got home by four wickets
with almost four overs to spare.
The marquee match of the tour took place
the following day on the MCG against the MCC.
Demon openers Mat Begbie (112) and
Marcus Worrall (60) put together a
partnership of 125 to lay the foundation for a
big score. Lincoln Edwards (53) and Chris
Janik (33 not out) saw the innings through to
7/288 from 50 overs.
Predictions of an afternoon weather
interruption had been accounted for, with the
Duckworth Lewis system ready to roll. SCC
opener Andrew Goldsmith (44 off 26 balls)
saw his team off to a flying start.
Unfortunately the weather forecasters got it
right and heavy rain began falling and, after
29.1 overs with the score on 4/132, there was
no more play. The target score at this stage
was 161 so MCC was declared the winner.
That evening, 115 guests of the MCC and
SCC gathered in the Long Room to reflect on
the day, renew friendships and enhance the
positive relationship between the two clubs.
Rounding out the tour, SCC’s cricketers
played a combined MCC Club XI competition
team at Wesley College at Glen Waverley
and two Twenty20 matches against
Geelong Grammar.
The squash encounter at Royal
Melbourne Tennis Club, jointly hosted by
the MCC squash and real tennis sections,
was a hard-fought and close affair, with the
visitors worthy winners. The Singapore
players also took the opportunity to sample
real tennis, with the MCC kindly offering
coaching and a social match.
In the spirit of camaraderie that has
come to typify MCC and SCC outings, a
barbecue dinner followed the squash
matches, with presentations and an
exchange of gifts between the players.
MAIN: MCC and Singapore CC teams before
their match on the MCG. TOP (from left): Our
visitors enjoy the ambience from the Long
Room couches; MCC Cricket chairman David
Crow with Singapore CC tour manager Chris
Rogers; squash court action.
March 2013
MCC NEWS
15

CLUB SPORT
Baseball immortals honoured
Renowned illustrator Paul Harvey has
created a beautiful sketch capturing
the essence of the players who were
inducted into the MCC Baseball Section
Hall of Fame as part of its 125-year
celebrations in February.
MCC president Paul Sheahan was
mightily impressed with the illustration
and quickly claimed it for display in the
Members Reserve! For the record, those
featured in the sketch are: Back Row:
Ross Arthur, Doug Provis, Grant Weir,
Eddie Illingworth, Ken Stephens, Noel
Smith, Daryn Cassidy and Alan Sieler.
Middle Row: Pam Donald, Tim Mead,
Glen Gambrell, Wayne Bishop, Peter
McFarlane and Alan Connolly. Front Row:
Max Lord, Murray Fielder, Roger Miller,
Geoff Mathers, David Went and Rod
Chapman. Insets: Stan Quin, Wally
Ingleton, Charles Simmonds, Vernon
Ransford, Perry Ballmer and Colin Miller.
Lacrosse loses
a fine servant
The MCC sporting
fraternity lost a
valued
member in January
with the passing of
Rob Pettit,
long-serving MCC
Lacrosse Section
secretary and an
outstanding servant
of the sport.
His funeral on
January 31 drew
hundreds. Former coach
and chairman of the section
Bill Stahmer came down from
Thailand for the occasion and
mourners from Rob’s range of work and
leisure interests were strongly represented.
Chief among them were lacrosse players (in
uniform and with sticks), the Australian
Tennis Open drivers group, also in uniform,
and his mates from a productive earlier life
with Victour.
Rob was a most popular fellow and held in
the highest regard by all who knew him. An
endearing habit was a call to his friends on
their birthday, and he never missed.
A member of Malvern’s A Reserve
premiership team in 1972 and C Grade
premiership team in 1974, Rob
joined MCC lacrosse soon
after and became a fixture
within the section for
almost three decades.
He first assumed the
role of section secretary
in 1985 and held that
position until his passing.
“Rob had a reputation
for attention to detail,”
recalled former Lacrosse
Section chairman, captain
and great mate, Bob Crawford.
“He spent a lot of time and
energy fixing the little things.
