• BAGGY GREEN EXHIBITION
• KAREN PRICE CNSW LIFE MEMBER
• SHEFFIELD SHIELD ON DISPLAY 26 SEPTEMBER
• SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2020
• STORE PICK OF THE MONTH - BAGGY GREEN
• NEW BOOK COMING IN NOVEMBER
• MR LEON ZWIER, CHAIR-ELECT - DECEMBER

The 27th August- always an important day on the cricketing calendar- became even more so this year. The Bradman Centre celebrated the 112th anniversary of Sir Don’s birth with the ceremonial handover of Shane Warne’s Baggy Green cap to the Museum from the Commonwealth Bank, and the launch of their newest exhibition: The History of the Baggy Green.

In light of the devastation of the bushfires that ravaged the east coast of Australia at the start of the year, cricketing icon Shane Warne offered his Baggy Green cap for auction, with all funds being donated to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. The cap was bought by Commonwealth Bank of Australia for over $1 million, and following a three-month long tour of the nation, arrived at its permanent home in the Bradman Museum.

To help celebrate the occasion, the Bradman Centre, working with the Commonwealth Bank and M&C Saatchi, marked the ceremonial handover of the cap with the launch of a new and exciting exhibition, The History of the Baggy Green- focusing on both its development and importance as a cricketing symbol.

“We have come together to produce something that will benefit Australians and cultural education programs for many years to come” Rina Hore, Executive Director of the Bradman Foundation, said.

“At the end of the day, the emblem represents Australia.”

The Exhibition has Warne’s cap in pride of place for all to see, along with over thirty other caps generously donated by players from various eras.

The ceremony, hosted by Mike Coward and attended by distinguished guests both in person at the Museum and via video link around the nation, was a special opportunity to recognise the galvanising effect of cricket and sport more broadly.

Commonwealth Bank CEO, Matt Comyn recounted both the initial frenzied bidding process for the cap, as well as the importance of its subsequent nationwide tour. “We were staggered by the response globally- a positive sign for optimism and hope for a lot of people during that time” Comyn said. “We are absolutely delighted to have supported the whole process over the last 9 months, and now to be here on such an important day and location.”

Though easy to become swept up in the excitement of the day, it was a panel discussion with some of the first respondents to the bushfires in the Southern Highlands, that brought back into sharp focus what the day was really all about.

John Klepczarek, Acting Superintendent for the Hume Police District, recounted the challenges and horror that confronted the region only eight months ago.
“Such tragedy happened in the Southern Highlands, what we went through for about six weeks was horrific. The stress, the pain and the threat of fires.”

Happily, however, we also heard stories of unity, resilience, strength and enduring community spirit.

Martin Surrey, the District Manager for the Rural Fire Service recalls the challenges the whole community faced. “We knew that it was going to be a dangerous season,” he said. “(But) the resilience of the community has shone through; we are very proud of that, and grateful for it.”

Amanda Lawrence, the Risk and Emergency Officer for Wingecarribee echoed these sentiments, observing that strength of community and a willingness to wrap an arm around each other were the key factors in tackling such profound challenges. “I am so proud of the community and the people I work with, who did whatever they could to help,” she said.

To hear such touching and vivid recollections from those who found themselves on the front line was particularly moving, and we once again thank John, Martin, Amanda and everyone else involved in protecting the community for all that you have done - and indeed continue to do for us.The formalities of the day concluded with the ceremonial handing over of Shane Warne’s Baggy Green and cutting of the ribbon to open the exhibition officially. The gravity of the moment was neatly synthesised by Bradman Foundation Chairman, Maurice Newman. “The opening of the exhibition puts us on the front foot for Summer” he said. “Today, we as Australians can all be very proud. We are seeing the extraordinary role that cricket plays in uniting us, especially in difficult times.”

Article by Bradman Scholar Andrew Young

Former Australian Test cricketers Michael Clarke OAM and Karen Hill, nee Price, were inducted as Cricket NSW Life Members at the association’s Annual General Meeting on Monday night at the SCG.

