Ken Hamilton

Ken played in his first premiership as a sixteen year old in 1952, nearly twenty years later he played in his last in 1971, in total Ken played in eight A Grade premierships a truly remarkable effort.  However playing in premierships is not what earns some one a Life membership.  While playing Ken also served the club as treasurer for three seasons, secretary for two and as a committeeman for another eleven not to mention coaching the junior team for ten years to three premierships. 

 

Over twenty years service to a club would be considered a great deal but to also fit in so much on and off the field in that time is an extraordinary feat. 

 

In Kens time he was fortunate to play with many players and below he has given an insight into the best he played with and some funny and memorable moments over the years. 

 

Ken considers the 1968/69 KDCA premierships as a highlight. Apart from it being the clubs first in the KDCA the side had to fight hard after being behind on the first innings.  Tongala thought they had the game wrapped up and had already bought their celebratory drinks, but Tatura were able to bundle them out cheaply in the second innings. 

 

The laying of the first turf wicket and joining the KDCA are other highlights. 

 

Ken moved from the strong Tatura A side in the 58/59 season to the Colts because of a couple of his good friends were playing in the side and he wanted to play with them.  The friendships must have been strong to lure Ken from a very powerful side. 

 

One of the funnier moments Ken remembers is the time he received a phone call from the then club president Keith Cowin.  Keith was down at the pub and said that Neil Harvey, the Australia Test cricketer, was there and he had agreed to come down to training that night.  On Keiths request Ken rang around town to ensure that there was a good turn up to training.  Unfortunately Neil Harvey turned out to be an imposter who had been conning the locals out of free drinks all day.  Ken said it took Keith a while to live that one down. 

 

Another incident involved Jack Lockwood and Tucksy Corrigan both larger than life characters of the club.  Jack was captain one day when Tucksy who was the clubs wicketkeeper for many years decided it was time he had a bowl.  Needless to say Jack didn’t see much sense in giving the wicketkeeper a bowl and declined his request.  Unfortunately Tucksy was taking no for an answer and after a couple of heated moments  they actually came to blows.  Ken said that while not a great spectacle at the time it was cause for much humour around the club for some time after. 

 

One of the other funnier things occurred when a player from Ardmona used to play with his father umpiring.  The player involved was a bowler and used to yell out his LBW appeals with the cry of "Hows that dad!" and the umpire would reply with "That’s out son".  Ken wasn’t prepared to comment on how correct some of the decisions may have been.