“He had a reputation for being there
to do things that other people overlooked. A
lot of his essential activities went unnoticed.
“Rob would be first at the Albert Ground
to open in the morning and usually was last
to leave. He would spend enormous time
attending meetings regarding all sorts of
activities, even if only dimly related to
lacrosse or MCC.”
Rob is a Life member of the MCC
Lacrosse Section and Victorian Lacrosse
Association. His large presence in, and
contribution to, lacrosse in this state will be
sorely missed.
Real tennis
display
fascinating display was mounted in
A the MCC Library foyer in January to
celebrate the staging of the biennial
Boomerang Cup, the largest real tennis
club competition in the world, at Royal
Melbourne Tennis Club.
Real Tennis: An Ancient Game at
Melbourne’s oldest club focused on the
literature concerning the game of real
tennis from its origins in medieval
Europe through to the modern game in
Australia.
The exhibition also included the
racquet of the MCC’s 11-time and
current world champion Rob Fahey, as
well as tennis balls in various stages of
manufacture.
16 MCC NEWS March 2013

FUNCTION NEWS
ABOVE: MCC president Paul Sheahan (right) and committeeman Charles Sitch (left) with
Colonel Marcus Fielding, guest speaker at a club function held in November to mark the 70th
anniversary of the MCG’s occupation by US forces.
MCG’s military
ties remembered
on Thanksgiving
The MCG has long had a connection
with the armed forces, initially hosting
matches against soldiers stationed in
the new colony and staging military concerts
there.
Later, the ground was the venue for
conscription rallies during the First World
War and as the site of Victoria’s first war
memorial, erected in Yarra Park in 1917.
But that was small beer compared with the
impact on the ground when it was
commandeered as a military base for four
years from 1942 to 1946 when more than
200,000 Australian and American servicemen
were billetted there.
Such an epic period was worthy of
remembrance and through the agency of
MCC committeeman Charles Sitch a Long
Room dinner was arranged on Thanksgiving
– November 22 – to mark the 70th
anniversary of the ground’s occupation by US
forces.
Some atmospherics were provided by the
MCC Library which mounted displays from
the Bob Shields Collection of wartime
photographs and material from the family of
Colonel W.H. Murphy, the man responsible
for the MCG being known as Camp Murphy
when personnel from the United States Army
Air Forces were in residence in 1942.
Guest speaker was Colonel Marcus
Fielding, president of Military History and
Heritage Victoria and author of Red Zone
Baghdad, an account of his experiences in
Iraq in 2008.
The subject of Colonel Fielding’s address
was the US victory on Guadalcanal in the
Solomon Islands where, despite being
undermanned and suffering heavy casualties
at the hands of the Japanese, the Americans
inflicted one of the first and most decisive
reverses in the Pacific theatre.
On December 9, the battle-weary men of
the 1st Marine Division were pulled out of the
action and sent to Melbourne for R&R,
arriving at the MCG in January 1943. They
enjoyed tremendous hospitality in “the best
liberty port in the world” and forged lasting
relationships with many local families.
A flag flown by the US Marines on
Guadalcanal eventually found its way to the
club in 2004 and is on display in the MCC
Museum.
MCG captures the
Australian spirit
Les Carlyon had the audience in the
palm of his hand right from the
start. “I can’t think of a more
appropriate place to celebrate Australia
Day than the MCG,” said the
distinguished journalist and author who
was guest speaker at a Long Room
luncheon on January 26.
After reciting a list of famous names to
have appeared at the ground over the
years, the former Herald Sun editor-inchief
and author of Gallipoli, The Great
War and Master, a personal portrait of
Bart Cummings, noted that the MCG “has
always been an egalitarian place.”
“Everyone comes here in good times
and bad and everyone has memories of it.
It links one generation to another…..and
not many places capture so well what we
can call the Australian spirit.”
Like most who are masters of their
craft, the Carlyon delivery seemed
effortless with short, evocative words,
clear of meaning and often recalling the
pre-federation era that he thought
fashioned the Aussie character. It was
good, strong think music without any
violins or flag waving.