Clarke, who captained Australia in 47 of his 115 Tests, and Karen Price became the 130th and 131st Life Members of Cricket NSW.

Price, a right-arm pace bowler and right-handed batter, represented Australia in eight Test matches and 16 One-Day Internationals between 1975/76 and 1986. Since then she has made an enormous contribution to the game in coaching, administration and now as a researcher at the Bradman Museum in Bowral as part of the Women’s Heritage Council.

Between 1977/78 and 1982/83 inclusive, Karen played with the Normanhurst Cricket Club in the Hornsby Kuring-gai Men's Association. She began with this club in their B Grade side, and captained during the 1978/79 season. Between 1979/80 and 1982/83 inclusive, I was a member of the club’s A Grade side and won the club’s Player of the Year Award.

On returning to women’s cricket in the 1983/84 season Karen joined the Gordon Club and was captain of their first grade side from this time until 1988/89. She was selected in the Australian women’s team to tour India as vice-captain. One of the pioneers of women’s cricket, her International return in India included a Test century and best figures of 6-72, both against India.
Congratulations to Karen on receiving life membership in recognition of a life time’s dedication to NSW.

Michael Clarke, now 39, is the fourth leading run-scorer in Men’s Test cricket for Australia with 8,643 runs at an average almost 50, including a highest score 329 not out made against India, at his beloved SCG, in January 2012.

He is also fourth on the all-time run-scorers’ list for Australia in One-Day International cricket with 7,981 at an average of 44.58.

For NSW, Clarke scored 3,164 First Class runs at 43.34, including 11 centuries, and was part of two Sheffield Shield titles, or Pura Cup as it was then known, in 2003 and 2008.

He was also one of Australia’s finest fielders taking 203 First Class catches and 132 in One-Day cricket. His handy left-arm finger spin produced 42 First Class wickets including best figures of 6-9 for Australia against India in 2004.

Clarke has also been ambassador for several charities, launched his own Cricket Academy and established a media career post retirement. He received the Order of Australia Medal in June.

“It’s such an honour, I cherished my time playing for NSW and that started from a really young age,” said Clarke.

“I think Under 12s was the first Metropolitan squad for NSW, so every Sunday I was training sort of from 12 years of age all the way up to making my debut at 18 years of age.

“Playing for my club Western Suburbs is something I cherished just as much as playing for NSW and Australia.”

Clarke said he was blessed to play during the era that he did.

“I played with so many great players, and I got to see a lot of young super stars make their debut and now go on to be very successful Australian cricketers.

“Obviously the guys you idolised, the Waugh brothers, Michael Bevan and Michael Slater, Glenn McGrath, when I first came into the team, but when they went and represented Australia, we still had a lot of International players playing for NSW, we had a young Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Shane Lee and Brad Haddin.

“So, all of those guys had influence, there’s no doubt about it.”

The two Pura Cup wins are a special memory for Clarke but scoring a century with his idol was particularly special.

“I’ve got to say Michael Slater was my idol growing up and I remember we both got hundreds at the Adelaide Oval together.

“As a young batsman getting the chance to bat with his idol, and making a hundred together, that’s probably something me and Slats still talk about regularly when we catch up.”

(Article courtesy of CNSW)

The Sheffield will be on display in the Museum for the September school holidays. The SCG organised for the shield to be transported to Sydney so that it could be officially presented to the NSW team on July 10. It was then transported to Bowral for safe keeping and will be on public display from 26 September to 1 October.

Collections Manager Andrew Summerell  and Volunteers will conduct a talk on the Shields history during the Heritage Talk & Tours session commencing Tuesday 29 September 10 am and 11. 15 am till 1 October. In the mean time you can listen to NSW Captain Peter Neville July 10 press conference here

Come and see Shane Warne’s Baggy Green. See the brand new Baggy Green exhibition and the amazing Sheffield Shield. Hold the World Cup and hear extraordinary and humorous cricket stories.

