YARRAVILLE was one big cricket pitch in 1945 and Claude Dunn was one of its best players. The years may have changed Yarraville, but not much has changed for the cricketer, who still picks up the bat at 78 years of age.
Mr Dunn was last week recognised for his contribution to the development of cricket in the Western suburbs during the Rotary Club of Footscray’s John H.Kerr community service awards.
Guests and award recipients joined Rotarians last Thursday to pay tribute to volunteers from throughout the municipality who play an essential role in the community.
Mr Dunn’s long and distinguished cricket career and his long-term involvement with the Kingsville Baptist Church earned him significant recognition during the annual awards ceremony.
He was humble in his acceptance of the award when he spoke on behalf of the six award recipients.
“We receive these [awards], I guess for doing the things we do, but we must always think of Rotary and thank them for all the things they do,” he said.
Mr Dunn’s sports career and involvement would put many a cricketer to shame with 244 wickets, 500 games and 10,700 runs to his name at the Kingsville club.
“If I am not playing cricket I am administrating it,” he said.
He still holds a number of official positions including president of the Kingsville Baptist Cricket Club, which he has held for the last 26 years.
Mr Dunn moved to Yarraville in 1945 to work on the railways when, he said Francis St was just a creek and when you could stand near Severn St and see the Footscray Cemetery.
“Back then it was open paddocks and you could play cricket just about anywhere,” he said.
Mr Dunn said it was difficult to list career highlights, but some of his more memorable moments include captaining four premiership sides, playing interstate cricket and making many friends.
Others honoured for their service to the community include Joy Hennessy who was nominated among many reasons for her service with the Lions Club of Footscray and the Spastic Society.
Norah McRoberts was acknowledged for her volunteer work at the op shop, her career as a nurse and her role in the St Andrews Church congregation.
Ted Williams received his award for his role as treasurer of Heartbeat, the Epworth Hospital volunteer fund raising and support group.
Dedicated volunteers Ruth Steward and Mavis Jamieson are also made of the special stuff needed to create volunteers. Mrs Steward has dedicated many years to the Parkinson’s Group and the Westgate Baptist Church and together with her husband and fellow sporting enthusiasts created the Little Athletics Club in Yarraville.
Mrs Jamieson shares Mrs Steward’s passion for athletics and has spent many years with the Williamstown club while balancing her time with her devotion to the arts.