He spoke of bedrock values that were
rooted in the 19th century and how we
took the best parts of British law pre-1901
and made positive amendments that
reflected our view of things. “Ahead of
most, we gave women the vote, paid our
parliamentarians and established a
minimum wage, radical stuff in those days.
“We were ahead of the world in social
welfare and we developed an appreciation
of the self-made man, and of a classless
society. Australians are very good at
looking after each other and this is how
the term mateship evolved.”
He said what makes Australia great is
its mix of the old and the new. “We should
celebrate today’s heroes but don’t forget
the great people of yesterday.”
Carlyon’s inspiring address was
preceded by some brilliant entertainment
from tenor Robert Barbaro and pianist
Amir Farid, testimony to the high quality of
this annual luncheon that has been a
worthy initiative of the MCC guides group.
March 2013
MCC NEWS
17

FUNCTION NEWS
18 MCC NEWS March 2013

FUNCTION NEWS
Fine fare for all in
MCC social calendar
Matthew Hayden roamed far and wide
in his address at the Members’ Dinner
on December 14 but his central
theme of time and fellowship stayed close.
He spoke of time in the middle, time in the
rooms and time travelling as a means of
developing relationships with his teammates
and even the crowd. He enjoyed interaction with
the fans and got to know some of them well.
It wasn’t all about the “engine room” of
Langer, Hayden and Ponting who did the
hard yards for “interior decorators like the
Waughs,” he noted. Rather, cricket for
Matthew covered a broader spectrum.
He told the story of young Bart Wilson
asking for an autograph at the Gabba one
day. Hayden obliged, one thing led to another
and the boy’s parents, who lived at Coolum
on the Sunshine Coast, invited him to drop in
any time. They left a phone number.
Not long after, Hayden, a keen surfer,
heard reports of the tail-end of a cyclone
whipping up some terrific surf off Coolum.
He rang the Wilsons who were only too
pleased to have Matthew as a house guest
and they’ve been friends ever since. Bart was
a page boy at his wedding.
As he said, he had spent time with
someone – in this case a fan – and a beautiful
family relationship had developed.
Hayden was relating this experience when he
stumbled across what he’d meant to be talking
about 20 minutes earlier – his glory days at the
MCG. It didn’t start well, he recalled, getting
knocked over by the best bowler he ever faced
– Curtly Ambrose – first ball.
Golden duck behind him, he shortly hit his
straps and enjoyed remarkable success over a
long career. He supports all forms of the game
and is on a personal crusade to find some
indigenous talent among the Tiwi Islanders.
Earlier, Michael Sholly, the MCC’s
chairman of Premier Cricket, proposed the
toast to a game that has obsessed him since
childhood. He told of his ruse to wag school
aged 10, telling mum that he had a sore
throat. This just happened to be the first day
of the Gabba Test in 1970.
Lo and behold, joining him on the couch in
front of the TV that day as a workplace
withdrawal was his dad! Stacky made most
of his 207 against the Poms while they were
watching and the youngster was thrilled.
Michael went on to forge a distinguished
career at District/Premier level with MCC and
Melbourne University, winning premierships
as captain-coach at both clubs, and his love
affair with the game continues. Interestingly,
while a traditionalist, he also supports T20
and called for “open-mindedness” in
assessing the three forms of the game.
This top-end function devoted to cricket
was preceded by a number of luncheons
honouring the 50-year member brigade.
Almost 60 newcomers to 50-year ranks
were welcomed by president Paul Sheahan
at a Committee Room luncheon on
December 11 but to cater for the 50-year
“oldies” two sittings in the Members Dining
Room were required at the end of
November for their annual luncheon.
MC Stephen Phillips mentioned a long
list of distinguished attendees at both
functions and had a readymade star in Sam
Newman to interview at the second
luncheon. After Stephen recounted some
details of Newman’s remarkable
athleticism as a young man, Sam told how
he flaunted his MCC membership in his
early years at Geelong.
