Wanderers' Life Member & Past President Fred Jacobson was last Sunday hounoured by Cricket Australia when International Cricket Council representative Martin Gleeson presented Jacobson with Cricket Australia's 50-year continuous service to cricket pin and a certificate from Queensland Cricket.
Fred's service to cricket extends much further than just Wanderers Cricket Club, Fred is a Life Member of Queensland Country Cricket, North Queensland Cricket and Townsville Cricket. Jacobson was instrumental in the development of Endeavour Park, was the organiser for the World Series Cricket tour to Townsville that saw West Indies playing in Townsville.
Fred is still actively involved with Wanderers Cricket Club being the Immediate Past President & current Assistant Secretary and still is actively involved in fund-raising each week conducting raffles at the Centenary Hotel.
The official press release from Cricket Australia appears below.
Cricket Australia recognises 50-year servants to club cricket
Cricket Australia has honoured 160 volunteers around the country for their 50-year service to community cricket.
To recognise the half-century milestone, the 160 volunteers have each received a commemorative pin and certificate presented by their state or territory cricket association.
Current players, administrators, ground-staff, match scorers and club members are among the list of long-serving volunteers.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland acknowledged that volunteers were the cornerstones of community cricket.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of cricket in Australian clubs and communities,” said Mr Sutherland.
“As part of our commitment to upholding the spirit of cricket and celebrating the place of cricket in the Australian community, we have introduced this initiative to recognise and reward those people who have given so generously to our game.
“A half-century milestone in cricket is no easy feat, and typically comes about with a great deal of effort, dedication and commitment to the cause.
“We value and respect the contribution that these 160 people – and the thousands of other volunteers around Australia – make to our game because they breathe life into clubs to keep them functioning week in and week out.”
This is the first year that Cricket Australia has recognised volunteers who have given 50 years of service. The volunteers recognised are still current members of their clubs.
Moving forward, volunteers who have achieved 50 years of service to cricket, and who are still actively involved in the game but are not necessarily members of a club, will be recognised for their contribution.
