The St George name is one of the most famous and recognisable brands in international sport, with a rich and proud history and following on from the St George Rugby League 100 years launch the St George District Cricket Club is also celebrating its centenary birth this coming season.
In front of a crowd of 130 invited guests the St George District Cricket Club announced the first 16 inductees in its new Hall Of Fame at the Norm O'Neill Cricket Training Facility at Penshurst last week.
The event is the first for the club in its Centenary of First Grade Cricket, being celebrated over the next 12 months.
The first Cricket legends announced were members from the Sydney's most successful club's first fifty years, with further inductees to be unveiled in small groups in the coming years.
Out of the first 16 inductees only three were able to receive this acknowledgement personally, the rest have sadly passed but many were proudly represented by family members who enjoyed a day of fond reflection.
Present were the current Club Patrons, Brian Booth and Warren Saunders, as well as the legendary bowler, Keith Francis who cut the obligatory red and white centenary cake.
The event was hosted by St George DCC President Kevin Greene and commemorative plaques were presented by the St George, NSW and Australian cricketer Murray Bennett.
The first 16 inductees of the St George District Cricket Club were all well known southern Sydney names and announced in their playing order with child prodigy and Australian test player Alan Fairfax just beating the Don for the first plaque honour.
A.G (Alan) Fairfax - St George Cap No.19
D.G. (Don) Bradman - St George Cap No.49
J.E. (Ernie) Green - St George Cap No.55
H.J. (Harry) Theak - St George Cap No.57
E. (Ernie) Laidler - St George Cap No.63
W.J. (Bill) O'Reilly - St George Cap No.84
A.R. (Arthur) Morris - St George Cap No.100
R. (Ross) Longbottom - St George Cap No.102
R.R. (Ray) Lindwall - St George Cap No.109
R.R. (Mick) Favell - St George Cap No.133
L.E. (Les) Favell - St George Cap No.147
W.J. (Warren) Saunders - St George Cap No.163
K.R. (Keith) Francis - St George Cap No.165
B.C. (Brian) Booth - St George Cap No.168
W.J. (Bill) Watson - St George Cap No. 169
N.C. (Norm) O'Neill - St George Cap No.170
Of the 16 inductees, nine played Test and Shield Cricket (Fairfax, Bradman, O'Reilly, Morris, Lindwall, Les Favell, Booth, Watson and O'Neill) with three (Theak, Saunders and Francis) representing NSW.
In a show of the St George Clubs strength four of the inductees (Bradman, O'Reilly, Lindwall and Morris) were chosen in the Australian Test Team of the 20th Century.
John Veage
Thirty five year photographer for Fairfax -former NSW Chief Photographer for FCN and now Photo Journalist for the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader in southern Sydney.Official photographer for Cycling Australia (20 years) Official photographer for Surf Life Saving Australia (30 years) Founding Life Member of Cronulla Boardriders Club and Life Member of Surfing Sutherland Shire among other things.
Thirty five year photographer for Fairfax -former NSW Chief Photographer for FCN and now Photo Journalist for the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader in southern Sydney.Official photographer for Cycling Australia (20 years) Official photographer for Surf Life Saving Australia (30 years) Founding Life Member of Cronulla Boardriders Club and Life Member of Surfing Sutherland Shire among other things.
