Scotch College

Lunch with Ray and Bruce

It was sport from boundary to boundary when Ray Sneddon, the Marketing and Communications Manager of the Australian Cricket Board, addressed our March luncheon at the Australian Club.

With an extensive involvement in many sporting areas, he was well qualified to speak on both the administration and participation of sport, particularly on the health of Cricket today, at both the local and international level. The International season just completed had provided plenty of controversial issues for the Board to contend with.

The development of a strategic plan for Cricket is seen as a move towards presenting the game on an improved level for International and popular presentation. The support for more encouragement among ethnic groups is a project of considerable importance to the future of the game in Australia. Despite all the controversy it was still a very successful and positive Australian season. Mark Taylor's Captaincy and his recognition as the 'Australian of The Year', together with Ian Healy's records capped off by a winning Australian season. Cricket is still regarded as the Number One sport in this country.

It was important that the future management of cricket and all sports was seen to be more transparent. The technological advances of communications had provided a big leap in promoting the professionalism, now adopted by the ACB.

Ray also spoke of his association with the football world and, among the questions raised, was the relationship of the AFL and the MCC, together with the VCA and the new management of the MCC Trust.

Ray has recently been elected to the Council of OSCA, where his skills will add a much needed dimension.

Seventy Year reunion

The Cardinal Pavilion was the venue for the gathering of the 70 Year Reunion of the 1929 School Leavers. Although not many in number, their presence added enormously to the essence of the April Monthly Luncheon, which was addressed by Bruce Ruxton AM OBE.

Mr. Ruxton, as expected, was both controversial and provocative on the very wide range of topics he covered. Not one to hold back in expressing his viewpoint, we were well informed of the many changes which have overtaken our society and the problems that we now face. His concern for the high rate of unemployment and the difficulties of rural Australia, brought about by policies of which we seem to be the only ones participating, 'on a level playing field'.

The denigration of our heritage, the changes of traditional institutions and practices, were all issues which have altered our cultural base. A very strong Monarchist, he deplores the eroding of the confidence that Constitutional changes will make to the beliefs, which so many hold dear. He sees no benefit in changing the Flag or in altering a Constitution which has us served so well. Our financial debt to other countries is of a far greater concern than any necessity for Constitutional change.

His assessment of today's youth and their interest and involvement in their Australian heritage indicated a swing back to the recognition of the values of previous times. The support and appreciation of Anzac Day, and what it means, has shown by them a greater understanding of the sacrifices made to build this country.