My 4th QLD May trip has been another massive tour, capturing 15 clinics which included visits to Malkara with Canberra Grammar School in the ACT; Dubbo PSSA including Dubbos South & North & Orana Heights Public Schools, as well a return visit to Minimbah Aboriginal School in Armidale, in NSW.

Further thanks out to Western Suburbs State, Mitchleton (with Brisbane Boys College volunteers) and Currimundi Special Schools in QLD - with former Canberra Comet Darryle Macdonald - for welcoming Dream Cricket into their environs for life-affirming, inclusive and truly sporting fun in the sun.

News

Big week with a Gala Day in Orange and 15 clinics in QLD. Thanks to all schools involved in the former including Anson Street, Blayney Public, Bletchington Public, Bowen Public, Glenroi Heights, James Sheahan Catholic High and Orange Public Schools.

A massive shout out to Darkinjung Barker (Yarramalong, NSW) as well as Beenleigh, Rockhampton North, Mount Ommaney and Western Suburbs State Special Schools in Queensland - all visited on the recent ‘clinics’ tour. Thanks also to volunteers Anna, Callum, Flynn & Matty and Capricorn Coast Rotarians Craig & Wayne for giving up their time to make things.

So good to visit Dubbo on Tuesday 17 October to see the wonderful involvement from Dubbo North, Dubbo West, Dubbo Christian School, Yawarra Community School, Dubbo Public, Dubbo South, Gilgandra Public, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Dubbo, Narromine Public, Wellington Public and Buninyong Public Schools - with mentoring support from Macquarie Anglican Grammar. Thanks to Don & all the Rotarians involved in a smoothly-run event in perfect weather.

The three Rotary clubs in Hawkesbury Windsor, Richmond and Kurrajong/North Richmond have been conducting a Gala Day every year since 2014. This year’s was very successful and hot! Students from Kuyper, Hobartville and Windsor Park Schools, assisted by older students from Richmond, Bede Polding and Kuyper all had fun and enjoyed themselves.

Thanks to our three VIP guests presenting medals: Susan Templeman MO for Macquaire, our local Mayor of the Hawkesbury Sarah McMahon and our current District Governor Christine Owen.

Thanks to Minimbah Aboriginal and Tingha Public Schools for welcoming us back for another set of clinics this week. It was pretty hot but enthusiasm was high as we adapted games indoors and under colas. Both schools are giving the mentors a run for their money with the Run Out Game.

It’s been a huge week, with three excellent Dream Cricket events. Thank you to all involved with the Inverell Gala Day involving students from Holy Trinity and Ross Hill Public schools in New South Wales. An amazing day in the sun. Thanks to Holy Trinity and Inverell High for the mentoring by older students.

Had a great day with volunteers Paddy & Ben visiting Red Hill Public School in Wagga Wagga and then backing things up with a big and blustery end of the week clinic at Harrison in the ACT.

Had an amazing Dream Cricket clinic yesterday with two wonderful schools: Churchie and Red Hill Special School. So much fun was had with bat and ball, with great connections made between students. A big hit indeed!

Great to also deliver a DC kit for Mudgeeraba Special School for Somerset College to present. So awesome to see Somerset helping out in this generous way to a partner school.

Well done Rotoract Club of Ratnanagar. As you can see Dream Cricket received the Best Project Award at a recognition ceremony in Kathmandu. Well done to all involved. Inspiring stuff.

At the 16th Rotaract District Assembly, DLTS and Recognition Ceremony @ Dav school, Kathmandu, the RAC Ratnanagar family received:

1) Platinum Citation- Barometer; 2) Outstanding President Award; 3) District Goal Contribution; 4) Best Project Award (Dream Cricket); 5) Appreciation Award to President for outstanding work; 6) Token of Love for Co-Host of 16th Rotaract DistrictAssembly, DIts and Recognition Ceremony. Inspiring stuff, all!

Thanks Malkara for playing cricket with us. Great to come back to our friends who are getting even better at Sticky Wicky. Can’t wait for a September return to see you all again and to play once more.

Very successful meeting with the Rotary Club of Adelaide who inducted 7 new members and hopefully we can revive Dream Cricket in SA and have kids playing on the Adelaide Oval.

So good to recently bring Dream Cricket to my friends at Minimbah Aboriginal School and Tingha Public School. These kids were so good and that ball always seemed to find middle stump.

Another team of Rotary volunteers will be travelling to Nepal in November 2023. To watch the Rotaractors from Ratnanagar Rotary Club and the volunteers from Australia, playing Dream Cricket with students who are blind and deaf is so uplifting.