“I always used to come through the
Reserve before making my way to the
team bus,” he recalled. And then there was
his smart-alec antic in the ruck against
Carlton’s Maurie Sankey when he ran across
his opponent at the critical moment at the
bounce, allowing Polly Farmer to handball
long and hard to his rover for a goal.
After the first goal Sankey issued a
warning but it went unheeded. After the
second such goal, smarty pants Sam was
nursing a jaw broken in two places!
Two sittings were also required for the
end-of-year luncheons for our volunteers in
December. Olympian Ray Weinberg was a
special guest at the first function, while next
day leading The Age sportswriter Greg Baum
spoke of his experiences at the London Games.
Baum admitted to “blazer envy” and got a
laugh with his opening observation that he
“can’t think of anything better than showing
people around here a couple of days a week.”
He thought London was the best Games he
had attended and noted that volunteerism
had become the biggest feature of an
Olympics since the success of Sydney.
An Anglophile, Greg spoke warmly of “the
new and likeable London” and the
sportsmanship displayed there.
He concluded, however, that “sport is an
arms race. We’re a small country and we’ll
lose an arms race. We should accept that.”
The Christmas Day luncheon in the
Members Dining Room was again well
patronised and augured well for a flurry of
activity over the next few days, starting with
the Boxing Day Breakfast hosted by Damien
Fleming. Doug Walters was an entertaining
guest speaker as were the supporting cast
including injured Australian paceman James
Pattinson and head curator David Sandurski,
who had an outstanding “Test debut”.
Next came the Women in Cricket Test
Breakfast on day two when mother-to-be
Angela Pippos introduced Ian Healy to an
enthusiastic audience. Attendees also
enjoyed the offerings from Australian players
Jess Cameron (later named player of the
World Cup Final in Australia’s triumph) and
Meg Lanning, as well as MCC First XI captain
Anna O’Donnell.
More recent functions were the very
popular MCC/VRC Members’ Lounge evening
at the T20 Big Bash League match on
January 6 and the Women in Wine function in
the Long Room on February 28. As we’re
pleased to say, there’s something for
everyone on the MCC social calendar.
March 2013
MCC NEWS
19

FUNCTION NEWS
Star-studded lineup
for footy launch
Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark
Williams and Geelong premiership captain
Tom Harley will headline a highly
credentialed panel of experts at the MCG
Footy Launch Luncheon on Wednesday
March 27 in the Members Dining Room.
The enigmatic Williams (right), son of
South Australian football legend Fos
Williams, played 201 VFL/AFL games for
Collingwood and Brisbane between 1981 and
1990. During a 274-game, 12-year coaching
career at Port Adelaide, he led the Power to
the minor premiership in three consecutive
years, finally yielding the club’s first AFL
premiership in 2004. He is now a
development coach at Richmond.
Harley led Geelong to its first premiership
in 44 years in 2007 (against Williams’ Port
Adelaide, Harley’s first club), and became a
dual premiership captain after their heartstopping
victory in 2009. In between, he
achieved All-Australian honours, won the
AFL Players Association Best Captain Award
and has since been inducted into the Geelong
Football Club Hall of Fame.
Williams and Harley will be joined by
journalist Sam Lane and broadcasting doyen
Bruce McAvaney to discuss footy’s hottest
issues on the eve of the MCG’s opening game
of the season. There’ll be no shortage of
topics!
Hosted by Tim Lane, the luncheon includes
a three-course meal with beer, wine, sparkling
and soft drinks, plus plenty of giveaways.
Bookings opened on February 4 and tickets
were available as we went to press. Check the
website or ring the club for the latest news on
availability or to make a booking.
MCG FOOTY SEASON
LAUNCH LUNCHEON
WHEN: Wednesday March 27
TIME:
12.00pm for 12.30pm
WHERE:
Members Dining Room
COST:
$95 (members) and
$105 (guests)
Members tee up
for golf days
Members embraced the opportunity to
play at two of Australia’s best
courses when participating in the club’s
popular golf days in recent months.
More than 140 members took to the
Kingston Heath layout for a challenging
round on February 5.
Mark Dunstan was the clubhouse
leader at the conclusion of the morning
session with 42 Stableford points.
