NDCC Centenary Dinner
- crhambleton
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
What a night! … 425 guests celebrated NDCC turning 100. Thank you to all the wonderful people who came and made this night a very special one for the Club and for the community in the Hornsby Shire. I hope everyone who attended now feels part of the NDs “family”. A special thanks to our home-grown legend, Mark “Tubby” Taylor, who chaired the Centenary Committee and also played a big part in proceedings on the night.
A massive thank you to our two highly skilled Audio/Visual guys, Geoff Howden and Simon Trowell. The four “recollections videos” were a huge success, capturing the flavour of the 4 quarterly eras, musically, visually and verbally. I’m sure these will become available in due course.
I’m not sure if the Alumni of the Club have left the building yet. We are so fortunate to have hundreds of past players who still call NDs home. Many came from far and wide to be there … Kym Daley from Canada, Tim McMahon from Singapore, Andrew McLean from WA, Henry Hunt from SA, Russ McKimm from VIC, Ian Moore from QLD and plenty from country NSW. The “full house” is listed in the attachment, although an unlucky few in that list had to pull out at the last minute due to ill health.
THE ORDER OF EVENTS
There was some good banter between some of the old and new Australian representatives
for the club in a segment called … THE INTERNATIONALS. (Neil Harvey and Adam Gilchrist, who were unable to be there, sent videos of congratulations that were played on the night).
One of the highlights of the night were the … ALL ABILITIES ALL-STARS!
In 2005, the program of coaching kids and young adults with intellectual disabilities was initiated and
managed for 20 years by Lisa Langford. In that time, many ND players (and our thanks go to long-time coach Phil
Melville) have joined the coaching ranks every “summer Monday” evening at Mark Taylor Oval.
The Club is currently enjoying a partnership with BlowFly Cricket, an amazing organisation founded by Mark Rushton. It is an all-ability club for children and adults living with special needs and/or intellectual disabilities. It provides a fun, accepting, safe and non- judgmental environment in which to play. BlowFly hold several events and programs throughout the year and use the facilities at MTO for their cricket program. These are fun-
filled cricket sessions that are modified so every individual gets a fair go.
The programs are completely run by wonderful volunteers and members who take on roles as coaches, mentors, and friends. Nathan Lyon is “Cricket Australia’s National Ambassador” for Cricketers with a Disability. He is actively involved with the National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC). He has donated signed bats from Australian and Indian players to support the championships and raise funds for disability cricket
programs. NDs is very proud to be able to fulfil the objective of being a good community club.
THE DINNER
WOMENS CRICKET
2005/06 saw the inauguration of our Women’s club under the guidance of Jim Barrett, and it was a truly momentous step for NDs. Local girls now had a pathway to the top of the growing women’s game. Jenni Flanagan captained that first match in a season where the girls finished 3rd. After two years fielding a 2nd and 3rd Grade team, the Club entered the Women’s First-Grade competition. The Club made a decision to be one organisation, men’s and women’s together, unlike many other clubs who had structured Women’s as a separate entity.
“THE ROVING MIC” with MCs Stephenie Brantz & Chris Elder was a big hit!
There are 400 photos to sift through from our incredible photographers, Geoff Howden and Gavin White. Can we please have a round of applause for these guys because when we were tucking in to our main courses and enjoying the beers, reds and whites, these guys were prowling the floor gathering momentous photos that will be looked at in 100 years time by the supernerds in the year 2125. I wonder what they will think as they look at fashion, fitness and facial hair from a century ago? ….
So! …That was a selection of 45 photos from the Centenary dinner. There are another 300 photos to look at. I’m sure they will all be available to look at not too far down the track..
To conclude this issue of Blackmail (brought to an end by the magnitude of mega-bites involved with 45 photos!), the contribution of our president, Jeremy Hook, cannot be overlooked.
His ability to “make things happen” is remarkable. His workload through COVID, through construction and through frustration has been massive, and he does it with great commitment and passion. His efforts to continually make this club a better place are appreciated by all. Thank you Jerry!
Our collection of willing volunteers is a big asset. The experience spans several decades … Half of them know what dance floors are, and the other half know what pelvic floors are. Importantly, we all get on … and we all get on with it!
Bring on the remaining Centenary Celebrations and bring on some great victories throughout
the season.
Cheers
Drifter
Nice work Rangers!
Greeny and Lachy helped NSW to a good win over
South Australia. Lachy scored 16 runs and a catch off
Chris.
Greeny had a big day, scoring 38* off 19 balls and had 10 over 4/25 … plus 2 catches! Man of the Match.
A good day at the office!
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