August - Melbourne Cricket Club

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club news NEW COMMITTEEMAN APPOINTED Michael Andrew, 51, has filled the casual committee vacancy created by David Jones’ retirement in February. An MCC member for 25 years, devoted Demon follower and a Law/Commerce graduate from the University of Melbourne, Michael is chairman of KPMG Australia. A keen sportsman all his life, he captained North Balwyn Cricket Club as an opening batsman and opening bowler and later was club president. As a youngster at Melbourne High, Michael would race down to the MCG after school to see the last few hours of play in Sheffield Shield matches. In his prime, Michael was a B Grade tennis player with Beaumaris and Box Hill but now plays off 13 at Kingston Heath with fellow committeemen Bob Lloyd and Peter Dakin. In a very busy life he also manages to find time for committee duties at the Melbourne Racing Club and is vice-chairman of the Committee for Melbourne. Of his recent appointment to the MCC, he says: “It’s the ideal job. I’ve always loved the MCG and it was a privilege to be asked to serve the club. I travel quite extensively and I’ve seen nothing to match the new MCG anywhere in the world. It’s just outstanding.” President David Meiklejohn (left) with new committeeman Michael Andrew. COMMITTEE ELECTION CALLED Three sitting members of the MCC committee and a challenger will offer themselves for election at the Annual General Meeting on August 15. Full members eligible to vote will already have received the appropriate papers with their 2007/08 renewal notices. Jane Nathan, Steven Smith and Stephen Spargo are the committee members standing for election by rotation. Jon Hitchcock, a teacher’s aide and a very regular attendee at MCG events, is presenting himself for election at the ballot. A CRACKING IMAGE It is with belated but much gratitude that we acknowledge budding photographer Dean Murphy for providing the club with his superb image of the moment that Shane Warne captured his 700th Test wicket on Boxing Day. The image was displayed on the cover of our previous edition of MCC News and Our Cover: Rugby Union returns International sport returned to the MCG on June 30 when the Wallabies scored a shock win over the All Blacks before an excellent crowd of 79,322 on a cool and drizzly night. The Aussies’ 20-15 triumph came after three years of domination by the All Blacks, it’s all credit to Dean for being in the right place at the right time. generally ranked as the best team in the world. The MCG had previously hosted Bledisloe Cup matches in 1997 and 1998 and the average attendance for “the game played in heaven” on the world’s biggest sporting stage is now a very healthy 81,529. MCC NEWS august 2007
from the president As we move into the second half of the football season it has been very pleasing to see the new MCG utilised so well. After the split round in June the ground had hosted eight games that drew a crowd of 50,000-plus, and the average attendance was in excess of 45,000. The highlight, of course, was Anzac Day when more than 90,000 people came to the ground, most of them in time to participate in what is always a moving ceremony before play begins. This day is a special event, a unique mix of sport at the highest level and a solemn remembrance of those who fell at Gallipoli. The game invariably attracts a far larger crowd than positions on the ladder would suggest. Another traditional crowd-puller — the Queen’s Birthday match between Collingwood and Melbourne — drew more than 70,000 and the fixture for the remainder of the season includes several potential blockbusters. It has also been pleasing to note that the strong demand for dining spots in the Reserve is continuing. This is an important indicator of how members are utilising their new facilities and anecdotal evidence about all aspects of the Reserve’s operation is extremely positive. The club is keen to have closer contact with members living in regional areas and a members’ dinner at Shepparton in June was well attended. Committee members and club executives were on hand to field questions and I feel this outreach exercise is a very worthwhile initiative. I applaud the solid contribution to club and ground affairs of committee people generally. They volunteer their services to help us manage a very big business with a minimum of fuss. It’s a business that’s about to get even bigger with the National Sports Museum (NSM) set to open next March. This is a substantial project, ably chaired by committeeman Ted Yencken, whose expertise has been invaluable during the redevelopment years. The NSM will take MCG tourism to new levels and make the ground an even more attractive destination for club members, their guests and other visitors. The Annual General Meeting will be held for Full members in the Members Dining Room on August 15 and I look forward to seeing you there. David Meiklejohn President Committeeman Ted Yencken (left) inspects early construction work on the National Sports Museum with MCC exhibitions and collections manager Richard Ferguson. WAITING LISTERS INVITED TO FOOTY As part of a program to maximise attendances and ensure facilities in the Reserve are utilised as much as possible, the club has conducted a successful trial allowing waiting list candidates to purchase a visitor ticket that affords them access to the Members Reserve for a limited number of AFL matches during June and July. Those invited were candidates at the top of the waiting list who could expect to be offered membership over the next few years. They were also given the opportunity to purchase visitor tickets to introduce guests, as do members with full privileges. The selected matches covered a wide range of teams, from the Melbourne- Adelaide game on June 2 to Collingwood’s clash with Brisbane on July 28. Facilities would not be stretched at any of the six games and the members-inwaiting could see what would be in store for them when the offer of Restricted membership comes up. Club manager Mark Anderson said the take-up rate was encouraging, as was the feedback from those who took up the opportunity to explore and experience the wonderful facilities in the Reserve. Similar initiatives may be trialled during the cricket season as the club continues to maintain contact and engage with its waiting list candidates without compromising any of the benefits and privileges accorded Full and Restricted members. august 2007 MCC NEWS
Page 1: NO. 136 • august 2007 • ISSN 13
Page 5 and 6: SOCCER BLOCKBUSTER SET FOR SEPTEMBE
Page 7 and 8: AFL WORLD COMES TO THE MCG The Nati
Page 9 and 10: TAPES ARE JUST FOR THE RECORD MCC i
Page 11 and 12: STOP PRESS! THE POLICE TO ROCK THE
Page 13 and 14: TO THE SAME OLD TUNE fallen at Gall
Page 15 and 16: CRICKETERS TIE UP FOURTH XI FLAG Th
Page 17 and 18: FUNCTIONS CALENDAR DAY DATE FUNCTIO
Page 19 and 20: WE’RE RACING INTO THE SPRING CARN
Page 21 and 22: august 2007 MCC NEWS 21
Page 23 and 24: WE’RE HERE TO SERVE YOU The club

August - Melbourne Cricket Club

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