In the last season the club suffered its most significant loss in its short history. I refer, of course, to the passing of our Patron in Perpetuity Walter Hadlee. Elsewhere in this report there are appropriate tributes to Walter, but can I add my own. It was his approach to the spirit and traditions of the game that inspired the original small founders group to realise the dream at Loburn. Walter was involved from the beginning, and gave freely of his time to support the club in all its endeavours. My favourite story is of Walter giving two young boys from Southland Boys’ High School a ride home after a St Bedes’ Dinner. Following a discussion in the car he proceeded to demonstrate batting technique to them on the footpath, no doubt enriching their cricketing and life knowledge. The club will not be the same for
his passing.
On a happier note, I am delighted to welcome as a new honorary member our Governor-General, His Excellency the Honourable Anand Satyanand. The club is privileged that the Governor-General accepted our invitation. We hope that in the coming season we will be able to institute a game between the Governor-General’s Youth XI and The Willows XI comprising past New Zealand
representatives.
Can I also pay tribute, and extend greetings, to our burgeoning overseas membership, including two
directors of the Australian Cricket Board.
On the playing field the club won 13 and lost 13. I suspect that may be our worst season ever, and scrutiny on the score cards would suggest on many occasions our top order failed to fire. We will, of course, look to improvement in the coming season.
As always, the club was dependent on the voluntary hard work of many individuals to enable it to function so successfully. I am particularly grateful for the enormous amount of work done by Vincent Cusack and Peter Devlin on the square. But many others contribute, including the umpires, the scorers, our caterer and our resident barbequers. Many other club members have contributed time to toil under the directions of our
founder in further improving our facilities. Although there are too many to name personally, they can rest assured that their efforts do not pass unnoticed. However, it would be remiss of me not to mention one member by name. On almost every Sunday during the season Peter Nancarrow can be found at the ground as match manager. He carries out that task with a wonderful attention to detail, and with constant good humour. His conduct of the after match functions is exemplary. Finally, I am extremely grateful for the almost excessive labours of our founder and the assistance that I have received from all of the members of your very able committee.
We move towards the next season without the guiding hand of Walter, but buoyed with a number of new and significant members. The club remains as strong as ever, and the dedication to the true traditions and values of the game we love continue to flourish at our beautiful ground.
The club remains in good heart, and I know you are all ready and willing to face the challenges that the next cricket season will bring.