Sport
30 November, 2022
Central Downs Cricket Association makes half a century
The current cricket season marks a half century for Central Downs Cricket Association Incorporated (CDCA) and the search is on to find as many of those players as possible who contributed to the Association through their shared passion of this 16th Century phenomenon.
In August 1973, Association officials resolved to re-brand Oakey District Cricket Association as Central Downs Cricket Association.
In the 1973/74 season, clubs played for a new shield, and wives, girlfriends (WAGS) and mothers were invited to attend the Annual Presentation of Trophies.
Around the same time, several changes were introduced to the operations of the association which has covered an area stretching from Goombungee to Bowenville, and Millmerran to Nobby at various times.
Following the name change and a new premiership shield, annual trophy presentations moved from tea, sandwiches and the customary keg of beer in the RSL supper room in Oakey, to a sit down dinner at Oakey Golf Clubhouse by 1975.
Central Downs Cricketers are now preparing to mark this milestone at a reunion to be held on Saturday 28th January 2023 and are seeking to reconnect with past players and office bearers.
In CDCA’s first year of competition, nine cricket teams vied for premiership honours and the inaugural Maurice Darr & Jack Garthe Shield.
Jondaryan was victorious and Millmerran cricketers were runners-up.
Other teams were Army, Bowenville, Brymaroo, Brookstead, Mt Tyson, Oakey and Pittsworth.
Perhaps the change of name was also a catalyst for a number of women to spread their keen support of their local cricket clubs to the Association as a whole.
Mesdames Myrtle Borger, Daphne Waite, Val Fiechtner, Michelle Kittel, Joyce Darr, and Marion Garthe were some of the enthusiastic cricket supporters who actively contributed to the Association.
As CDCA officials dig deeper into the story of country cricket administration within the Central Downs area they have discovered other achievements worthy of celebration which will be revealed at the January reunion.
Past and contemporary players and office bearers are invited to the celebrations and can contact Lindsay Evans on 4692 2226 (at night) or Denis O’Shea on 0458 094 767 (night time) for more details of the reunion, and to make a booking.
Unfortunately no tickets will be available at the door due to catering requirements.
Stories are expected to flow as players reflect
on paraphernalia including caps, blazers and team photos, while an impressive line up of shields and cups from bygone eras will undoubtedly trigger a plethora of memories.
Reunion organiser, Lindsay Evans, is seeking information in relation to some old trophies and shields from Oakey District Cricket days to add to the display.
“Although the focus for the reunion will be on the past fifty seasons, organisers are keen to discover as much of the Oakey/Central Downs cricketing story as we can,” Lindsay said.
“We believe that the W. Kent Shield was the coveted trophy between 1926 and 1936, and is one of few shields we have yet to locate.
The Andrews Cup was a prized trophy prior to 1926 and its whereabouts is equally as mysterious.
The Frank Borger Memorial Shield from the Junior Cricket era throughout the 1970s, was held at Mt Tyson for many years, but it’s location has so far proved elusive.
Any information about these items would be welcome for they contain an historical record of successful cricketing campaigns in our area.
“Our celebrations in January 2023 will provide an opportunity to bring together as many players, memorabilia, and anecdotal material as we can locate,” Lindsay Evans said.
“Our Association history is significant and we intend to create a display of as
many artefacts as possible, and encourage our past players with various treasures and team photographs, which have been safely stored away, to bring them for display on the day.”
- Lindsay Evans