This school holidays the Bradman Museum will be holding talks and tours that bring cricket history to life in an engaging and enjoyable way. There will also be cricket activities on historic Bradman Oval and the Bradman Café is always open for a delicious lunch.

Tickets can be booked for 10am or 11:15am from Tuesday through to Saturday for both weeks of the holidays. Tours last for approximately one hour and are suitable for any age.

Group numbers are capped for COVID safety, so make sure you book early.

For more than 140 years, our baggy green heroes have captured the hearts of fans who follow their fortunes with pride and passion. Compiled by former Inside Edge editor Martin Lenehan, who has covered cricket in print and on radio for 25 years, 'Baggy Green Legends' pays tribute to the most sacred piece of headwear in Australian sport and the men and women who wear it with distinction. Get a signed copy here for only $49.00!

During COVID-19 a lot has been happening behind the scenes with our staff and Women’s Heritage volunteers continuing to research and catalogue donated items from past players including Ann Mitchell, Belinda Clark and Alex Blackwell.

In addition they have proof read the final chapters of our women’s book due to be released in mid-November during the WBBL. Perth based publisher Churchill Press have worked tirelessly with Bradman Director and former CA Chairman Wally Edwards and Museum staff to produce an outstanding collection of images and stories.

Clearing Boundaries is the first ever hard covered coffee-table style book dedicated to women’s cricket, and only the second literary update on the history of the women’s game in Australia for nearly 30 years. The project traces the strong lineage of females in cricket from the 19th century to the watershed 2020 T20 World Cup, told largely through the lens of the Australian Women’s Cricket Team. Celebrating generations of trailblazers across five distinguishable ‘eras’ – from foundation to professionalism –

Clearing Boundaries curates a collection of short stories covering memorable tours, matches, innings, spells and moments. The highly pictorial book presents over 200 images; many were previously inaccessible to the public, but have been brought back to life by the Bradman Museum’s Holman Collection in conjunction with other private collections made possible by past players to the Museum. It also features the 10 pages of statistical records of every woman to represent the nation on the cricket field, and a foreword written by one of Australia’s greatest female cricketers, Belinda Clark AO.

To pre order a copy, just email store@bradman.com.au. The book will retail between $ 60 - $80 depending on postage. Members discount will apply.

The Board of the Bradman Foundation announces that lawyer Leon Zwier will succeed Maurice Newman AC as Chair subject to formal confirmation at the AGM on December 10.  Mr Zwier became a director of the Foundation in December 2019 and will be the eighth chairman of the Foundation.

Mr Newman said “Leon has an abiding and passionate interest in all forms of the game of cricket”.

Mr Zwier has been a partner of commercial law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler since 1991. He is also an Appeals Conduct Commissioner of Cricket Australia’s code of behaviour.

Mr Zwier said: “It will be a great privilege to chair the Bradman Foundation, which honours the legacy of Sir Donald Bradman and his vision that cricket continues to flourish and spread its wings and be a global force for good”.

“By bringing together people of different natures, cultures, and social backgrounds, cricket has the power to bridge an increasingly divided world”.

“Now more than ever, the Foundation has an important role to play in delivering on that mission”.

The Board also announces that from 10 December, Director John Warn will become Deputy Chair. Mr Warn has had a lifelong association with the game as player and administrator, most recently as Chair of Cricket NSW from 2013 to 2018. He is the current Chair of Destination NSW.

Mr Newman said the Bradman Foundation which operates the iconic Bradman Cricket Museum in Bowral New South Wales, is an advocate for playing the game as it should be played by educating players to respect the heritage, spirit and values of cricket.

Mr Newman confirmed the Foundation under Mr Zwier’s chairmanship would continue to work with its partners, including the New South Wales government, the Sydney Cricket and Sportsground Trust, the Wingecarribee Shire Council, Cricket Australia, Cricket NSW, University of Wollongong, cricket communities around the world and all those who have a passion for the game and its history.

He said, “To chair the Bradman Foundation for the past eight years has been one of the highlights of my career”.