the history of western suburbs district cricket club 1921-2002

-16-1946-1968 JACK MCLAUGHLININTRODUCTIONWhen World War II finished on 25 August 1945, a new era in the history of Western Suburbs CricketClub was born.Some club members lost their lives in the war, others had promising cricket careers interrupted butthankfully returned. Two of these were Bob Stafford and Ern Toovey who survived the privations ofJapanese Prisoner of War Camps.The American Artillery unit stationed on the No. 2 oval returned home to the States. Graceville Oval andWests returned to their former glory. The No.1 Oval looked resplendent with its white picket fence, thegrandstand was filled with paying spectators for Saturday cricket, a turf pitch graced the No.3 oval, turfpractice wickets stood in front of the sight screen on No.1 oval and the pitches and playing surfaceregained its reputation of being the best in Brisbane.Cricket was back at Western Suburbs District Cricket Club.The motto for Wests at the time was not “I play with Western Suburbs” but “How well do I play forWestern Suburbs”.When the Intermediate Grade was introduced into the competition the committee likened it to a “SavingsBank” where the boys were the “club’s deposits”. If treasured carefully these “Deposits” with their“Accumulated Interest” should in later years provide the club with a “Reserve Fund” which should protectit against “Player Insolvency”.A review of the records during this period bears testimony to the investment made.There is no doubt that the period under review was a “Golden Era” in the history of the club: between1945-6 and 1970-1 seasons.! 3 players were chosen in Australian teams! 3 players Captained the state! 22 players gained Interstate Representation! The A Grade competition was won on five occasions! The lower grades won 13 premierships! Wests won the Club Championship three times and finished no lower than third on nineoccasions.These great statistics could not have been obtained without the preparedness of older players droppingdown to the lower grades to nurture the development of our youngsters and the depth of quality playersthroughout the club.I trust this history which I have conveyed to the club gives the members some sense of pride that it hasgiven me as I relive the many matches and happy memories that only cricket can provide.Any omissions are unintentional for which I apologise.WESTERN SUBURBS - THE FAMILY CLUBThe years following World War II became known as the “Baby Boomer” years.Families were being reunited, money was not that plentiful, television was still years away in Australia,there were no fast food outlets and shops did not trade after midday on Saturday. As a consequencefamilies had time to be associated with the club.Dad would be on the executive, or playing in the lower grades, mum would be helping in the refreshmentstall, junior would be playing in the Intermediate or Schoolboy Grade and our grandfather would be anassociated member of the club occupying his seat in the grandstand with his mates giving criticalcomment and praise on the players’ performances.Help and support was always available to players and families who were experiencing tragedy orpersonal difficulties.The following are some families associated with the club at that time:Freeman’s - George (father and Hon Secretary), John and David. The Freeman Family providedaccommodation to Ray Reynolds and the Trimble boys.Shaw’s - Bert (father and Hon Secretary), Hugh, Rog and Ken.Westaway’s - Ted (father), John, Les and Colin.Arthy’s - Cliff (father), Ted, Keith and Barry.McLaughlin’s - Red (father), Jack, Pat and Michael.Draney’s - George (Asst Secretary), Neville and Alan.Draney’s - Pop (father), John and Bill.Kricker’s - Cyril (father and Treasurer), Les and Geoff.McCasker’s - Les (father and manager schoolboy teams), Ross and Kim.No doubt there are many others who deserve recognition but memory does not enable me to recall them.Please accept my apologies for their omission.GRACEVILLE OVALSMany cricketers are prone to complain about the state of the pitch or the surrounding areas for thepaucity of their performances. The only answer to this is to give them a hose and roller on a Mondaymorning and ask them to prepare the grounds for next Saturday’s match. Then only will they realise thedifficulty facing our groundsmen in their effort to provide a stage where they can act their part.Western Suburbs cricketers have been fortunate over the years that the men holding the hose andpushing the roller have provided them with what is recognised as one of the best playing surfaces inBrisbane.Things changed in this era. The turf pitch was replaced with a synthetic surface and the dressing shedhas been removed from the No.3 oval. The wicket on the No.2 oval was relocated further to the north..The picket fence and turf practice wickets on the No.1 oval were no longer there. Synthetic practicewickets and nets replaced them on the west of the grandstand.