SPORT

The great Doug Walters ’ contribution to cricket – during and after his magnificent career on the pitch – has earned him many accolades including being anointed a Member of the British Empire in 1975 , and in 2022 becoming a Member of the Order of Australia .

Both awards were presented to Doug for his significant service to cricket “ at the elite level ”.

Doug was also chuffed at being inducted into Cricket Australia ’ s Hall of Fame in 2011 , having a stand at the Sydney Cricket Ground named for him in 1985 ( since demolished ) and currently a bar in the Victor Trumper Stand carries his name .

Obviously the 78-year-old – he turns 79 on December 21 – is delighted to have earned those honours , but after chatting to him recently , there ’ s something afoot which has him “ absolutely thrilled ”.

And that ’ s the erection of a more than life-sized bronze statue of the great cricketer to be placed in his hometown , Dungog !

“ It is being sculpted down in Melbourne by renowned sculptor , Louis Laumen , who has produced some

Dashing Doug Walters cuts a ball to the fence . The great batsmen is to be honoured in having a larger than lifesized bronze sculpture of him erected in his old home town , Dungog . absolutely great works , including Winx and High Bowman , and ( Sir Edward ) Weary Dunlop ,” Doug explained .

I told Doug that I was surprised there ’ s not already a statue of him in his old hometown .

“ I ’ ve since learned that deep – very deep – pockets are needed to fund these large bronze statues , but a group of old mates have been able to raise enough reddies to enlist the services of Mr Laumen ,” Doug said .

“ It all came about last year when a big group of friends and I – there ’ s normally 25 or so of us - had our annual weekend trip to Dungog .

“ It ’ s always a great time away – we play golf on the Sunday and bowls on Saturday morning , after which there ’ s lots of punting and a few thirst-quenchers downed in the clubhouse .

“ Someone mentioned that there wasn ’ t a statue of me in my birthplace and said , ‘ let ’ s do something about it ’ – and so they have !”

One of those Dungog trips-away mates , Andrew Johnston , and Doug ’ s son , Brynlee , got to work with fellow travelers to organise a golf tournament in a bid to start raising the necessary moolah .

Well , it was a first-round knockout to the fundraising committee – at the tournament , held at Muirfield Golf Club on August 22 , a whopping $ 120,000 was piled into the kitty .

More than enough to ensure that the talented Louis Laumen could work his magic !

Yep , $ 120,000 , which goes to show how much this cricketing great means to his fellow Australians !

“ It was just an amazing day , and I tell you I was gobsmacked by the amount of money raised through the entry fees , raffles and auction ,” Doug said .

“ I ’ ll be forever grateful to Brynlee and Andrew and the rest of the mob for raising the funds , and sweet-talking the very-much in demand , Louis Laumen , into taking on the project .”

Louis Laumen reports he has just put the finishing touches to a “ half life-sized ” sculpture of Doug as a guide for when he begins work on the 115 per cent life-sized image of the swashbuckling Doug at bat .

“ I am currently in the middle of a major project for Canberra but once I have completed that commission , which should be early next year , I ’ ll begin working on the Doug Walters bronze ,” Louis said .

The segue into this item is that back in March 1968 , I got the gig as copyboy on the Daily Mirror sports section on which the revered Ossie Imber was the racing editor .

Ossie was of the old school – tough and honest as the day is long .

His nose should have been longer than Pinocchio ’ s , such was his ability to sniff out a story !

I ’ ll never , ever , ever forget Ossie telling me something which I ’ ll remember until I go back into the earth . Or up in smoke .

“ Young fella , be always wary of someone giving you something for nothing , because , sure as eggs is eggs , down the track you ’ ll be expected to give something in return ,” Ossie said .

Ossie never accepted invitations to after-race drinks in race club committee rooms or with trainers and jockeys at their watering holes .

Despite not socialising with the racing fraternity , he was inarguably one of the most respected racing writers of his era , which spanned The Great Depression until his retirement in 1970 .

Which gives me a lead-in to the stuff going on with Qantas and all the Brown Tongues in Federal Parliament who accept largesse from the airline in the shape of seating upgrades and being able to pass the “ no riffraff ” sign on their way into the Chairman ’ s Lounge .

I ’ ll just end this little tirade by just reminding you it was Albanese and his fellow Brownies who gave Qatar airlines the flick when they wanted to operate more flights into and out of Australia . And ensure cheaper prices . Altogether now ! Let ’ s belt out that Qantas tune - “ No matter how far , or how wide I roam , I still call Australian airtravelers ’ mugs ”.

HIGH MARKS : Louis Laumen jumped at the opportunity to create Doug Walters sculpture . As did all of our generation , he was a great admirer of the renowned cricketer .

CAMBAR – watch out for when this 3Yo colt comes to town . Unbeaten in two outings out of her Wagga stables and most recently blitzed a 1000m at Gundagai in fast time on November 16 .

BROADWAY BOUNCER finished powerfully to win 1000m trial at M ’ brook on November 15 . Didn ’ t come up last but should bounce back to form going on that effort .

LORD OF BISCAY former British based galloper which indicated he could be set for a successful campaign in never being du-up at any stage in finishing 2 nd in H ’ bury 100m trial Nov 14 .

RESTONICA was just out for a pipe-opener when 3 rd in 1000m trial at H ’ bury on Nov 14 . The final 50 = 600m was out behind them in 33.09 .

MAGENTA and SWIFT GUN absolutely flew home under tight holds when 3 rd and 4 th respectively in 1000m H ’ bury trial Nov 14 . Don ’ t let them get under your guard .

LULL is an unraced Exceed And Excel 2YO filly out of the cummings yard . Could not have been more impressive in effortlessly winning 800m trial at H ’ bury on November 14 .

Team

THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! ISSUE 114 // DECEMBER 2024 29