Arthur Pritchard
Since joining Essendon Veterans Cricket Club in 2008, Arthur’s contribution to both the club and Victorian veterans’ cricket has been outstanding. As a member of the executive committee since 2012, he has consistently provided a voice of reason and served as a trusted sounding board for many of the club’s activities and challenges.
What was your cricketing background, Arthur?
“Summer sport meant many battles with my older brother Graeme in the backyard as well as ‘test’ matches at a couple of mates’ places. At primary school it involved daily lunch time games amongst peers culminating in the highlight of the week – Friday inter-school sport in which I participated whilst in grades 5 & 6.
Unbeknown to my mother, who thought I was too young, I attended an U-16 practice session at my local McKinnon CC whilst still at Primary school and was selected for the following Saturday. That commenced a seven year involvement that led to playing juniors in the morning and seniors in the afternoons at various levels before progressing as an opening bat to the 1st XI and being part of the 1964-65 VTCA premiership – something that had consistently eluded the club. I have always been indebted to Mckinnon for the opportunities, grounding and mentoring they provided me and especially to senior capt-coach Barry Nye.
One of the players in the 64-65 premiership side was ex-Collingwood footballer Ron Kingston and because of an invitation he arranged, I played 2 seasons at Collingwood starting in the 3rds and progressing to the 2nds. Graduating from Frankston Teachers College, my first appointment in 1967 was a rural school position in central Victoria and although I travelled back to complete the season my time at Collingwood was over.
However, as one door closes and another opens and I was soon involved with Colts-Phelans CC in the Maryborough & District CA with whom I played successfully for 7 seasons. Here I was given leadership opportunities at both club, inter-association and Melbourne country week level as well as being selected in Victoria Country Colts (capt) and Victoria Country XI’s v Victoria Shield team, England and New Zealand. So, in reality my move to the country certainly provided some wonderful experiences.”
Arthur returned to Melbourne for employment reasons in 1974 and was appointed capt-coach of West Footscray in the Footscray CA for 2 years. He was living in Melton and in 1976 was approached to capt-coach Melton CC which had just been accepted into the VTCA – the same excellent association in which he had been involved with at McKinnon. He accepted and played at Melton for 26 seasons before retiring. After winning a premiership in his first year as capt-coach he continued in that role for 4 years and played in the 80-81 1st XI premiership. He also played and captained (2yrs) the VTCA combined side against WA in 3 carnivals – where he first met Les Quarrell. As President he led the Melton subcommittee which successfully gained promotion into the Victorian Sub-District CA in 1985-86. He was a member of the 1st XI in the early years of the VSDCA entry which included a record 4th wicket VSDCA partnership of 236 with former Footscray footballer, Mark Hunter, against Brunswick. Coming together at 4/23 on a wet track Arthur went on to make 153. Resuming as playing coach in 1988-89, Melton made the VSDCA finals for the first time. After a couple of more years in the firsts he took on captaincy of the 2nd XI and then played in lower XI’s before retiring in 2001.
During his time at Melton, Arthur also took on numerous non-playing roles - President, Vice-president, committeeman, junior coach and various sub-committee roles – which led to him receiving Melton CC’s inaugural Life membership in 1990. In 2018 he also received VSDCA Life Membership as a result of being a delegate (15 yrs), a selector (17 yrs), umpires appointment committee (23 yrs) and in later years an Investigations and Appeals committees representative.
So how did you come to be involved with Veterans Cricket, Arthur?
“After retiring from Melton I played socially for the Melbourne CC 29ers and the Centurions. I was introduced by chance to Veterans cricket in 2008 via a Centurion colleague who worked with Ron Luckman at the Electrical Trades Union. Suddenly a whole new world of cricket opened up.
From playing for Essendon alongside such contributors as Lloyd Haley, Mick Perrett and Ron Luckman, I was fortunate enough to be selected to play for Victoria at National carnivals before being included in the first selected O60 Australian team to tour England in 2011 and later for Australia when England visited in 2012.”
What have been your notable achievements or highlights whilst involved in Veterans Cricket?
“Well, being able to represent your state and country are never to be forgotten highlights. I was fortunate to captain successful state teams at both O60 and O70 Division 1 National Championships and Interstate Challenge games and subsequently to receive an Australian cap at both age groups. Victoria winning the first stand-alone 070 National Championships in 2017 was most satisfying and led me to captaining Australia v England in 2018. This is the only series which Australia has won – a decisive 3-0 victory – which was a career highlight.”
“Subsequently, in 2019 I became the inaugural inductee into the Veterans Cricket Australia Hall of Fame. In more recent ears I was thrilled to be selected in the Chairman’s XI v England O70, to make 50 retired and to receive the Player of the Match award.”
“From a local perspective being involved in the successful establishment of Essendon VCC both on and off the field, including as a contributor to Veterans Cricket Victoria, has always been extremely fulfilling. To receive the recognition of Life Membership from Essendon in 2018 was indeed an honor as was to receive a 50 Year Award from Cricket Victoria in the same year – something which would not have occurred except for veterans cricket.”
“However, the meeting of so many new cricket colleagues and the development of friendships both intra and inter-state has been a significant aspect of veterans cricket for me. When combined with playing cricket and touring overseas in England, South Africa and Sri Lanka, playing in various interstate locations at national carnivals and locally with Essendon teammates in Echuca it has been an amazing and fulfilling journey which I have been able to share with my ever-supportive wife, Lesley.”
In 2026 Arthur was honored, together with Ian Pritchard from the Geelong Seniors Cricket Club, with a trophy named after them to be competed for in every Over 70’s clash between the two sides. The ‘Pritchard Cup’ is in recognition of the long standing relationship which exists between the two Clubs and the contribution of both these players.
What other sporting interests do you have, Arthur?
“As a youngster, although playing football at school, I followed in my Scottish father’s footsteps and played soccer at weekends (Dad played at the highest level in Victoria once scoring a hatrick in a Docherty Cup Final for Brighton). I played in successful junior sides at Brighton, represented Victoria at U14 level and later transferred to Melbourne-Hungaria where I played State League Reserves. However, my teaching transfer interrupted any aspirations in that regard.”
Once in the country Arthur elected to play football as well as cricket as a means of involving himself in the local community. He played five years at Lexton (coached by Plugger Lockett, father of the AFL champion of the same name) from 1967 for three premierships and two Runners-up before transferring to Maryborough and playing in the 1972 Ballarat FL 1st XVIII premiership team.
A Collingwood supporter from early school days has meant much heart break over the years for Arthur, but he reports he has been fortunate and ecstatic to watch live the 1990, 2010 and 2023 premierships – the latter in the company of his son and grandson.
Are there any additional aspects you would like to share with members, Arthur?
“I had a highly rewarding and enjoyable career in education. From a small one teacher school through various teaching roles to a principal at one of Victoria’s largest primary schools and then to a District Liaison Principal I enjoyed each of the roles and challenges presented.”
“With two children and four grandchildren sport has always played an important role in family life and much pleasure has been received from watching their exploits at netball, basketball, football and cricket over the years. And so it continues currently.”
Lesley and Arthur are avid travellers both interstate and overseas. Their caravan heads north each winter to escape the Melbourne cold and they are committed to continuing annual overseas exploits for as long as possible - under the mantra of ‘enjoy it while you can because it won’t last forever.’
Arthur continues to serve on the committee as Vice President and on behalf of all members of Essendon Veterans Cricket Club, we thank him for his outstanding service to the club and for his contribution to both veterans cricket in Victoria and Victorian cricket in general.