However, he was narrowly defeated by
Adrian Goold (pictured here with MCC
president Paul Sheahan) who took home
the President’s Cup with 43 Stableford
points off a 29 handicap in the afternoon.
The best-performed female in the field
was Colleen Lloyd, who enjoyed the
slightly cooler conditions of the morning
session and notched up 32 Stableford
points off a 28 handicap.
Earlier, on December 3 a field of 186
members ventured to Royal Melbourne
Golf Club where conditions were overcast
and breezy.
David Elvins, with 41 Stableford points
off a 13 handicap, took out the MCC
President’s Plate. The leading lady was
Wendy Macpherson who scored 33 points.
FUNCTIONS CALENDAR
There’s a broad range of entertaining functions to cater for members during
the next six months. Please mark your diaries and keep an eye on the club
website, email newsletters and social media for updates during the year.
DAY DATE FUNCTION BOOKINGS OPEN VENUE
Wednesday March 27 MCG Footy Season Launch Luncheon Now open Members Dining Room
Friday April 12 Comedy Blockbuster @ the ‘G Now open Members Dining Room
Saturday April 13 MFC/MCC Game Day Function (Melb v WCE) Now open Jim Stynes Room
Wednesday April 17 Women in Sport – Tales from the Olympic Starting Line March 19 Committee Room
Wednesday April 24 Young Members’ Anzac Eve Ball March 14 Members Dining Room
Sunday May 5 MCC/VRC Members’ Lounge (Carl v Melb) March 14 Jim Stynes Room
Saturday May 18 Young Members’ Footy Function (Coll v Geel) April 16 Hans Ebeling Room
Sunday May 19 MFC/MCC Game Day Function (Rich v Melb) April 3 Jim Stynes Room
Wednesday June 5 Norm Smith Oration April 16 Members Dining Room
Saturday June 22 Young Members’ Footy Function (St Kilda v Melb) May 21 Hans Ebeling Room
Saturday June 29 MFC/MCC Game Day Function (Melb v WB) May 14 Jim Stynes Room
Saturday July 6 Comedy @ the ‘G (Geel v Haw) May 21 Hans Ebeling Room
Saturday July 12 Young Members’ Footy Function (Coll v Adel) June 11 Hans Ebeling Room
Saturday August 10 Young Members’ Footy Function (Rich v Bris) July 9 Jim Stynes Room
Wednesday August 14 MCC Annual General Meeting N/A Members Dining Room
Friday August 16 Comedy @ the ‘G (Haw v Coll) May 21 Hans Ebeling Room
Saturday August 17 Women in Football Function (Rich v Carl) July 16 Committee Room
Tuesday August 27 The Bradman Luncheon July 9 Members Dining Room
Monday September 23 Sporting Sections Grand Final Week Luncheon N/A Members Dining Room
Monday September 23 Brownlow Dinner with the Coodabeens August 6 Members Dining Room
20 MCC NEWS March 2013

FUNCTION NEWS
A comedy blockbuster for the ’G
Following the outstanding success of the
inaugural event last year, the club is
delighted to offer members and guests an
opportunity to attend the Comedy
Blockbuster at the ‘G on Friday April 12.
Some of Australia’s best-known comedians
will take to the stage in the Members Dining
Room for an hour of high-quality humour
that is sure to entertain.
The evening will be hosted by Colin Lane,
best known as “Lano” from one of Australia’s
best comedic duos, Lano and Woodley.
The line-up includes one of the biggest
names in Australian comedy in Dave Hughes
(Nova 100.3FM Breakfast, The Project and
Before the Game), along with Claire Hooper
(Good News Week), Peter Helliar (Before The
Game, Rove and his alter ego “Strauchnie”)
and comedian, broadcaster and novelist
Rachel Berger.
The Hugh Trumble Café will be open for
dinner and pre-show drinks and the Frank
Grey Smith Bar will be open after the show to
enjoy some live music and drinks.
Members can each bring up to five guests
and, as we went to press, tickets were still
available via the club website.
