MCC News - A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR RICHMOND FANS As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13 - Melbourne Cricket ...

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MCC News - A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR RICHMOND FANS As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13 - Melbourne Cricket ...
NOVEMBER 2017 | NO.167 | ISSN 1322-3771
                                                                    CLUB NEWS

                     MCC News

 A DAY TO REMEMBER
 FOR RICHMOND FANS
  As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13.
                                                        NOVEMBER 2017   MCC NEWS   1
MCC News - A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR RICHMOND FANS As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13 - Melbourne Cricket ...
CLUB NEWS

Life membership for Paul Sheahan
P
        aul has strong ties to the MCC that go back several               Three committee members – Adrian Anderson, Clare Cannon
        decades. A First XI premiership player, he is an MCC            and Peter King – stood for re-election by rotation. Duncan
        Honorary Cricket member, a XXIX Club member and in              Banks, Bill Hodges Jr and John Mugavin presented themselves
2000 was selected in the MCC Team of the Century. He is also a          for election via the ballot process. The results of the election
Life member of the Marylebone Cricket Club.                             were were as follows:
  $QHOHJDQWULJKWKDQGEDWVPDQDQGāQHFRYHUāHOGVPDQKH
played 31 Tests for Australia between 1967 and 1974, scoring 1594
                                                                             CANDIDATE                           TOTAL VOTES
runs at 33.91, including two centuries. For Victoria, he scored
UXQVLQāUVWFODVVPDWFKHVDWWKHH[FHOOHQWDYHUDJHRI                 CANNON, Clare*                               5889
59.52. He was also an MCC First XI premiership player.                       KING, Peter*                                 5528
                                                                             ANDERSON, Adrian*                            5519
  Seemingly on the verge of becoming Australia's regular Test
                                                                             MUGAVIN, P. John                             3638
opening batsman, Paul retired at the relatively young age of 27
                                                                             HODGES, Bill Jr                              1926
to concentrate on his teaching career. He eventually served as
                                                                             BANKS, Duncan                                1413
headmaster at Melbourne Grammar School (1995-2009) after a
decade as principal at Geelong College (1986-95).                            *retiring but seeking re-election
  Paul served on the MCC Committee for 28 years (1987-2015),
including eight years as a vice-president and four years as             As a result, Adrian Anderson, Clare Cannon and Peter King were
president (2011-15). He chaired the Club Sub-committee and              re-elected. During general business, members posed a number
was a member of the Cricket Sub-committee.                              of operational questions to which the president, CEO and senior
  He was just the second MCC president to have played                   management responded.
Test cricket, after Hans Ebeling.Paul has also had an active
involvement in many organisations, including as director of
the Sir Robert Menzies Foundation, patron of the Anglicare
Bequests Program, president of Lord’s Taverners Victoria and
board member of The Alfred Hospital Foundation. He has also
been a director of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and an
Australia Day ambassador.
  In the 2014 Australia Day honours, Paul was made a Member
(AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia 'for
VLJQLāFDQWVHUYLFHWRVHFRQGDU\HGXFDWLRQDVDWHDFKHU
and through roles with sporting, charitable and community
organisations'.
  "This great club has given me far more than I could ever give
it,” Sheahan said in accepting Honorary Life membership. “It is
                                                                          Paul Sheahan (left) is congratulated by MCC president, Steven Smith,
an honour I don’t deserve, but one that I will treasure forever.”         after receiving Honorary Life membership at the club’s Annual
  (DUOLHULQWKHHYHQLQJSUHVLGHQW6WHYHQ6PLWK&(26WXDUW)R[         General Meeting in August.
and treasurer Michael Andrew addressed the meeting and spoke
to their reports contained in the 2016/17 Annual Report.

       MCC CONTACTS
       Mail PO Box 175, East Melbourne, Vic, 8002
       T (03) 9657 8888 F (03) 9650 5682
       Country and interstate 1300 367 622
       Web www.mcc.org.au
       Email membership@mcc.org.au
       Editorial contact communications@mcc.org.au
       Publisher Melbourne Cricket Club
       Photography Unless otherwise credited, images provided by MCC, SDP Media, Michelle Couling Photography or Getty images.
       Copyright Editorial material in MCC News is copyright and may not be reproduced without prior permission from the Publisher.

                      twitter.com/MCC_Members            facebook.com/melbournecricketclub            instagram.com/mcg

2    MCC NEWS NOVEMBER 2017
MCC News - A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR RICHMOND FANS As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13 - Melbourne Cricket ...
CLUB NEWS

