By Marg Stork
I WAS browsing through a faded and tattered copy of the Dandenong Journal’s 1865-1965 souvenir issue during the Christmas break when a headline jumped out at me — one that would have given pleasure to my late brother Rowlie and the Journal’s former editor Greg Dickson, both Dandenong cricketers.
The triumphant headline told it all: ‘The Day We Beat the English at Cricket’.
The report of the Dandenong cricketers’ victory over the English team reads, in part: “What is today the headquarters of cricket and football in Dandenong — Shepley Oval, at the bottom end of Pultney Street — was once the venue of a two-day match between an English team, captained by the renowned AE Stoddart, and a Dandenong district side. And Dandenong made cricket history by winning.”
The match was a big occasion for our little town, so much so that when negotiations for the game were completed, a strong local committee was formed to organise the match. Working bees enclosed the cricket ground with a six-foot paling fence.
A national sporting paper of the day, The Referee, in its issue of January 30, 1895, had a report on the match, played on January 25 and 26. More than 2000 spectators enjoyed the event.
Pictures of the Dandenong cricketers also appeared on other pages of the Journal’s souvenir.
Waltz on, Matilda
Now that the clock is ticking off the new year, the next big thing is, of course, Saturday, January 26.
And it’s not just a long weekend. It’s also the day we celebrate all things Aussie, with a Greater Dandenong flavour.
For a start, there’s the city’s annual citizenship ceremony and citizen of the year awards at the Drum Theatre.
About 100 people will be feted by family and friends as they become Australian citizens — possibly with a native plant to keep and a plate of Aussie tucker served up.
For the rest of us, there’s a festival from 3-9.30pm in the Dandenong Park in Pultney Street and special events at the Returned and Services League clubs.
Always a crowd-pleaser, the festival starts with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony performed by a Wurundjeri elder. Other indigenous performances are also on the cards.
Three stages will feature live music and dance. Talented local artists will bob up on the Family Stage, Youth Stage, and Dandenong Circle.
Fire twirlers and circus performers will do the rounds and the littlies will love the arts, crafts and kindergym. Tastebud-tempting food stalls will do a roaring trade.
Do you have a milestone, memory or question for Marg? Email marg@yourweekly.com.au or post submissions to A Moment with Marg, c/o The Dandenong Journal, PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175.
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