By Nick Creely
Highly regarded in cricketing circles, Gary Davidson is now the new president of Dandenong, with the Panthers set to enter a new era in the Victorian Premier Cricket competition.
Davidson, a former Wookey Medal winner with Berwick in 1999/00, will take the reins in 2018/19 after it was announced at the AGM on Monday 18 June at the social rooms at Shepley Oval.
A champion of the Dandenong District Cricket Association, Davidson has been with the Panthers for almost a decade, and has served numerous roles on the committee.
He replaces Michael Findlay, who stood down as president on the night after a stellar stint in the top job. Findlay will remain at the club on a committee level, after being on the leading front of three premierships during his time in charge.
There has been some change on a committee level at the club, with Shahid Malik now in as treasurer, while Brent Fairbanks, Andrew Newman and Darren Pattinson will join the committee.
Three champions of the club were also given life membership at the Panthers, in recognition of their contribution both on and off the field.
Current first XI opening batsman Brett Forsyth – who has scored over 7000 runs in his time at the club – was the first inducted, and is coming off his most prolific season (825 runs) since back in 2011/12.
Left-arm quick Justin Butterfield – who was a staple of the first XI bowling attack since first getting a crack in the top-side in 2007/08 until 2016/17 – was the second inducted, while club stalwart Mark Boraston was rewarded for his impact over so many years at the club.