                     FROM THE PRESIDENT
                      STEVEN SMITH, PRESIDENT

T    he MCG enjoyed one of the most
     H[FLWLQJ6HSWHPEHUVIRUDORQJWLPH
The city of Melbourne came alive with
                                               DWWHQGHGWKHāQDOVVHULHVDQGDOVRWKH
                                               year generally where our average crowd
                                               size increased to 51,000, up from 47,000
                                                                                                As part of our ongoing commitment to
                                                                                              improving service to members during
                                                                                              our busiest event days, we have decided
the irresistible momentum of the Tigers        in 2016.                                       to trial a separate members’ enclosure
and the attendance numbers at the                One of the club's key focuses continues      in Yarra Park outside Gate 2 for the use
JURXQGUHĂHFWHGWKDWZLWKWZRāQDOV          to be on improving our customer service.       of members and their guests during
RIDQGDFDSDFLW\JUDQGāQDO           Everyone loves the MCG, but our goal is        the Ashes Test. This additional facility
of 100,021. The noise generated at the         for all our patrons to walk away from a        for members will hopefully take some
5LFKPRQGJDPHVZDVH[WUDRUGLQDU\DQG          YLVLWWRWKHÙ*WKLQNLQJKRZH[WUDRUGLQDU\    of the pressure off the more popular
reminded us again how lucky we are to          our staff were in making their day so          bars within the Reserve and provide a
have a ground the size of the MCG to           special.                                       IDQWDVWLFH[SHULHQFHIRUPHPEHUVVLPLODU
host these huge crowds and a ground              :HZHUHWKHUHIRUHYHU\H[FLWHGWR           to the outdoor entertaining areas at
which retains the atmosphere so well.          recently win the Customer Service              Lord’s with their champagne bar and
  Congratulations must go to Richmond          Project of the Year award at the               Nursery Ground picnic areas that work
president, Peggy O'Neill and CEO,              $XVWUDOLDQ6HUYLFH([FHOOHQFH$ZDUGV          so well.
Brendan Gale for following through on          earlier this month for our CARE project.         Last month also saw the club take
WKHLUDPELWLRXVāYH\HDUSODQWRDFKLHYH        The project involves thousands of our        control of MCC Kew Sports Club,
DPHPEHUVKLSH[FHHGLQJDQGD           people being trained in the key habits         ZKLFKZDVH[SHULHQFLQJVRPHāQDQFLDO
premiership. Halfway through the year          to great customer service. Much credit         GLIāFXOWLHV:HKDYHFRPPLVVLRQHGDQ
the prospects of Richmond winning the          goes to Stuart and his senior leadership       independent report on options for future
ĂDJORRNHGUHPRWHEXWWKHLUVXFFHVVLV        team for driving this project and to all       use of the facility and we will be looking
a reminder of how quickly things can           our staff for embracing it with so much        at ways to ensure that it becomes a
turn around in our game when you have          enthusiasm. The best part is we are only       vibrant and viable venue. There is still
momentum.                                      two years into the three-year program          some work to be done on future plans
  It's now two fairytales in a row after       and there is still much to be done to          and I will come back to members once
the Bulldogs win in 2016, which is great       reach the level that we are all aspiring to.   WKHUHLVDPRUHGHāQLWLYHSURSRVDOLQ
news for Melbourne supporters, as                Whilst on the topic of awards we were        place.
they say “everything comes in threes”,         also thrilled to win the Best Achievement        I would also like to take the opportunity
so hopefully 2018 will be the year of the                                                     to congratulate Paul Sheahan on
Demons.
  +RZHYHUEHIRUHZHJHWWRRH[FLWHG
about football we have the Ashes series
                                              “ Our goal is for all
                                                our patrons to walk
                                                                                              becoming our newest Honorary Life
                                                                                              member. Life membership is the
                                                                                              greatest accolade that can be bestowed
to look forward to. Whilst both sides
                                                   away from a visit to                       upon members of the club and Paul
have had patchy form over the past                                                            was a deserving recipient with his
year, none of that will detract from               the 'G thinking how                        H[WUDRUGLQDU\FRQWULEXWLRQWRWKHFOXE
the gripping tension that is always at             extaordinary our staff                     over many years at the highest level. It
the heart of any clash between these                                                          was a very emotional Paul who accepted
traditional rivals. It will be an absorbing        were in making their                       the award at the recent AGM.
summer of cricket.                                 day so special.                              It has been a good year for the club.
  We also look forward to welcoming                                                           7KHUHKDVEHHQVLJQLāFDQWFKDQJHZLWK
our friends from the Marylebone Cricket        in Venue Management at the Australian          Stuart taking over from our highly
Club who will be travelling to Australia       Event Awards in September. The MCG             regarded CEO of 17 years, Stephen
to watch their national team in action.        was recognised for its achievements over       Gough, and the retirement of some long-
We are delighted to be joined by their         a 12-month period in 2016/17, including        standing committee members. However,
President, the RT Hon Lord MacLaurin           the Guns N’ Roses concert, international       it is this regeneration of personnel at
of Knebworth, their chairman, Gerald           soccer, the AFL Grand Final and many           committee and management levels
&RUEHWWWRJHWKHUZLWKVL[RIWKHLU            more.                                          that will continue to provide new ideas
committee colleagues as our guests for           To round out a very successful               and refreshed enthusiasm to help us
WKH%R[LQJ'D\7HVW                           period, the MCG was recognised for its         continually strive to identify how we can
  As we rapidly approach Christmas it is a     sustainability practices, being named          do things better at the MCG.
JRRGWLPHWRUHĂHFWRQWKH\HDUWKDWKDV      WKH%HVW&RPPHUFLDO(QHUJ\(IāFLHQF\            I wish you and your families a safe
been for the club.                             3URMHFWDWWKH1DWLRQDO(QHUJ\(IāFLHQF\      and happy Christmas and hope you
  6WXDUW)R[RYHUVDZKLVāUVWIRRWEDOO        Awards.                                        enjoy what promises to be a fascinating
season as CEO and we are delighted with          7KLVUHFRJQLWLRQFRQāUPVKRZWDOHQWHG       summer of cricket against our traditional
WKHZD\KHKDVāWWHGLQ+HLVGRLQJD       our team is and how dedicated they are         English rivals.
great job in managing the operations of        in their determination to ensure the
the ground which, as mentioned, were           MCG remains the benchmark for all
challenging with the big crowds that           other stadia in Australia and overseas.

                                                                                                      NOVEMBER 2017        MCC NEWS         3
MCC News - A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR RICHMOND FANS As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13 - Melbourne Cricket ...
CLUB NEWS

Sports facility in Kew open for business
S   ince our last edition, there have been
    VRPHVLJQLāFDQWGHYHORSPHQWVZLWK
regards to the governance of the sports
                                             Our long-term intention is for the site
                                             to remain as a sports facility, run for the
                                             EHQHāWRIPHPEHUV
                                                                                           social aspect.
                                                                                              With multi-purpose bowling greens,
                                                                                           en tout cas tennis courts and coaching,
and recreational facility available to MCC     We have commissioned an independent         DQDFWLYHEULGJHFOXEJURXSāWQHVV
members in Barkers Road, Kew.                report on options for future use of the       programs, yoga, a bar, and bistro nights,
   -XVWRYHUāYH\HDUVLQWRD\HDU       facility and we will be looking at ways to    it is a great venue to host any event. MCC
arrangement to use the facility, MCC Kew     ensure the facility becomes a vibrant and     members are most welcome to visit with
Sports Club was placed into liquidation in   viable venue for members. We will report      invited guests.
September, after its board chose to enter    back to members once there is a more
YROXQWDU\DGPLQLVWUDWLRQGXHWRāQDQFLDO    GHāQLWLYHSURSRVDOLQSODFH
GLIāFXOWLHV                                   The Kew club, located at 397 Barkers
                                                                                                        For enquiries and
   However, we are pleased to advise that    Road, offers a wide range of sports and
                                                                                                  bookings, please contact
in the short-term the venue remains fully    facilities and caters for all ages, whether              club manager Rick
operational and under MCC management.        participating in a sport or joining in the            Coate on 9817 3936 or
                                                                                                   richardc@mcc.org.au,
                                                                                                    or visit the website at
                                                                                                       mcckew.com.au

MCC conquers America
A     JURXSRI0&&PHPEHUVKDVFRPSOHWHGWKHFOXEÚVāUVWPHPEHUVÚWRXURIWKH86$
      and from all reports it may not be the last such venture.
   Led by club manager, Mark Anderson, the touring party kept up a hectic pace during
the three-week trip in August-September. Highlights included seeing the opening
night of the US Open tennis grand slam at Flushing Meadows, sightseeing in New York
and Washington DC, Civil War monuments, the George Washington estate in Virginia,
historical Charleston and charming Savannah.
   It was then on to the Napa Valley to take in the world-famous wine region, followed
E\DWULSZHVWWR6DQ)UDQFLVFRWRH[SHULHQFHWKHIRRGLHFXOWXUH$OFDWUD]DQGWKH
famous Golden Gate Bridge. The tour then moved through the Monterey Peninsula and
DORQJWKH3DFLāF&RDVWWR3DVR5REOHV
   7KHMRXUQH\FRQFOXGHGE\WDNLQJLQ6DQWD%DUEDUDDQG0DOLEXEHIRUHāQLVKLQJXS
in Santa Monica, Los Angeles to complete the ultimate tour. Tour operator Events
Worldwide Travel is to be commended for putting together the well-planned itinerary
and leading the tour so smoothly and successfully.
   6DYRXULQJWKHVLJKWVDQGH[SHULHQFHVRIRWKHUFRXQWULHVZKLOHLQWKHFRPSDQ\RI
fellow MCC members is a wonderful opportunity. We look forward to sharing details of
RXUQH[WPHPEHUVÚWRXUVKRUWO\

4    MCC NEWS NOVEMBER 2017
MCC News - A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR RICHMOND FANS As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13 - Melbourne Cricket ...
CLUB NEWS

