Cricket at the G revisited

Sam Hartwig from Bacchus Marsh Library. A commemorative book is available to sign at Lerderderg Library in Bacchus Marsh and then at Ballan's Council offices to mark the 150th anniversary of a remarkable achievement in Australia's sporting history. Photo by Luke Hemer.

One hundred and fifty years ago, an Aboriginal cricket team from western Victoria travelled to Melbourne to play against the Melbourne Cricket Club at the ‘G’.

To commemorate this momentous occasion, the residents of Harrow, near Edenhope, held a special launch in March – the Mullagh Wills Foundation ‘Journey to the G’.

As part of the launch, a message book has been travelling through every municipality from West Wimmera en route to the MCG, where it will be presented at the Boxing Day Test match.

The message book has been at Lerderderg library and Moorabool council’s Ballan offices for the past few weeks, and will be passed on to Melton council to add its motion of reconciliation and support on Monday, November 14, before continuing its journey.

The Mullagh Wills Foundation recognises the achievements of the Aboriginal cricket team in the 1860s. It was named in honour of Johnny Mullagh – the star of the team – and Tom Wills, the original coach.