FROM LEFT: Peter Helliar, Dave Hughes, Rachel
Berger, Colin Lane and Claire Hooper.
COMEDY BLOCKBUSTER
AT THE ’G
WHEN: Friday April 12
TIME:
8.30pm
WHERE:
Members Dining Room
COST:
$45 (members)
$50 (guests)
Hawthorn connection
at Norm Smith Oration
Four-time premiership coach David
Parkin and top-rating breakfast radio
host Ross Stevenson will be our special
guests at this year’s Norm Smith Oration
on Wednesday June 5 in the Members
Dining Room.
The pair will bring a distinct Hawthorn
flavour to this high-quality event. Parkin
played 211 games for Hawthorn,
captaining (1971) and coaching (1978) the
Hawks to glory on the last Saturday in
September. He will propose the toast to
football, to which Stevenson will respond.
As one half of one of Australia’s most
successful radio shows – 3AW’s Breakfast with
Ross Stevenson and John Burns – Stevenson
has refined his sharp wit and intellect during
more than 20 years on Melbourne radio after
an earlier stint as a lawyer.
A passionate Hawks fan, Stevenson also
co-wrote with John Clarke the memorable
comic television series The Games, which
satirised the Sydney Organising
Committee for the 2000 Olympic Games.
His insight into football from a supporter’s
perspective is sure to be entertaining.
Reprising the legacy of Melbourne’s
champion player and coach, this major
3AW breakfast show host Ross Stevenson
football function is a joint initiative of the
MCC and Melbourne Football Club. Open
to members and guests of all
persuasions, it sees prominent
Australians chronicle our great game and
its influence on generations.
Bookings will be taken on a first-in,
first-served basis from Tuesday April 16.
NORM SMITH ORATION
WHEN: Wednesday June 5
TIME:
6.45pm for 7.30pm
WHERE:
Members Dining Room
COST:
$125 (members) and
$135 (guests)
Have a ball
on Anzac Eve
The club’s most popular event for young
members, the annual Anzac Eve Ball, will be
held on April 24 in the Members Dining Room.
The evening includes pre-dinner drinks and
canapés in the Long Room, a three-course
dinner with beverages, followed by a night of
entertainment and dancing.
Dress is lounge suit for men (tie required)
and equivalent standard for women, so
dress to impress! Strictly no denim or casual
attire allowed.
Members and guests aged 18-40 are eligible to
attend. Cost is $105 (members) and $120 (guests)
and there is a limit of four guests per member.
Bookings open on March 14, so we suggest
you move quickly to secure a table.
March 2013
MCC NEWS
21

FUNCTION NEWS
Footy functions for
MFC/MCC members
In addition to playing a part in the
club’s future success, dual MFC/MCC
membership provides the opportunity
to access a range of functions during the
footy season.
The first of these is the MFC/MCC Game
Day Luncheon in the Jim Stynes Room at the
Round 3 match against West Coast Eagles on
Saturday April 13.
Members and their guests will enjoy a
two-course luncheon, half-time afternoon tea,
pre-game beverages and entertainment. A cash
bar will operate during the game.
This luncheon will recognise the number
two. Special guests will include players who
wore that number and any other connection
that may include the number two.
Located in the Olympic Stand, the Jim
Stynes Room is one of the stadium’s premier
facilities and offers a superb dining area with
behind-glass, theatre-style seating that boasts
magnificent views of the ground. If you prefer
MFC/MCC GAME DAY LUNCHEON
WHEN: Saturday April 13
MATCH: Melbourne v West Coast Eagles
TIME: 12.00pm (match starts 2.10pm)
WHERE: Jim Stynes Room
COST: $95 (dual MFC/MCC members)
$105 (other MCC members & guests)
outdoor seating, reserved seats on Level 2 will
also be available.
Guests will require a visitor ticket to access
the ground so members should ensure they
pre-purchase their visitor tickets early.
Bookings are now being taken via the MCC
website or by contacting the club on (03)
9657 8888.
Other functions will be held for matches
against Richmond on Sunday May 19 and
Western Bulldogs on Saturday June 29, so
mark your diaries!