Pavilions in the Park
M      CC members will be treated to
       DQHZKRVSLWDOLW\H[SHULHQFHDW
WKH%R[LQJ'D\7HVWWKLVVXPPHUZLWK
                                              or Lord’s, as well as a Pimm’s bar, food
                                              trucks, music and more.
                                                 Open from 10.00am to 8.30pm on
                                                                                           ZLOOEHDEOHWRVFDQLQWRWKHH[FOXVLYH
                                                                                           zone throughout the day, including
                                                                                           Provisional members who cannot
temporary marquees to operate in Yarra        December 26, 27 and 28, Pavilions in the     otherwise access the Reserve on the
Park, directly outside the MCC Members        Park will be a great way to catch up with    āUVWWKUHHGD\VRIWKH7HVW Valid visitor
Reserve entrance.                             friends at the cricket during the Test, as   tickets holders will also be able to scan
   Titled Pavilions in the Park and open      well as review the day’s play with fellow    their ticket to enter at any time.
IRUWKHāUVWWKUHHGD\VRIWKH$VKHV7HVW   members and guests.                             We are delighted to offer Pavilions
members and visitor tickets holders              With a capacity for up to 3000 people     LQWKH3DUNDVDQDGGHGEHQHāW
ZLOOEHDEOHWRUHOD[VRFLDOLVHDQG         at any one time, the normal Members          of membership. We believe it will
mingle while enjoying a range of food         Reserve rules and regulations will apply     VLJQLāFDQWO\HQKDQFHWKH7HVWPDWFK
and beverage options in comfortable           with respect to dress standards and          H[SHULHQFHDQGZLOODOVRHDVHVRPH
surrounds.                                    behaviour.                                   pressure in many of our facilities inside
   7KHH[FLWLQJDGGLWLRQFRPHVLQ               Importantly, all categories of members    the Reserve.
response to feedback from members
about the club’s ability to cater for the
                                                                                                                      An artist’s impression
sustained strong demand for food and                                                                                 of the hospitality area
beverages on our biggest cricket days of                                                                             in Yarra Park that will
the year.                                                                                                             be available to MCC
   Due to the building constraints inside                                                                             members during the
                                                                                                                        Boxing Day Test.
WKH5HVHUYHH[SDQGLQJLQWR
MCC News - A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR RICHMOND FANS As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13 - Melbourne Cricket ...
CLUB NEWS

TECH TRIAL COULD CUT QUEUE TIMES

W      hether it’s a day at the cricket,
       Friday night footy or a blockbuster
concert, one of the biggest frustrations
for stadium patrons is waiting in line for
food or drinks while the action unfolds.
   In a ground-breaking initiative, the
MCC has partnered with international
technology company WaitTime to trial a
crowd intelligence system at the MCG.
   7KH0&*LVWKHāUVWYHQXHLQWKH
southern hemisphere to work with
WaitTime, whose product is being used
at major sports stadiums in America.
   8WLOLVLQJDUWLāFLDOLQWHOOLJHQFHVHQVRUV
and advanced algorithms, the technology
will track queues and wait times at a
selection of food and beverage outlets at
the stadium.
   This information will be displayed
across dedicated screens, providing
patrons with transparency over queue
times for nearby outlets and ultimately
empowering fans to make informed
decisions about when and where they go
for their food and drinks.
   The trial commenced during the AFL           0&&&(26WXDUW)R[ OHIW DQG:DLW7LPH&(2=DFKDU\.LOPD7KH0&*LVWKHāUVW
Finals Series across several outlets in the      venue outside of the USA to trial the company’s crowd intelligence technology.
Olympic Stand and Great Southern Stand
and will continue during the cricket
season.

Sporting greats join hall of fame
A wealth of sporting talent and
achievement gathered in the National
Sports Museum in October to celebrate
their induction into the Sport Australia
Hall of Fame.
   Each inductee and Legend is featured
in the Spirit of Sport gallery in the NSM,
the home of SAHOF since the museum
opened nearly 10 years ago.
   This year, Olympic and Commonwealth
Games champion sprinter Raelene Boyle
was elevated to Legend status, the 33rd
athlete to have that honoured bestowed.
   Included in Boyle’s display is a
hand-painted kangaroo skin shoe she
wore during the 1970 Commonwealth               SRORSLRQHHU'HEELH+DQGOH\āYHWLPH
Games, where she won gold in the 100m,          Paralympic wheelchair basketballer
DQG[PUHOD\DVZHOODVD            Troy Sachs and Dr Grace Bryant (sports
biographical video showcasing her career        medicine).
and achievements.                                 The inductees are pictured here
   The individual inductees this year           with Dawn Fraser (seated) after visiting
were cyclist Brad McGee, pole vaulter           the NSM to view the SAHOF display
Steve Hooker, Australian football great         and unveil their personal plaque in the
Tony Lockett, Paralympic icon Frank             gallery.
Ponta, taekwondo’s Lauren Burns, water                                                                      Photo credit: Vicki Jones

6    MCC NEWS NOVEMBER 2017
MCC News - A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR RICHMOND FANS As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13 - Melbourne Cricket ...
CLUB NEWS

  MCG on the winners list
  T
          he club was thrilled to be              The MCC created the CARE program                     Activities included replacing half
          recognised with three major           after identifying customer service as the            WKHH[LVWLQJ0&*OLJKWVZLWK/('
          awards in recent months across        QH[WPDMRUVWHSLQLWVHYROXWLRQDVDQ              technologies, implementing a ‘smart’
  the venue management, customer                organisation and a stadium. The model                air-conditioning system that adjusts
  VHUYLFHDQGHQHUJ\HIāFLHQF\VHFWRUV         has at its core a focus on people and                output based on the number of people
    In September, MCC won the Best              their capability to provide a consistently           in a room, and installing an innovative
  Achievement in Venue Management               JUHDWH[SHULHQFHWRDOOFXVWRPHUVDWDOO            building management system which
  award at the Australian Event Awards for      times.                                               allows the MCC to automate room
  our ability to deliver major events at the      0RUHWKDQSHRSOHZKRLQĂXHQFH                ERRNLQJVDQGIXQFWLRQVDāUVWIRUD
  MCG over the previous 12 months.              WKHFXVWRPHUH[SHULHQFHDUHEHLQJ                   sports stadium in Australia.
    During this time, the MCG hosted a          trained in the key habits, values and                  7KHSURMHFWUHVXOWVKDYHH[FHHGHG
  Guns N’ Roses concert, International          EHKDYLRXUVWKDWWKH0&&KDVLGHQWLāHG               H[SHFWDWLRQVDQGLQFOXGH
  Champions Cup and Brazil v Argentina          as being critical to great customer                  •Saving 10 million kWh– an energy saving
  soccer matches, the AFL Grand Final,          service. The three-year-project                      which is the equivalent of powering 1872
  %%/GHUE\%R[LQJ'D\7HVWDQG               involves more than 1000 event staff,                 houses for a year
  numerous other international and              160 permanent staff, 400 volunteers                  •Reducing energy consumption at the
  domestic matches that drew a total            and a range of service providers across              MCG by 23.9 per cent
  audience of around 3.5 million people.        security, catering, ticketing and tourism            •Cutting Co2 equivalent carbon
    The stadium was also home to a range        functions.                                           emissions by 20,982 tonnes.
  of community events such as Cinema at           To round out a very successful                       The works were fully funded by the
  the ‘G, Stadium Stomp, Sleep at the ‘G        period, the MCG was recognised for its               MCC at a total investment of more than
  and MCG Open Day.                             sustainability practices, this time judged           PLOOLRQZLWKWKHH[SHFWHGVDYLQJV
    The Australian Event Awards is the          WKH%HVW&RPPHUFLDO(QHUJ\(IāFLHQF\                from the reduced energy consumption
  principal awards program for the              3URMHFWDWWKH1DWLRQDO(QHUJ\(IāFLHQF\            forecast to offset this cost by 2020.
  Australian events industry. Judged            Awards.
  by an independent panel of judges               The club has partnered with Siemens
  representing all areas of the industry, the   to deliver a raft of improvements to the
  Best Achievement in Venue Management          stadium’s energy use after identifying
  is awarded to a person or team within         HQHUJ\HIāFLHQF\DQGUHGXFLQJFDUERQ
  a venue that “has enhanced the event          emissions as a primary focus. The work
  H[SHULHQFHWKURXJKLWVPDQDJHPHQWRI         LQYROYHGDQH[WHQVLYHXSJUDGHRIH[LVWLQJ
  the venue”.                                   practices, as well as the installation of
                                                QXPHURXVQHZHIāFLHQF\V\VWHPVDWWKH

“ The
                                                stadium.
      model has at its
  core a focus on people
   and their capability to
   provide a consistently
   great experience to all
   customers at all times.

