AGM 27-5-2021

Presidents Report

Ah season 2020/21………COVID, enough said…….

A season like no other before and I hope like no other to come. What an incredibly tough season it was and a huge achievement to even get on the park. So much compliance and paper work to sort out before we could even train, then when training did start it was groups of 10 and couldn’t be at Marcellin. I felt an impact off the field with limited social events and chances to socialise especially early in the season, but I think like myself, most players were just happy to be out of the house and training and playing sport again. It was our first taste of normal after such a tough year. A big congratulations to the entire committee but especially Covid officer’s Tim Rush and Paul Dinneen who both worked very hard to get us on the park, sort out QR code, compliance and source another ground and training facility while we couldn’t use Marcellin.

A big thank you to Marcellin college and the staff there. We work closely with Phil, Nick and Richard for all things Covid and to return to training and playing at the school when it was safe to do so. Also to curator Leon and his team who week after week produce some of the best facilities to play on.

In such an unpredictable year, majority of our sponsors stuck by us and we even found a couple of new sponsors all willing to see community sport succeed in tough times. The support from our sponsors is always overwhelming and never goes underappreciated. See our sponsors below and thank you to each and every one of them.

Donnellans the Tyremen, Planning Partners, Bendigo Bank, Balwyn Building, Eastern Techno Solutions, LW Group, J N Sons Haulage, Coates Hire Bulleen, Grandview hotel Fairfield, Bulleen Eyecare and Big Swing golf Kew.

It had to wait an extra year due to the lockdowns, but we finally got to induct Mick Lowry as a life member of the club at the recent presentation night. Stating at the club in the early 90s, playing over 200 games and making over 3000 runs, Mick has been a big part of the club. 

New player Daniel Kiely has been named in the Dunstan team of the year squad, this is a great achievement, and the final team will be announced at the coming ECA presentation night. Speaking of new players, we saw multiple new faces down at the club this season which was fantastic. Chetan Joshi and Paul Dinneen have been the big driving force behind this and the club continues to grow.

With results not going the way of the 1s and 2s in the last round of the home and away season (both games down to the last over) and then falling so close yet just short of finals it was the 4th XI who represented the club in finals this season. After a comfortable semi final win the faced of against great rival Heathmont in the grand final. After a tight battle it was the MOCCC 4th XI bloke who came out on top claiming the ultimate success and what we all aim for each season. Congratulations to skipper Brett Meehan and the team on a great season and great result. 

Lastly a quick North East link update. After working closely with Phil and the college as well at NELP and a few others we finally have a clear view of what this project means for MOCCC. Marcellin was named a “no go” zone for the project meaning we will continue to be able to use the excellent facilities that Marcellin have and play cricket on the grounds most of us went to school on. A massive shout out to Julian Sakowski and Garry French for there help on this one and really helping save the club in a way. While this project will impact the front of the school somewhat its great knowing we will still be able to use the ovals into the future.

A big thank you to all the committee who volunteer many hours to make the club function and so strongly too, the club wouldn’t be around without these people giving up their time. We look forward to season 2021/22 and hope it is more ‘normal’ with no Covid impact. It is the club 50th season and we look forward to celebrating with a big function looking to be held in February but more on this to come.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to support or help the club in any way please let me know.

Cheers

Peter French

MOCCC President