The Demons’ most famous No. 2, Robert Flower. The
guernsey number is a central theme at the MFC/
MCC Members’ Game Day Luncheon on April 13.
Celebrating
women in sport
The Women of the MCC (WOMCC)
special interest group is holding a
function in April to recognise the
contributions made by elite female
athletes, in particular our Olympians.
Hosted by Tiffany Cherry, the dinner titled
Women in Sport – Tales from the Olympic
Starting Line, will be held in the Committee
Room on Wednesday April 17 and is open to
all MCC members and their guests.
Further details, including ticket prices
and a guest speaker, are available on the
MCC website. Bookings open on March 19
via the website or by contacting the club
on (03) 9657 8888.
MCC/VRC Members’ Lounge
In a joint initiative between the two reciprocal
clubs, MCC members and guests are invited
to join Victoria Racing Club (VRC) members
and guests at the AFL match between Carlton
and Melbourne on Sunday May 5.
Enjoy an afternoon in one of the MCG’s
premium function rooms to experience
footy from the exclusive “MCC/VRC
Members’ Lounge”.
The package includes beverages, grazing
menu, door prize draw, private room with
behind-glass, theatre-style seating and views
over the MCG. The function runs from
2.15pm until 6.15pm with the match
commencing at 3.15pm.
Bookings open on March 14 and will be taken
on a first-in, first-served basis until sold out.
Members may bring up to four guests.
Please ensure visitor tickets are pre-purchased
for guests as a booking does not grant
access to the Members Reserve.
MCC/VRC MEMBERS’ LOUNGE
WHEN: Sunday May 5, 2013
TIME:
2.15pm-6.15pm
WHERE:
Jim Stynes Room
COST:
$75 per person
22 MCC NEWS March 2013

MEMBERS’ NEWS
Support the Dees in 2013
No football club has a richer history
at the MCG than the Melbourne
Football Club (MFC), dating back
to the game’s foundation in 1858.
Due to the MCC's past and current
stewardship of the MFC, and the unique and
long-standing relationship between the two
clubs, the MCC is again promoting MFC
membership to MCC members.
Purchasing a dual membership channels
money directly into the football club and,
ultimately, the football department. And
with recent sanctions by the AFL penalising
the club significantly, the need for additional
support is critical.
MFC supporters make up about 20 per cent of
all MCC members, so we know there are around
10,000 MCC members who support Melbourne
but are yet to buy a football club membership.
Those looking to pledge their support for the
Dees, but who have not yet paid up for this
season, can do so by purchasing one of two
MFC membership packages.
The premium membership ($179) and
AFL-recognised membership ($65) options
were included on the renewal form sent to all
MFC-supporting members in July last year.
If you wish to take up an MFC/MCC
membership, please check the membership
renewal link on the MCC website or contact
the MFC.
In addition to playing a part in the club’s
future success, dual MFC/MCC membership
provides the opportunity to access a range of
functions during the footy season. Please see
the page opposite for details.
A FINE CENTURY
The MCC sadly lost its oldest
member, Victor Roberts, who passed
away on February 23, aged 100.
A regular attendee in the Reserve,
Victor (right) is pictured with son Alan
(left) and MCC customer service
manager Stephen Philp enjoying the
Boxing Day Test in December. He had
been a member since 1977.
The club’s oldest member is now Charles
Rennie who will turn 100 on March 31.
TOWER 6 THE PLACE TO BE
The club is constantly refining the
facilities and offerings for members in
the Reserve on MCG event days, and it
seems we’ve come up trumps with the
most recent addition.
Tower 6 – a bar, pizza and made-to-order
steak area near the Hugh Trumble Café on
Level 1 – made its debut during last year’s AFL
finals series and was immensely popular. With
fine fare and a view out to Melbourne’s CBD, it’s
not hard to see why.
A more relaxed dining alternative to the
Members Dining Room upstairs, members and
guests can enjoy a beer or wine while choosing
from a range of high-quality fare, including
mouth-watering rib eye, porterhouse and
rump steaks cooked to order through to
margherita pizza and lasagne.