    The criteria included the quality of
  WKHYHQXHH[SHULHQFHIRUFXVWRPHU
  groups, a commitment to innovation
  LQHQKDQFLQJWKHHYHQWH[SHULHQFH
  GHJUHHRIGLIāFXOW\FRPPLWPHQWWR
  environmental sustainability and "best
  practice" techniques in management and
  delivery of services.
    A few short weeks later, the club’s
  innovative customer service program
  at the MCG was named Customer
  Service Project of the Year - Cultural        )DFLOLWLHVRSHUDWLRQVDQGFRQWUDFWVPDQDJHU0DUVKDOO+ROGLQJ OHIW DFFHSWVWKHFOXEÚVHQHUJ\HIāFLHQF\
                                                award; TOP: MCC staff Josh Eltringham, Carolyn Parton, Ben McAuliffe, Kimelle Smith, Claire Bennett
  Transformation at the Australian Service      and Stephen Philp with our customer service award.
  ([FHOOHQFH$ZDUGV

                                                                                                              NOVEMBER 2017           MCC NEWS        7
MCC News - A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR RICHMOND FANS As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13 - Melbourne Cricket ...
SPORTS HERITAGE

    Sport's rich tapestry on show
    1RZKHUHHOVHFDQ\RXāQGDPXVHXPWKDWFHOHEUDWHVDQDWLRQ VULFKVSRUWLQJKLVWRU\
    like the National Sports Museum at the MCG.
    Across a multitude of sports, the museum features artefacts from some of the country’s biggest heroes and highlights
    moments that have shaped Australian sport.
     Our hardworking team continues to develop and refresh the content on display to align with current events and
    WKHPHV7KHVHUHFHQWVKRZFDVHVDQGDFTXLVLWLRQVDUHZRQGHUIXODGGLWLRQVWRWKHYLVLWRUH[SHULHQFH

AFL WOMEN'S                                    ASHES AT THE MCG
In the Australia’s Game gallery we now         A new display, titled A Testing Tradition,
have a range of material acquired from         has been installed outside Frank Grey
this year’s inaugural AFL Women’s              Smith Bar and displays objects associated
competition.                                   with Test matches played at the MCG
   Among the items are guernseys worn by       involving Australia and England.
Harriet Cordner (Melbourne) and Phoebe           Some of the items include a trophy
McWilliams (Greater Western Sydney),           awarded to Hugh Trumble for taking a
both of whom are MCC members.                  hat-trick against England in the second
   Also featured are shorts worn by            Test of the 1901/02 series, a bat used by
Adelaide Crows forward Sarah Perkins           England’s Jack Hobbs during the 1920/21
in the AFLW Grand Final, training boots        series, Bill Woodfull’s baggy green cap
worn by Collingwood captain Stephanie          worn during 1928/29 and a jumper worn
Chiocci and the coin tossed before the         by England’s Trevor Bailey during the
KLVWRULFāUVW$)/:PDWFKEHWZHHQ              1950/51 series.
Collingwood and Carlton at Princes Park
in February.                                   AUSSIE GOLD
   Rounding out the display are two            Finally, the Heroes section of the Faster
medallions created to commemorate              Higher Stronger gallery has had a number
WKHāUVW$)/OHYHOZRPHQÚVIRRWEDOO           of medals won by Australian athletes
match, between Melbourne and Western           added to the display.
Bulldogs at the MCG in 2013, and boots           Among them are Mack Horton’s 400
worn by Adelaide’s Tayla Thorn during          metres freestyle gold medal from last
KHUāUVWVHDVRQSOD\LQJ$XVWUDOLDQIRRWEDOO   year’s Rio Olympics, rower and MCC
with Northern Territory club Palmerston        member Kim Brennan’s gold medal from
Magpies in 2010.                               Rio and her silver and bronze medals from
                                               the London 2012 Games, and freestyle
ALBERT BROOMHAM                                skier Lydia Lassila’s gold medal from the
The Pioneer highlights several objects         2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and
associated with Albert Broomham.               bronze medal from the 2014 Sochi Games.
  Broomham played in the inaugural
season of the New South Wales Rugby
League Premiership in 1908 and would
go on to represent New South Wales,                  MCC members can access
Australia and Australasia.                         the National Sports Museum
  Some of the objects on display for the              on non-match days at a
āUVWWLPHLQFOXGHD16:FDSD             discounted rate of $20
Australia cap and a trophy awarded to               (normally $24) by showing
Broomham upon his selection for the
                                                  their membership card at the
                                                  ticket counter. Members and
1911/12 tour of Great Britain. They will be
                                                   their guests can also access
available for viewing in the NSM until May          the NSM at 50 per cent off
QH[W\HDU                                        normal prices on MCG event
                                                               days.

8     MCC NEWS NOVEMBER 2017
MCC News - A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR RICHMOND FANS As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13 - Melbourne Cricket ...
SPORTS HERITAGE

         GOLDEN GIRL WAS
           AN MCG ICON
T     he sporting world was very saddened by the passing of Betty
      Cuthbert AM, MBE, in August at the age of 79.
   Nicknamed “the Golden Girl” after her performances at the
                                                                     statue in her honour outside the MCG,” said Studham. “However,
                                                                     I think she would have been even prouder to know it was the
                                                                     āUVWSXEOLFVWDWXHRIDQ$XVWUDOLDQZRPDQWREHHUHFWHGLQ
Melbourne Olympics, Betty is a legend of Australian sport, one       Melbourne.”
whose achievements are intrinsically linked to the MCG.                 Betty was also featured on one of the eight bronze doors
   As an 18-year-old, Betty won gold medals on the MCG in            designed by Robert Ingpen to celebrate the sesquicentenary
WKHPHWUHVPHWUHVDQG[PHWUHVUHOD\DWWKH            of the MCC in 1988. The doors are currently displayed in the
0HOERXUQH2O\PSLFV,QGRLQJVRVKHEHFDPHWKHāUVW          Anniversary Gallery on Level 3 of the Members’ Pavilion.
Australian athlete to win three gold medals at a single Olympics.       Although based in Western Australia, Betty was a strong
   After missing the Rome Olympics in 1960 due to injury, she        supporter of the MCC and its commitment to sporting heritage.
came out of retirement to win a fourth gold medal at the Tokyo       She donated much of her personal collection of sporting
Games in 1964 in the inaugural women’s 400 metres.                   memorabilia, including her four gold medals, to the National
   ,QKRQRXURIKHURXWVWDQGLQJFDUHHU%HWW\ZDVRQHRIWKHāUVW   Sports Museum, where it is currently on display.
athletes recognised with a statue outside the MCG as part of the        Betty is also featured in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in the
Tattersalls Parade of Champions project.                             NSM, including video footage of her 100m and 200m wins at the
   The statue, created by sculptor Louis Laumen, captures Betty      MCG in 1956.
LQIXOOĂLJKWDQGZDVXQYHLOHGRXWVLGH*DWHLQ$XJXVW          “While her passing brings sadness, it is the joy that her
with a who’s who of Australian sport in attendance.                  running achievements generated across the nations that has
   In the latest edition of The Yorker magazine produced by          been readily apparent since her death, with the proliferation
the MCC Library, head librarian David Studham recalled the           of people reminiscing about watching her compete here at the
occasion.                                                            MCG or their stories of encounters with one of the most genuine
   “I will never forget the happiness, and indeed tears of joy, on   and delightful ladies you will ever meet,” said Studham.
her face the day in 2003 when she watched the unveiling of the          Vale, Betty.

