Ean Martin writes...
The Duck Award was a consant hand out of Andrew Stewart during his days as Unusual Pres Night Awards. One in particular comes to mind -
Thirroul Bowlo (The Old Thirroul bowling Club) downstairs in the dungeon away from everyone we were & Andrew presents Michael Innes (1st Grade player drafted in from the South Coast area by Bruce Jones - good player too Mick was) the award for the most ducks.
His award was an actual Live White Duck in a cage!!
Mick was speechless - as was most others who weren't rolling around with laughter.
From memory Wayne Milne (aka Veg to those who remember Wayne) took the bird home & it was given a new home in the Corrimal High School animal nursery the next morning.
Pete Cleaves writes...
Was a funny presentation, but it was actually to our other academy graduate of that year - Heath Mueller who was a very tidy left arm spin bowler.
He got picked for the NSW U/19 team, and at the carnival they went to in Perth he got a duck in every innings (well.. maybe not all, but it makes for a better story if you say that)
Was a live quacking duck an appropriate award to give someone who represented his state? You betcha!
Here is a photo of the 1st Grade team from that year - 91/92 season (late Penguin / early Butchers?)
Front Row
Heath Mueller - left arm spinner & academy graduate, duck owner, NSW shirt wearer. Good player, not a bad bloke
Mick Innes - Opening batter & academy graduate, left club to play with his academy mates at Balgownie
Brett Faragher (c) - Probably best batter in the district at the time, Scoo Becks brother
Glenn Shelton - stylish top order batsman - took the greatest catch I have ever seen that year
Back Row
Charlie Hunt - the team needed 11 to play
Andrew Stewart - probably the best keeper in the district at the time
Bruce Jones (coach) - orignal coach of the Illawarra Acedemy of Sport, former spinner at the club
Mick Hando - hard hitting batsman, and opening bowler (the Graeme Sismey of the time)
Ray Potter (scorer) - life member and club legend
Ronnie Glass - left arm fast bowler, very hairy man, top bloke
Phil Mulbaer - yes this is him !
Greg Shelton - good middle order batsman and occaisional bowler, had the best fast bowlers action you would ever see, if only he was a normal height. Former club president
James (Jock) Stewart - opening bat, had the golden summer, made his 1st grade debut in round 1 after Mick Allen pulled out, and never let him have a chance to get back in
(Mick was an opening bat back then)
Incidentally, this photo was taken at Hollymount Park. It was the home ground for Wests that year, the darkest period of Hollymount's history. It was the last game of the year, and we beat Wests to knock them out of the semis.
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