Thursday, 20 February 2025

 Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Local Government) (10:00): In the 1950s residents of Tudor Street in East Bentleigh, although it was probably called South Oakleigh back then, organised a beach outing and played some cricket on the sand. It sounds pretty unremarkable, but from that game of beach cricket Mackie Cricket Club was born. I send my congratulations to the club on their 70th anniversary.

Arthur Roberts was the first president, and the newly formed club entered into what was then the City of Moorabbin Cricket Association, with Fred Graham as the inaugural captain. The club recently marked their milestone with a celebration at Yarra Yarra Golf Club, where committee members John Tantram, Ross Henderson, Marcus Middleton and Trudee Simpson reflected upon the club’s humble beginnings and the inaugural team in 1955. On the night Tony Evans and John Park were the first members to be inducted into the hall of fame, with immediate elevation to legend status.

The club is now planning its next 70 years, and I am playing a small part in that. It was my pleasure to be able to secure $3 million from the state government to rebuild their pavilion, and I am really excited that Glen Eira council will this year be appointing a builder to complete this important work. Why does the club need a new pavilion? Because it is not the size that it was back in 1955 – it now consists of five senior men’s teams, three senior women’s teams and 14 junior teams, including four girls teams. Finally, I want to thank my friend Ryan Fishlock for the information for this statement.