 $%29(&XWKEHUWLVĂDQNHGE\2O\PSLDQV
 Matt Welsh (left) and Russell Mark at the
   unveiling of her MCG statue in 2003.

    MIDDLE: Betty Cuthbert shown
ZLQQLQJWKH2O\PSLF*DPHVVHPLāQDO
 of the 200 metres at the MCG in 1956.
  This souvenir cover from The Argus
  QHZVSDSHULQFOXGHGRQHRIWKHāUVW
descriptions of Cuthbert as the “Golden
      Girl of Australian Athletics”.

                                                                                                      NOVEMBER 2017         MCC NEWS        9
MCC News - A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR RICHMOND FANS As the Tigers ROARED to their first FLAG in 37 years. See pages 12-13 - Melbourne Cricket ...
MCG EVENTS

     Early bird state of Origin tickets
 A     nother MCG record crowd looms when State of Origin
       rugby league returns to the MCG on Wednesday June
 6 next year for Game 1 of the hugely popular three-game
                                                                                   membership card to enter the Reserve. All categories of
                                                                                   members will be able to purchase up to four visitor tickets
                                                                                   for guests. Reserved seats on Level 1 and 4 are also
 series.                                                                           available.
    A massive crowd of 91,513 packed the home of sport for                            Members will be rewarded for purchasing their tickets
 the last Origin match in 2015, with expectations of a similar                     early, as entry entitlement and visitor ticket prices will
 crowd this time around to watch arch rivals New South                             increase from Sunday December 24 at 5.00pm.
 Wales and Queensland.                                                                Entry entitlements for members currently cost $50, and
    As part of the club’s contractual arrangements with the                        visitor tickets cost $110 (adults) and $75 (children aged
 National Rugby League, the normal first-in, first-served                          6-14). From Christmas Day, these prices rise to $60,
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 AFL schedule: mark your diaries
 T    he MCG will host 45 matches in the 2018
      AFL home and away season, commencing
 with Richmond v Carlton on Thursday March 22
 as part of a triple header in the opening round.
    Two nights after the Tigers unfurl their
 premiership flag, MCG co-tenants Hawthorn
 and Collingwood will do battle on Saturday
 March 24. Melbourne and Geelong Cats will
 round out the weekend of MCG action, a clash
 most notable for the return of Gary Ablett in the
 blue and white.
    Marquee matches on Easter Monday, Queen’s
 Birthday, Anzac Day, Anzac Eve and Dreamtime
 at the ‘G have all been retained.
    Richmond’s premiership win has seen them
 awarded 14 matches at the MCG, three more
 than last season, while Geelong Cats will play
 seven games at the ‘G, up from five. There are
 five Friday night matches at the MCG and five
 rounds of tripleheaders.
    Detailed arrangements for the 2018 AFL
 season, including access for Provisional
 members as well as visitor ticket on-sale dates,
 will be confirmed early in the New Year.

10   MCC NEWS NOVEMBER 2017
MCG EVENTS

Ashes hostilities resumed
T     here is no more momentous
      occasion in cricket than an Ashes
7HVWRQ%R[LQJ'D\DWWKH0&*DQGWKLV
                                             now on sale. As we went to print, visitor
                                             tickets had sold out for Day 1 of the Test,
                                             but were available for all other match
summer’s contest will whet the appetite      days.                                                2017/18 cricket at the MCG
of every cricket fan.                           A limit of two visitor tickets will apply
   Last time England visited our shores, a   to Full and Restricted members on days
world record Test cricket crowd of 91,112    2 and 3 of the Test, and four for all other           Boxing Day Test
attended the opening day of the MCG          international and domestic match days.
                                                                                                   Australia v England (Dec 26-30)
Test, as Australia marched on towards        Provisional members will not be able to
a 5-0 whitewash. England captain Joe         use their card to access the Members                  One-Day International
Root will be looking for a much more         5HVHUYHRQWKHāUVWWKUHHGD\VRIWKH
competitive performance this time            Test.                                                 Australia v England (Jan 14)
around, as the visitors seek to retain the      Entries in the Members Dining Room
Ashes secured at home in 2015.               and Jim Stynes Grill ballots for all days             Twenty20 International
   The two countries will also contest       of the Test will open from Monday
a series of 50-over and Twenty 20            December 11 at 9.00am until Tuesday                   Australia v England (Feb 10)
matches, with the MCG to host one of         December 12 at 5.00pm.
                                                                                                   T20 Big Bash League (men's)
each in January and February.                   A new hospitality addition for all
   0HOERXUQH6WDUVZLOOSOD\āYH%%/        categories of members and guests this                 Stars v Heat (Jan 2)
and three WBBL games at the MCG in           cricket season is the Pavilions in the                Stars v Renegades (Jan 6)
January. Of those, the marquee day on        Park area in Yarra Park, directly outside             Stars v Sixers (Jan 16)
the calendar will be the women’s and         WKH0HPEHUV5HVHUYHRQWKHāUVWWKUHH                Stars v Thunder (Jan 20)
men’s doubleheader between Melbourne         days of the Tests. See page 5 for more                Stars v Hurricanes (Jan 27)
Stars and Melbourne Renegades on             information.
Saturday January 6. This event has              All other details pertaining to the                T20 Big Bash League (women's)
attracted crowds of 70-80,000 in the last    2017/18 cricket season, including detailed
                                                                                                   Stars v Renegades (Jan 6)
two summers and interest is sure to be       access entitlements for Provisional
                                                                                                   Stars v Thunder (Jan 20)
just as strong this time around.             members, can be found on mcc.org.au/
                                                                                                   Stars v Hurricanes (Jan 27)
   Visitor tickets and reserved seats to     ashes2017 or in the eight-page cricket                Stars v Hurricanes (Jan 28)
all international and BBL matches are        guide now available to members.

                                                                          Go green with Melbourne Stars
                                                                  This summer’s T20 Big Bash League competition sees the MCG hosting
                                                                  five Melbourne Stars men’s matches, along with four women’s BBL
                                                                  games.
                                                                    Yet again, the Melbourne Stars are offering a unique MCC membership
                                                                  upgrade. For just $45, members will receive invitations to special
                                                                  events, ticketed access to the Etihad Stadium derby on January 12, Stars
                                                                  merchandise discounts and a membership pack, including your choice of
                                                                  MCC/Stars seat cushion, scarf or Stars carry bag.
                                                                    Whether you have renewed your MCC membership for the current
                                                                  season or are still to do so, you can buy your MCC Stars membership
                                                                  by logging in to the MCC website and using your seven-digit reference
                                                                  number.
                                                                    With the Stars men’s lineup containing names such as Kevin Pietersen,
                                                                  Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb, along with leg-spinner Kristin
                                                                  Beams leading the women’s team, let’s hope the MCG-based sides can
                                                                  finally take home a BBL/WBBL title.

                                                                                                     NOVEMBER 2017        MCC NEWS      11
CLUB NEWS

                                    fever grips the 'G - and the city
     The 2017 AFL Grand Final brought an end to 37 years of heartbreak and anguish
     for Richmond supporters, with the Tigers mauling the Crows at a packed MCG.

