Local cricket legend, Allan Waller, now 89, played all his club cricket at Glenaladale.
His first game of club cricket was against Fernbank in 1948 at 14 years of age.
He remembers the occasion well as Fernbank had a demon fast bowler named Scott.
The bowler took pity on the ‘kid’ at the batting crease and cut his pace, but once he was whacked around the field a couple times by the talent youngster, the bowler stepped up the pace before he eventually captured Waller’s wicket.
Waller was largely self taught but he had some great mentors at Glenaladale in Bill Hand, Jim Nance and Bob Banks, among others.
He attended the Bairnsdale Technical School and played cricket at recess, learning his early skills from other boys who he would eventually play against on Saturdays in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association (BCA).
His ability saw him included in the strong Glenaladale teams that went on to win successive premierships during the 1950s and 1960s.
Waller played in the Country Week team of 1961 and was included in BCA representative sides playing in the Gippsland Cricket League.
Waller recalls in those very early years, every locality in the district had a cricket team.
Places like Munro, Delvine, Calulu and Forge Creek to name a few.
The Saturday outings to the local cricket were always supported by the communities, not to mention the lavish spreads that were put on at afternoon tea.
Grounds were sometimes very rough and pitches were covered in either matting or later on, malthoid.
Like all players in those early years, cricket equipment was very basic and a good deal of courage was often a basic requirement.
He greatly admired the courage of Bob Banks who, as an opening batsman, withstood the barrage of fast bowling from the opposition bowlers with little more than batting gloves and a box.
“He must have had bruises all over him on some occasions,” Waller said.
Waller went on to captain Glenaladale for several years before retiring from playing in 1974.
His greatest memories are of playing against the likes of Bruce Fountain, Ron Bennett, Tiger Lake, Alan Jones, Charlie Owen, Ray Hack and Jack Hathaway.
He then gave back to the game by way of coaching the young boys coming on at Glenaladale.
He still follows the local cricket and can be seen reminiscing around the grounds with the many friends he made all those years ago.
Waller will be one of many local cricketing legends recognised at this Saturday’s Bairnsdale Cricket Association 100-year celebration at Club Eastwood, which will feature former Australian representatives Brad Hodge and local hero, Cameron White.