So, next time you’re at the footy, be sure to
turn right once inside Gate 2 of the Members
Reserve and see what all the fuss is about!
March 2013
MCC NEWS
23

MEMBERS’ NEWS
PARKIN HONOURED ON
AUSTRALIA DAY
MCC MEMBERS HONOUR ROLL
Four-time premiership coach David
Parkin was among 23 MCC members
recognised in this year’s Australia Day
honours list.
Parkin was awarded an Order of Australia
Medal for “service to the sport of Australian
rules football”.
Born and raised in Melbourne’s innereast,
Parkin played 211 games for Hawthorn
between 1961 and 1974, captaining the
Hawks to the 1971 flag. After his playing
career ended, he coached Hawthorn for four
seasons, winning a premiership in 1978.
However, Parkin achieved his greatest
coaching success at Carlton. He led the
Blues to three flags (1982, 1995 and 1999)
during two stints at the club. He also
coached Fitzroy for three seasons.
Continuing the Blues theme among MCC
members honoured this year, prominent
businessman and former Carlton Football
Club president Graham Smorgon was also
recognised for significant service to
business, and to the community of Victoria.
Ashes series awaits
While the football season is almost
here, many cricket fans have
already turned their attention
to the upcoming Ashes series in Australia
next summer.
In a unique year of scheduling, Australia
will contest the Ashes in England in July/
August before returning home to (hopefully)
defend them in November-January,
AM (General Division)
ANJOU, Mitchell David
COCHRANE, Associate Professor Andrew
Donald
DEVLIN, Margaret Ann
DUNCAN, Dr Alan William
ELLIS, Dr Mark Francis
GIBSON, John Aubrey (deceased)
MADDOCK, John David
RAND, Dr David Anthony
SMORGON, Graham Joseph
THOMAS, Robert Bain
VOHRA, Associate Professor Jitendra
OAM (General Division)
ADNAMS, John Geoffrey
DAVIES, John Gerard
GRIFFITHS, Bruce Atkin
GUEST, The Hon Paul Marshall
HARDING, Thomas Frank
JOHNSTON, Harold Dawson (deceased)
MILL, Peter Bertram
PARKIN, David Alexander
ROBERTS, Frank Arthur
YIANNOUDES, Peter Michael
Public Service Medal
WATSON, Allan James
Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)
BLACKBURN, David Eric
including the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
The club has yet to finalise arrangements
for MCC members for next summer’s
cricket action.
Members will be kept informed via our
communication channels in the coming
months and we strongly suggest providing an
email address, if you have one, to receive
updates as they come to hand.
AFL STATS BOOK
SPECIAL OFFER
The AFL Record Season Guide 2013 is
the 18th edition of what has become
the AFL statistical bible.
Containing more than 1000 pages crammed
with statistics, history and information, it is
perfect to wade through before a game or on
the train.
The guide also includes full details on the
draft, profiles on every player in the
competition – from rookies to superstars – and
a history of all finals and award winners. The
cover features Essendon’s reigning Brownlow
medallist Jobe Watson.
As a special offer to members, the club has a
limited number of copies for sale at the club at
the discounted price of $25 (rrp $39.95).
For more information, contact Membership
Services on (03) 9657 8888.
FOOTY TIPPING
RETURNS
The MCC website’s AFL tipping
competition gives members a chance
to pit their tipping skills against fellow
members and win some great prizes.
Last year’s winner Geoff McLeod will no
doubt be keen to return to the winner’s
podium, but there is bound to be plenty of
opposition. While the final prize list was
still being confirmed as our deadline
approached, you can be assured the list of
goodies on offer will be enticing.
Entry is free and registration is now
open to all MCC members. Remember,
you’ll need a valid email address in order
to register.
Simply visit www.mcc.org.au and log in
with your user name and password to be
taken to the tipping registration page. (If
you have yet to create your login details,
you’ll need to do this on the website first.)
Almost 3000 members took part in last
year’s competition and we hope to exceed
that number in 2013.
Good luck to all who enter.
24 MCC NEWS March 2013