I
     t had been a long time in the making, but in the end triumph     would be afforded access. After the initial queue cleared and the
     was swift and merciless, as Richmond defeated Adelaide           morning unfolded, it was felt the Members Reserve would reach
     Crows by 48 points at the MCG on the last Saturday in            capacity without the need to sell entry tickets to Restricted
 6HSWHPEHUWRZLQLWVāUVWSUHPLHUVKLSVLQFH                    members.
   In one of the more even AFL seasons in recent memory, the            7KHāQDOJURXQGDWWHQGDQFHZDV×MXVWWKUHHVKRUWRI
 7LJHUVVWRUPHGLQWRWKHJUDQGāQDORQWKHEDFNRIELJ0&*ZLQV      capacity, and the highest crowd at the MCG for any event since
 over Geelong Cats and GWS Giants. Anticipation among long-           the northern stand redevelopment was completed 11 years ago.
 VXIIHULQJ7LJHUVIDQVKDGLQWHQVLāHGGXULQJJUDQGāQDOZHHNDQG     American rock band The Killers provided the perfect lead-in to
 WKHÙ*ZDVEX]]LQJE\WKHāUVWERXQFH                               the main event, and doubled up with a performance on stage at
   After trailing by 11 points at quarter time, the Tigers sealed     the premiership party after the match, including a memorable
 WKHLUWKĂDJZLWKDUXQRIVHYHQXQDQVZHUHGJRDOVIURPHDUO\      cameo from Tigers forward Jack Riewoldt on their smash hit, Mr
 in the second quarter. Adelaide scored three late consolation        Brightside.
 goals, but nothing could take the gloss off Richmond's 16.12 (108)
 to 8.12 (60) triumph.
   Dustin Martin capped off an amazing season by adding the
 1RUP6PLWK0HGDOIRUEHVWDāHOGWRKLV%URZQORZ0HGDO
 premiership medallion and numerous media awards. The
                                                                                attendance
 WRXJKDQGVNLOOIXOPLGāHOGHULFHGWKHJDPHZLWKDJRDOLQWKH
 last quarter that led to an outpouring of emotion from the
 Tigers army – both inside the stadium and in Yarra Park, where
 thousands of fans who could not get a ticket had gathered to
 watch the contest.
                                                                             100,021
   Earlier in the day, and overnight for some, MCC Full members
 took their place in the queue outside Gate 2 for walk-up seating       2QWKH6XQGD\DIWHUWKHJUDQGāQDOWKH0&*SUHFLQFWZDV
 in the Reserve to see the big match.                                 WKHSODFHWREH$URXQGSHRSOHĂRFNHGWR0&*2SHQ
   7KHFOXEKDGDQQRXQFHGHDUO\LQJUDQGāQDOZHHNWKDWLW           Day, taking the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at
 would review the walkup numbers of Full members and guest            Australia’s favourite stadium, while a similar number were at
 cardholders before determining whether Restricted members            Punt Road Oval, reliving and rejoicing.

12   MCC NEWS NOVEMBER 2017
NOVEMBER 2017   MCC NEWS   13
CLUB SPORT

 MCC women's football kicks off
 T    he MCC has been accepted into
      the Victorian Amateur Football
 Association as a member club for the
                                              named Sydney Women's AFL Coach of
                                              the Decade in 2009. It’s an impressive
                                              resume.
                                                                                                   DVVLVWLQJZLWKDQ0&&IRRWEDOOWHDPQH[W
                                                                                                   season, or know someone who is, please
                                                                                                   contact us on (03) 9657 8888 or email
 2018 women’s season, with plans now            Lachlan will be joined by former                   melbcricketclubfc@gmail.com.
 āUPO\LQSODFHWRāHOGRXULQDXJXUDOWHDP   Melbourne FC player Russell Robertson,
 in a women’s competition.                    who has taken a coaching ambassador
   The aim is to complement the elite         role.
 women’s football played by Melbourne           Lachlan and Russell have hit the ground
 Football Club with a lower-level             running, with training sessions being
 community team in the MCC name.              held on Tuesday evenings in St Bede’s
 Home matches are likely to be played at      College through November-December.
 the soon-to-be-completed Beaumaris           If you are interested in playing or
 Secondary College.
   An initial open training session was
 held on October 28 to gauge interest
 from potential players, and we were very
 pleased with the response.
   Since then, we have appointed Lachlan
 Worthy as head coach of the MCC
 women's football club. Lachlan joins us
 from St Kevin's Old Boys, where he was
 Reserves coach in 2017, and brings with                                                                              ABOVE: Lachlan Worthy, the
                                                                                                                        MCC’s inaugural women’s
 KLPH[WHQVLYHH[SHULHQFHLQZRPHQ V                                                                                football head coach. LEFT: The
 football coaching.                                                                                                   FOXEÚVāUVWZRPHQÚVIRRWEDOO
                                                                                                                       training session in October
   He was Sydney University Women's
                                                                                                                            was well attended.
 AFL coach for eight seasons (2000-
 07) including three years as the NSW
 state team coach (2000-03) and was

             Isabel is footy's number one
                                          T     he Huntington family’s sporting talents continue
                                                to shine through, following the Western
                                          Bulldogs’ decision to select 18-year-old Isabel
                                                                                                     She has also been recovering from an anterior
                                                                                                   cruciate ligament knee injury that saw her sit out of
                                                                                                   football this season, after a broken leg in 2015.
                                          Huntington with its number one selection in the AFL        Despite the setbacks, Bulldogs coach Paul Groves
                                          Women’s Draft last month.                                is excited by what he sees, describing Isabella as “the
                                            A newly elected MCC Provisional member, Isabel         complete package”.
                                          is the granddaughter of MCG volunteers Ian and             "She's really versatile, can play down back, midfield,
                                          Marie Huntington, both of whom were talented             up forward where she'll potentially support Katie
                                          sportspeople in their own right. Marie was a talented    Brennan,” he said.
                                          squash and tennis player, and a keen golfer.               “It's a massive honour,” Isabel told reporters after
                                            Ian is a former MCC cricketer who captained and        the draft selection. “I would have been happy to go
                                          coached the club, and also played for Victoria. He       anywhere, any pick.
                                          also played hockey, tennis and baseball for MCC, the       "It doesn't really matter when you get into the club,
                                          latter at state level, and won the Hans Ebeling Award    whether you're one or 100, but I'm pretty honoured
                                          in 1983 for outstanding service to our sporting          they think of me that highly and I'm just excited to get
                                          sections.                                                started."
                                            Isabel, who hopes to study medicine, has just            Ian and Marie also have a grandson, Will Setterfield,
                                          completed her Year 12 studies while coping with          who made his AFL debut with the GWS Giants in July
                                          the adulation and pressure that comes with being a       and, like Isabel, looks to have a bright future.
                                          number one draft selection.

