Back to Ballan 2015
The Back to Ballan celebrations were well attended on Saturday night 28/2/2015, by approximately 140 current and ex members and partners . There were a lot of old faces that occasionally took a few minutes to recognise ( the passing of time will do that). But a lot of memories were rekindled about the good old days and a few tall stories in among them.
The evening was compared by Paul Dehnert, who did most of the running around to contact as many ex senior players that he could and to organize the evening. Mick Loughnane welcomed everybody to the nights festivities before passing over to Paul.
A slide show of photos was running in the background on the stage which kept a few people either amused or embarrassed but entertained none the less. Around the hall were many other photos that managed to bring back memories and many a talking point. Some so much so that a couple of them disappeared at the end of the night.
The honour boards were brought out on to the stage for all to see as these are the first for the Ballan Cricket Club. The first board is for the BCC Executive (Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers) and was brought out by David McConnell and Steven Gates. The next one for the Captains, Coaches & Club Champions presented by Noel Heafield and Darren Elmer and finally John Molesworth brought out the Life Members board.
During the evening the club remembered the past players who are no longer with us as their names were scrolled across the screen which finished with an unexpected round of applause. A fitting way to remember them.
After a 2 course meal, the Team of the Modern Era list of 22 players were introduced to the audience. This list was then narrowed down to the final list of 12 who then became "The Team of The Modern Era". Paul read out the list, in batting order, one by one and spoke about each player and their achievements with their cricket careers, finally ending with Captain & Vice Captain. The team consists of; Gerrard Mullane, Neville Smith, John Molesworth (c), Mick Loughnane (vc), Darren Elmer, Chris Mullane, Glen Herring, David McConnell, Noel Heafield, Chris Thom, Michael Conroy & Jack White. A formidable team if they could have all played together at their peak. As Paul said, 'It would be a great game of cricket if all these players (22) could play off in a match at their prime"
John Molesworth gave a short speech with a few anecdotes about some of the men he had played with.
Shortly after the music began and a few danced the night away.
Overall a terrific night was had by all along with some comments like " we should have done this a long time ago"
Many Thanks to Paul Dehnert & Mick Loughnane for their organizing of the night and the Honour boards etc.
Thanks to the girls who waited on tables and behind the bar (& Peter) also to those who helped set up and clean the hall after the night.
The Back to Ballan celebrations were well attended on Saturday night 28/2/2015, by approximately 140 current and ex members and partners . There were a lot of old faces that occasionally took a few minutes to recognise ( the passing of time will do that). But a lot of memories were rekindled about the good old days and a few tall stories in among them.
The evening was compared by Paul Dehnert, who did most of the running around to contact as many ex senior players that he could and to organize the evening. Mick Loughnane welcomed everybody to the nights festivities before passing over to Paul.
A slide show of photos was running in the background on the stage which kept a few people either amused or embarrassed but entertained none the less. Around the hall were many other photos that managed to bring back memories and many a talking point. Some so much so that a couple of them disappeared at the end of the night.
The honour boards were brought out on to the stage for all to see as these are the first for the Ballan Cricket Club. The first board is for the BCC Executive (Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers) and was brought out by David McConnell and Steven Gates. The next one for the Captains, Coaches & Club Champions presented by Noel Heafield and Darren Elmer and finally John Molesworth brought out the Life Members board.
During the evening the club remembered the past players who are no longer with us as their names were scrolled across the screen which finished with an unexpected round of applause. A fitting way to remember them.
After a 2 course meal, the Team of the Modern Era list of 22 players were introduced to the audience. This list was then narrowed down to the final list of 12 who then became "The Team of The Modern Era". Paul read out the list, in batting order, one by one and spoke about each player and their achievements with their cricket careers, finally ending with Captain & Vice Captain. The team consists of; Gerrard Mullane, Neville Smith, John Molesworth (c), Mick Loughnane (vc), Darren Elmer, Chris Mullane, Glen Herring, David McConnell, Noel Heafield, Chris Thom, Michael Conroy & Jack White. A formidable team if they could have all played together at their peak. As Paul said, 'It would be a great game of cricket if all these players (22) could play off in a match at their prime"
John Molesworth gave a short speech with a few anecdotes about some of the men he had played with.
Shortly after the music began and a few danced the night away.
Overall a terrific night was had by all along with some comments like " we should have done this a long time ago"
Many Thanks to Paul Dehnert & Mick Loughnane for their organizing of the night and the Honour boards etc.
Thanks to the girls who waited on tables and behind the bar (& Peter) also to those who helped set up and clean the hall after the night.
Photos from the night thanks to Adrian Wilson
Ballan's "Team of the Modern Era"
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Presidents speech
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The top 22 in line for the "Team of the Modern Era"
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BCC
Back to Ballan Commemorative Glasses $ 8.00 each $45 per ½ Dozen Limited Stock Cervoise 12 ¾ Oz |
Thank-you and we hope you had a great time there.
