BCA LIFE MEMBERS
The BCA recognises the significant contributors to cricket in the Ballarat region by awarding Life Membership.
The individuals listed below have served the Ballarat Cricket Association above all others and have all helped shape the BCA through its long history to what it is today.
The following people are members of the BCA Hall of Fame:
LIFE MEMBERS
LEGEND
Rex Hollioake
Rex was the first Ballarat Cricket Association member to be elevated to Legend status. His contributions to cricket were almost un-paralleled and have been recognised at levels well above the BCA.
He is pictured with BCA President, Rob Florence receiving his recognition at his home in March 2017.
LEGEND
Allan Spratling
Dec. December 30, 2018
Allan "Ally" Spratling was the second Ballarat Cricket Association stalwart elevated to Legend status. Ally's contributions were endless and he will forever be etched into BCA folklore.
He is pictured with BCA President, Rob Florence receiving his recognition at his home in March 2018. Sadly, Ally passed away on December 30, 2018.
W. H. (Peter) Heinz
Dec. March 26, 2009
After a term of 20 years, W.H. (Peter) Heinz resigned as President of the Ballarat Cricket Association leading into the 1970-71 season. In recognition of two decades of outstanding leadership and interest in every facet of the game, Peter was awarded a Life Membership of the BCA. Peter also spent 19 years as President of the VCCL starting in 1968-69. He was awarded and O.A.M for his contribution to the community and in particular cricket in 1994.
Peter also had an illustrious playing career, being and A Grade opening batsman for North Ballarat for about 30 years. He started playing in 1937 and retired about 1970 having missed the seasons between 1941 and '46 due to WWII. His contribution to the development of cricket in Ballarat and Country Victoria is equal to any other and grew out of his great love for the game.
Ewen Kirton
Dec. December 14, 1990
In recognition of his service to country cricket, Ewen Kirton was awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours lists in 1973. He was awarded Life Membership of the Ballarat Cricket Association in November, 1986, having been actively involved in cricket administration for almost 56 years including a term of 40 consecutive years as Secretary of the Victorian Country Cricket League. Ewen spent 22 years as Treasurer of the Ballarat Cricket Association and in 1963 was awarded Life Membership of the VCCL. The cup presented to VCCL Country Week by the BCA was called the E.C.Kirton Cup in recognition of Ewen's contribution to cricket in Ballarat and Victoria.
Len Dunkley-Smith
Dec. January 18, 2019
A long term commitment to cricket at all levels saw Len receive two cricket life membership awards - to the VCCL in 1981 and to the BCA in 1985. Len was a founding Director of the BCA in 1950 and secretary for 25 years - Ballarat Country Week organiser for 23 years - VCCL Zone representative for more than 17 years and a member of the Appeals Committee. His service to cricket complemented a long playing career dating back to before WWII and included stints in the Churches Association, the Industrial association, the Ballarat Cricket League and the BCA. Len also holds life membership the Ballarat Basketball Association and the Ballarat Basketball Referees Association.
Allan Spratling
Dec. December 30, 2018
After a continuous 22 years on the BCA committee Allan Spratling was awarded Life Membership in 1989-90. His untiring efforts have included an uncountable amount of years on the BCA Pennant Committee and management of the Ballarat Country Week team which he took over in 2000 from the late Vin Cahill. He has also had a great influence in his own Club and on other BCA activities. In season 1999-2000 Allan reached the 40 year milestone as Mt. Clear Cricket Club President. He was recognised at a dinner held at the VCA (Now Cricket Victoria) where he was awarded a VCA Outstanding Volunteer Award for his contribution to cricket, not only as Mt. Clear President but for his involvement in cricket in general whether as Chairman of the Pennant Committee, BCA team manager organiser of wicket layer.
Vin Cahill
Dec. April 2, 2015
Vin was awarded the Ballarat Cricket Association's 5th Life Membership in September 1991. Vin, who played A Grade cricket for many years and captained Ballarat representative sides including a Country Week premiership, can list as one of his achievements the scoring of 194 runs on the Melbourne Cricket Ground in a Country Week final. From 1953-58 and again from 1969-74 Vin was a member of the BCA Selection Committee and from 1954-57 he served on the Executive. He managed the Country Week team for 23 years. From 1976 to 1999 and has also been heavily involved with the Central Highlands Zone as a manager of Junior zone teams. After not seeking re-election to the BCA Board for season 1999-2000, Vin was awarded the inaugural Bob Merriman Medallion for his contribution to country cricket.