14   MCC NEWS NOVEMBER 2017
CLUB SPORT

David Crow wins Hans Ebeling Award
F   ormer MCC vice-president David
    Crow was recognised for a decades-
long contribution to MCC sport at the
                                              was instrumental in the vibrancy the
                                              FRPSHWLWLRQH[SHULHQFHGGXULQJKLVWLPH
                                                'DYLGÚVDIāQLW\ZLWKFULFNHWDQGRXU
                                                                                              David was also at the helm during one
                                                                                            of the successful cricket seasons in MCC
                                                                                            history. In 2012/13 we peeled off eight of
Sporting Sections Annual Dinner on            sporting heritage were constants during       the available 13 titles, including the First
November 1, where he was the recipient        a 24-year stint on the MCC Committee          XI premiership, and it is an achievement
of the prestigious Hans Ebeling Award.        (1993-2017), the last four years as vice-     of which he is most proud.
Perpetuating the memory of one of             president.                                      Apart from his cricket service, David
the MCC's greatest contributors, the            $PRQJ'DYLGÚVPRVWVLJQLāFDQW              has been a strong supporter of our
Hans Ebeling Award was introduced in          contributions were his terms as               heritage operations. He initiated an
1981 to honour those who have given           chairman of the Australian Cricket Hall       MCG statues program, which led to the
outstanding service to our Sporting           of Fame and his role as MCC Cricket           Tattersall’s Parade of the Champions
Sections.                                     chairman in the establishment of our          project and the more recent Australia
  David joined the club in 1967 to play       inaugural MCC women’s cricket teams           Post Avenue of Legends series in Yarra
cricket, and debuted in the First XI that     āYH\HDUVDJR                               Park.
season as a budding fast bowler. The
potential that the talent scouts saw in
David was evidenced by him winning
the First XI bowling average in 1969/70.
David, like many fast bowlers, was
plagued with injury and played in various
JUDGHVEHIRUHKHDGLQJRYHUVHDVIRUāYH
years after the 1972/73 season.
  He returned to the club in 1978/79 and
in ensuing years captained the Fourth
XI and the ‘C’s in the MCC Club XI
competition.
                                                                                                                          David Crow (left)
  He also took on the role of MCC
Club XI Cricket competition convenor,
                                                                                                                         receives the Hans
which he held for nine seasons. This
                                                                                                                        Ebeling Award from
involved running a cricket competition                                                                                     MCC president
virtually single handed and David                                                                                          Steven Smith.

Cricket future in good hands
The MCC continues to play a prominent         have been selected in the Victorian           has won one of four matches. In the Club
role in developing the next generation        country team, with Zac Mevissen in the        XI competition, MCC’s Division 2 team had
of cricket talent, with a number of our       Victorian metro lineup.                       won one of its first four matches, while our
players chosen at representative level          That tournament will also feature a         Division 3 team sits second on the ladder.
already this season.                          Cricket Australia XI comprising the best
  At first-class level, three MCC players     players from the Australian Under 17
– Chris Tremain, Sam Harper and Seb           championships, and MCC’s Patrick Rowe
Gotch – have played for the Victorian         will take part.
Bushrangers in the first four rounds of the     The women’s Victorian Under 18
Sheffield Shield competition. Tremain         squad features MCC’s Olivia Downes
has been the pick of the bunch, taking 15     and Jordan Watson, while the women’s
wickets at 23.6.                              Victorian Under 15 metropolitan squad
  The trio was joined by Cameron White,       contains Jessica Grant, Ella Hayward and
Will Pucovski and Blake Thomson in            Kampi Nainhabo.
the Bushrangers team during the JLT             After 10 rounds of men’s Premier
One-Day Series played in October, while       Cricket, the First XI was off the pace and
young fast bowler Jackson Coleman             in desperate need of a change in form,
played in the same tournament for a           while the Second XI was one point out of
Cricket Australia XI.                         the eight. Our Third XI was two wins out
  At junior level, MCC will have three        of the eight, while the Fourth XI was in
Victorian representatives in the men’s        fourth place.                                TOP: MCC 300-game player Steven McCooke
                                                                                           presents a First XI cap to 14-year-old debutant
Australian Under 19 tournament to be            In the women’s competition, our First      Ella Hayward in November. BOTTOM: Brad
held in Tasmania from December 4-15.          XI was in third place after six matches,     Melville sends one down for the Demons.
Wilson McGillivray and Brad Melville          with the Second XI on top. The Third XI

                                                                                                    NOVEMBER 2017          MCC NEWS        15
SPORTS HERITAGE

     Four decades on, guides are
     still the face of the 'G
 W      hether it be as an MCG Tour
        Guide, in the MCC Library or
 in the National Sports Museum, our
                                           Museum and the corridor of Sporting
                                           Sections photographs on the upper
                                           level known as Bourke Street because
                                                                                                wrote to the 50-Year members group
                                                                                                to enlist more volunteers. This group,
                                                                                                along with the original MCC Guides
 350-strong band of volunteers plays       of the heavy foot traffic on match                    and the Gallery Rovers, formed a
 a vital role in ensuring that every       days.                                                new alliance in September 1991 and
 visitor has a positive experience and       In early 1987, following the opening               became the MCG Tour Guides of today
 leaves with a heightened sense of our     of the Australian Gallery of Sport                   in the famous striped blazers in club
 national sporting culture and heritage.   adjacent to the Members Pavilion,                    colours.
   This year marks the 40th anniversary    another group of volunteers was                        Tours began running on every non-
 of the first MCG Tours, which have         enlisted to help show groups through                 match day on the hour, from 10.00am
 since become a cornerstone of             this new museum space. This group,                   to 3.00pm, and in 1994 demand was
 tourism visitation at the stadium on      also recruited from the ranks of MCC,                such that the tours began to run on
 non-match days. They are enormously       were known as Gallery Rovers and                     the half hour as well.
 popular with visitors, whether from       wore a distinctive mustard jacket.                     Today, during busy periods such as
 overseas, interstate, regional Victoria     In the November 1987 edition of                    school holidays and grand final week,
 or inner Melbourne.                       MCC News, the club put a call out for                tours run as often as every 15 minutes
   Part of the success of the visitor      more guides, deemed “necessary to                    in order to meet demand, with up to
 experience on non-match days at           cope with greatly increased tourism                  150,000 visitors to the ground each
 the MCG lies in the knowledge and         activity and booming attendances at                  year.
 experience acquired by our volunteers     the Australian Gallery of Sport during                 We are enormously proud of, and
 over several decades of service.          the club’s 150th birthday celebrations”,             indebted to, the men and women who
   Among them are MCG Guides               which were set to take place the                     give their time so freely in order to
 Bernard Allen, Margaret Forster and       following year.                                      present our great club and stadium to
 Len Mill, who have been taking guided       Four years on, with the tours                      the world. Long may it continue.
 tours since 1987, and Steve Mason         becoming increasingly popular, then
 (since 1989). Up in the world-class       club president Dr Donald Cordner
 MCC Library, Ray Webster is fast
 approaching 30 years’ service, while
 Eric Panther has been assisting and
 researching for an astonishing 34
 years.

