Cricket Victoria will hold it's 50 Year Service Awards on Day Three of the 2019 Boxing Day Test against New Zealand. This is the 16th consecutive year of the awards, that look to highlight those who have contributed outstanding service as either a player, coach, official, administrator or volunteer of our great game.
Hosted in the historical Olympic Room, 30 recipients, who were nominated by their peers, receive a framed certificate signed by Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts and Cricket Victoria CEO Andrew Ingleton to thank them for their contribution and commitment to cricket in Victoria.
Among those recognised is Michael Brettargh, who has given 65 years of outstanding service to St Barnabas Cricket Club. Michael has spent his entire career at St Barnabas CC, beginning in 1955. Michael enjoyed a decorated playing career which spanned close to 400 senior games and many junior games, as well as being a premiership player and premiership captain. He also spent over a decade on the club committee including a long stint as President.
Even though he has stopped playing, Michael makes the trip every Saturday by public transport from Ballarat to North Balwyn to watch his beloved club. He always makes sure he has a jacket, so he can go out and umpire. He helps out with scoring and assists with club duties in any way he can. He's often described as a true gentleman, wonderful clubman and a cricket lover.
The Awards are a fantastic opportunity for Victoria Cricket to thank local heroes like Bill, that make community cricket possible.
Cricket Victoria would like to congratulate the 30 volunteers who thoroughly deserve their award for their tireless contribution to cricket for over 50 years:
| Name | Club/s | Years of service |
| Russell Baldi (deceased) |
Numurkah Youth Club, Numurkah Youth CC | 50 years |
| Michael Brettargh | St Barnabas CC | 65 years |
| Robert Butler | Harrisfield CC, Parkfield CC | 60 years |
| John Edgar | Burwood CC | 52 years |
| Malcolm Fielden | Burwood CC | 51 years |
| Raymond Finn | Victoria CC, Teachers' CC, Buckley Park CC | 53 years |
| Ian Fyfe | Blackburn South CC | 55 years |
| Anthony Grace | Camberwell CC | 50 years |
| Nick Hamer | South Croydon CC | 50 years |
| Ivo Havard | Werribee CC | 50 years |
| Brian Hedger | Camrea CC, East Preston YCW, Croxton Methodist CC, Riverside CC | 51 years |
| Peter Hogan | Bonbeach CC, Chelsea YCW Junior Sporting Club | 50 years |
| Graeme Hudson | Coburg CC, Broadmeadows CC, Preston CC, Taylors Lakes CC | 50 years |
| Julian Hughes | Washington CC, Glen Waverley Church of Christ CC, Eastern Umpires Association | 60 years |
| Lawrie Jephcott | Camrea CC | 53 years |
| Allan Logan | Washington/Washington Park CC, SECA | 55 years |
| Ron Luff | Burwood CC, Northcote CC, Hawthorn East CC | 53 years |
| Mark McInnes | Springvale CC | 50 years |
| Ian McRae | Jung CC, Burwood Uniting Canterbury CC | 55 years |
| Mervyn Miller | Blackburn South CC | 55 years |
| Ian Pritchard | Box Hill Methodists CC, Springvale CC, Leopold CC, Drysdale CC, Geelong Seniors CC, Geelong CC, Australian Over 60s | 53 years |
| Geoff Stafford | Hexham CC, Mortlake CC, South West Cricket Association | 57 years |
| Colin Young | Blackburn South CC | 51 years |
