Page 5627 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 17 November 2010
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are now 18 teams representing the ACT, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and New Zealand who contested this year’s championships. An estimated 350 to 400 participants, family members and supporters converged on Canberra for the four-day event.
The event was played in two divisions and the ACT had teams in both. The ACT’s division 1 team played against Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales and performed exceptionally well, finishing equal second on the ladder—its best performance at the championships to date. They beat Queensland, who took out the division 1 title by two runs in what I am told was a very closely fought game, and they also overcame Tasmania. Had the games against New South Wales and South Australia not been affected by the rain, they may well have won the championships. The ACT’s performance was all the more meritorious, particularly given that most of the opposition teams contained former international and Sheffield Shield players such as Jeff Dymock and Queensland leg spinner Dennis Lillie.
The division 2 team unfortunately lost several key players to injury over the course of the championships, which affected their overall performance. However, although they did not record a win, they were competitive and performed very well in all of their games.
The ACT teams received generous support and assistance from a range of organisations. I was very pleased that the ACT department of sport and recreation was able to support the championships, together with the CWA, Cricket Australia, Cricket ACT and major sponsors including the Australian Seniors Insurance Agency, Helen King Hearing Centres and the Dickson tradesmen’s club. Without these organisations’ help, it would not have been possible to organise and successfully run an event of this magnitude.
Feedback from the participating states and our visitors from New Zealand has been very positive, with many saying it was the best-run championships yet, in spite of Canberra’s inclement weather.
I was very pleased to officially open the championships at a function hosted at the Dickson tradesmen’s club. I understand there was a final dinner and presentation night held at the Woden Southern Cross Club. Those who attended the dinner were entertained by cricketing legend and commentator Keith Stackpole, former international umpire Max O’Connell, and former Australian and Queensland left-arm quick bowler Geoff Dymock. I am advised that a great night was had by all.
At the conclusion of the championships, a fully representative Australian over 60s team was selected to play in a three-test series against England and Wales, plus games in Singapore and Malta, between 10 and 29 August 2011. I am very pleased to advise the Assembly that there were two ACT players named in the team. One of those ACT players is with us in the chamber this evening, Mr Denis Axelby. Congratulations, Denis, on your selection, and also to your brother, Ron, who is the other ACT representative. I can advise the Assembly that Ron was appointed captain of the touring team and that ACT wicket-keeper Peter Howes was also named as a reserve.
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