Ron Jennings
Ron has been involved at a range of levels in cricket including Club, Association and Region.
Brown Hill Cricket Club
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Treasurer and Committee Member
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Played as an A Grade opening bowler from 1988/89 until 1995/96 captaining the club to two A grade BCA premiership wins.
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Gave back to club cricket by captaining and developing younger players in the BHCC third eleven for 5 seasons.
BCA
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President of the Ballarat Cricket Association for 8 seasons from 2003 to 2011.
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BCA administration and meeting were conducted from his professional offices in Lydiard St. During his tenure as president the cricket headquarters located at the Eastern Oval where constructed and established – providing a long term home for cricket administration
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Participated in the organizing committee for a number of state ING cup one day cup matches held in Ballarat.
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Ensured turf cricket was played during the drought years of the 2000’s by securing grants to provide onsite tanks and infrastructure. Other regional competitions abandoned turf cricket
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A staunch supporter of representative cricket including Melbourne Country week, serving as chairman of selectors for many years. Reestablishing the BCA as a force at country week level
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Chair of BCA junior sub committee and County Week selector VCCL Central Highlands Region
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President and member of VCCL Central Highlands Region for many years
Ray Lythgo
Dec. April 28, 2016
At the time of receiving his life membership in August 1992 Ray had been a member of the BCA Pennant Committee since 1970 and a junior recorder for 20 years. He had been deputy chairman of the Pennant Committee and coach and selector of the junior country week team.
Ray was also Golden Point's junior representative on the BCA for six years, coached Golden Point juniors for 12 years and is a Golden Point life member.
Ray played cricket for 30 years and BCA committee member for 25 years
Rex Hollioake
Rex Hollioake's outstanding contribution to Ballarat Cricket, including 27 years as BCA President, has earned him the title of Ballarat's "Mr. Cricket" and a Life Membership in season 1997-98. His association with the BCA began in 1945, first as a player and then as an administrator. Referred to as "Thommo of the bush", in Ken Piesse and Alf Wilson's book Bradmans of the Bush - The legends and larrikins of Australian bush cricket Rex played 349 A Grade matches and several international games. Highlights of his time with the BCA include winning Provincial Group of Melbourne Country Week three years in succession; hosting the Victorian Country v India game in 1987; the Victoria v England game in 1985; the Menzies Memorial match Victoria v England in 1990 and the World Cup England v Sri Lanka game in 1992. This game drew a crowd of 13,037 with the gates having to be closed at 10am. Rex, who was recognised as a man with the right contacts in the cricket world, was BCA President for each of these significant events.
Geoff McRae
Having been VCCL President for 10 years, Vice-President of the Ballarat Cricket Association for 19, Victorian Country team Manager several times, a VCCL selector, a VCA U18 selector a BCA selector, Coach and mentor and having an extensive role with the Central Highlands Region Pathways Program and Ballarat Junior Country Week on top of a hugely successful playing career earned Geoff Life Membership of the BCA in 2001. Geoff played A Grade cricket with Wendouree until he was 45 years old before moving to lower grades for 6 or 7 seasons. He began his playing career in Horsham representing them in Melbourne Country Week at the tender age of 17. Geoff played with Melbourne Uni, Richmond and Leongatha before starting a long career with Wendouree and a distinguished association with the BCA both as player and administrator.
Bryan Metcalfe
Bryan has made a substantial contribution to cricket as a BCA administrator and as a player and club administrator at the Wendouree Cricket Club.
At BCA level Bryan was a committee and board member with the important portfolio of treasurer for 14 years. His key achievements included:
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Chaired the organizing committee for a number of state ING cup one day cup matches held in Ballarat, particularly liaising with Cricket Victoria on all matters relating to the staging of the matches in Ballarat.
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Negotiating and overseeing the construction of the BCA headquarters at the Eastern Oval.
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Established the fees and charges agreement with the Ballarat City Council to ensure that turf wicket cricket in Ballarat was retained.
As a stalwart of the Wendouree Cricket Club Bryan contributed as a talented player and administrator:
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Life Member, Treasurer and Committee Member
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Played as an A Grade opening batsman 16 seasons from the early 1970’s including six BCA A grade premiership.
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Represented Ballarat at Melbourne Country Week
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In 1979 he was selected from a Sunraysia Cricket Carnival to play as an opening batsman in a match against the Victorian Sheffield Shield side in Mildura
Trevor McCann