     MORE THAN A
 CENTURY
 of combined service

   It was the formation of a Tour Guides
 group 40 years ago that laid the
 foundations for the strong volunteer
 contribution we see today right across
 the club.
   The first formal tours began in 1977
 when a group of passionate MCC
 members formed an association called
 the MCC Guides in order to show
 visitors around the Pavilion for the
 Centenary Test.
   These first volunteers wore a round
 badge much like the one worn by
 Long Room Wine and Food Society
 members today. Each guide took their
 own tour, which was not scripted, and
 some tours lasted as long as three
 hours!
   Tours then ran every Wednesday
 morning and were confined to
 the highlights of the 1927 Pavilion,
 including the Long Room, the MCC
                                             ABOVE: Some of our longest-serving MCG volunteers: Bernard Allen, Steve Mason, Ray Webster, Len Mill and
                                             Eric Panther. TOP RIGHT: Len with the original Rovers jacket that preceded the now-familiar MCC blazer. TOP
                                             LEFT: The MCG Tour Guides, circa 1980, three years after the stadium tours began.
16
16   MCC NEWS NOVEMBER
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Roy's message heard in high places
M     CC 50-Year member Roy Francis
      has won the prestigious Victorian
Senior of the Year award for his tireless
                                             clubs and community centres. These
                                             include the Mornington National Seniors
                                             group, Mornington Croquet Cub and the
                                                                                               the award. “I really enjoy doing what I’m
                                                                                               doing and I’d like to think I’m making a
                                                                                               difference.”
work and travel promoting cancer             Balnarring Picnic Racing Club.                      “There are so many things you can
awareness around the state.                    “It’s very satisfying to do something for       do as a senior. If you are able to, you
  Roy and 14 others recognised for           RWKHUSHRSOHWRXVHP\SDVWH[SHULHQFHV         VKRXOGXVH\RXUSDVWH[SHULHQFHVWRKHOS
their community contributions were           to help others,” said Roy in accepting            others.”
presented with their awards at a
ceremony at Government House in
October.
  Diagnosed with prostate cancer in
2006, Roy subsequently became the
āUVW3URVWDWH$ZDUHQHVVYROXQWHHU
ambassador appointed by the Prostate
Cancer Foundation of Australia. He
formed the Mornington Peninsula
prostate cancer support group and was
appointed Frankston Council’s bowel
cancer community champion.
  The 77-year-old Roy, who has been an
MCC member since 1961, also became
WKHāUVWYROXQWHHUDPEDVVDGRUDSSRLQWHG
by the National Stroke Foundation, as
well as a beyondblue ambassador. He
travels throughout Victoria promoting
cancer awareness and other health
issues. To date he has made more than
750 presentations.
  Roy is also very active elsewhere in his        MCC 50-Year member and Victorian Senior of the Year, Roy Francis (left), with The
local community, volunteering at various          Honourable Linda Dessau, Governor of Victoria, and Minister for Housing, Disability
sporting and active living groups, service        and Ageing, Martin Foley.

Cricketer conquers English Channel
M      CC cricketer Shane Giese took
       pre-season training to another
level in September, taking completing
                                             Shane said after his journey. “I have
                                             always been interested in swimming, and
                                             I would regularly go to the pool to swim
                                                                                               changed, going against me,” recalls
                                                                                               Shane. “My speed dropped from 4.5
                                                                                               kilometres per hour to 1.2, in the end,
the famous English Channel swim from         a couple of laps.                                 the last three kilometres would take me
southern England to northern France.           “However, after I completed an                  three hours. Touching dry land was a
  While his teammates were in the nets       Ironman event in 2015, and battling some          moment I will never forget!”
or discussing whether the Tigers could       mental health issues for a few years, I             Shane has played almost 150 Premier
win that weekend’s AFL premiership, the      thought why not try the hardest open              Cricket matches since joining the club
29-year-old was taking on one of the         water swim in the world?                          in 2004 as a 16-year-old. A talented
busiest shipping lanes in the world. The       “As crazy as it sounded to everyone             left-arm fast-medium bowler, he earned
solo voyage was a battle of the mind as      else, I knew that I needed to do this for         First XI selection in 2006-07 before back
well as an enormous physical toll.           me and those around me.”                          troubles saw him spend a few summers
  Seasickness, regular vomiting and            The 20-30 hours of training Shane had           on the sidelines or as a batsman in the
changing currents in one of the busiest      undertaken each week with renowned                lower grades. He has since returned to
shipping lanes in the world were just        Channel swimmer, Chloe McCardel, put              bowling and last season took 14 Third XI
some of the challenges Shane faced           him in good stead for the arduous task,           scalps at 18.67.
during a 13-hour, 50 kilometre swim.         ZKLFKEHFDPHPRUHGLIāFXOWZLWKWKH                His efforts in the water are sure to put
  “Swimming the English Channel had          constantly changing conditions.                   DQ\IXWXUHFULFNHWāWQHVVVHVVLRQVLQWKH
not been a long-term ambition of mine,"        “At the halfway mark the current                shade.

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CLUB FUNCTIONS

Function fun for everyone
 The club again hosted a multitide of entertaining functions in the winter and spring
 seasons, with a variety of options for members and guests to enjoy.

 O     ur first regional event in several
       years was held at Ballarat Golf
 Club on July 26. An Evening with the
                                                an interview with Australian and Victorian
                                                cricketer, Jon Holland. Selected to play Test
                                                cricket in Sri Lanka in 2016, Holland spoke
                                                                                                 TV commercial from the WSC era. One
                                                                                                 suspects an alert manager would not let the
                                                                                                 opportunity pass these days.
 Coodabeens included a presentation by the      about that experience and how quickly it            The final Comedy @ the ‘G function for
 MCC Committee, before the Coodabeen            came about due to a number of injuries to        the year was held on July 28 in the Hans
 Champions took to the stage for a theatre-     Australian bowlers.                              Ebeling Room prior to the Hawthorn v
 style performance.                                Holland said he has taken much from           Sydney Swans match. Comedians Toby
    MCC president Steven Smith and CEO          being part of the Australian team and it was,    Halligan, Cal Wilson and Matt Stewart were
 Stuart Fox were present, alongside members     overall, a great learning experience. He also    in fine form.
 of senior management, to discuss the latest    touched on his successful Sheffield Shield          In the final round of the AFL home and
 happenings around the club and to answer       season, which included taking eight wickets      away season, almost 100 members and
 questions from members and guests.             in the final to propel the Bushrangers to        guests attended a luncheon for dual MFC/
    The following week, two functions were      another title.                                   MCC members in the Hans Ebeling Room
 held on the same day at different locations.      After main course, former Australian          prior to the Collingwood-Melbourne match
 On August 5, the VRC/MCC Members’              fast bowler Len Pascoe took to the lectern.      on August 26. However, many in the room
 Raceday Event was held at Flemington,          To say that Len could tell a story with          went home deflated as the Demons lost to
 while the Women of the MCC group held          great enthusiasm and energy would be an          their archrivals and, ultimately, missed a
 a function in the Committee Room at the        understatement. Len’s ability to draw the        finals berth.
 Carlton v Essendon match.                      crowd into this tale was effortless, albeit         While the AFL community enjoyed a
    For the 17th consecutive year, we           fraught with twists and turns along the way.     weekend off before the finals series, around
 celebrated the life of Sir Donald Bradman         Len’s address told the story of a cricketer   400 members and guests attended the Young
 at The Bradman Luncheon on August 24. A        who is very passionate about the game            Members’ Ball on September 2, themed
 packed Members Dining Room was treated         and who reached his potential. On many           ‘One Hit Wonders Disco’. After pre-dinner
 to an afternoon of fabulous food and great     occasions he touched on his great friendship     drinks and canapés in the Long Room,
 entertainment.                                 with fellow quick, Jeff Thomson, and the         everyone adjourned to the Members Dining
    The day began with a stirring operatic      adventures they got up to as cricketers and      Room for dinner and a night of dancing to
 performance by Sir Don’s granddaughter,        school mates.                                    some classic disco hits.
 Greta, who despite being unwell, performed        One of the World Series Cricket                  An intimate group of 60 diners enjoyed
 beautifully. She was accompanied by pianist    signatories, Len lamented that he had            a unique dining experience in the MCG
 Rhodri Clarke; the two performers so           not earned one cent in royalties from his        Culinary Centre on September 13. Our
 perfectly matched.                             “Pascoe’s making divots in the green”            hospitality partner, EPICURE, opened up
    MC Gerard Whateley then conducted           line in that famous C’mon Aussie C’mon           its kitchen to allow members and guests to

18   MCC NEWS NOVEMBER 2017
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