May 26: National Sorry Day

Submitted by Rick Eyre on May 27 2006, 2:09 am

Today, Friday May 26, is National Sorry Day in Australia. Instituted in 1997, it is the annual commemoration of the tens of thousands of indigenous Australian children who were forcibly removed from their homes as children.

It's not a holiday, but it is certainly a day when all Australians should stop to reflect on the destruction of indigenous society and culture over the past two and a quarter centuries, and which is still happening, not just in the Northern Territory but all across the country.

More information about National Sorry Day can be found on the NSD Committee's website.

Karen Rolton first centurion in a Women's World Cup Final

Submitted by Rick Eyre on April 12 2005, 12:22 am

[This article was originally written for the now defunct website, Cricketwoman. - RE]

Australian vice-captain Karen Rolton's unbeaten 107 in Sunday's Women's Cricket World Cup Final against India at Centurion was both the highest individual score and the first century scored in such a game.Australia's team total of 215 for 4 is the highest team total in a Women's World Cup Final, while Rolton's fourth-wicket partnership with Lisa Sthalekar is the largest partnership in a WCWC Final.

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The Life and Times of Malcolm Fraser (2004)

Submitted by Rick Eyre on September 3 2004, 2:54 pm

I could count the number of conservative politicians in Australia whom I respect on about two fingers. Tim Fischer is one. Malcolm Fraser is the other.

"The Life and Times of Malcolm Fraser" is another superb documentary from the SBS Independent stable screening in the Thursday night "Storyline Australia" collection. It paints a personal picture of the septuagenarian former PM, with the backdrop of his political career and home movies from his childhood.

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BCCI rejects amalgamation with WCAI

Submitted by Rick Eyre on November 13 2003, 4:00 pm

The Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI), which governs the men's game in the world's most populous cricketing nation, has rejected an application from the women's governing body for an amalgamation.

A brief announcement of the rejection of the request by the Women's Cricket Association of India (WCAI) was made at the conclusion of the BCCI's AGM, which was conducted at Eden Gardens, Calcutta on September 27-29.

Made for TV, not for people

Submitted by Rick Eyre on June 21 2002, 2:00 pm

Made-for-television cricket. We've seen a lot of it in the past five years dished out in the name of "globalising" the sport. Televised but meaningless one-day matches dished up for an insatiable market from the "emerging" regions of world cricket. Singapore, Toronto, Kuala Lumpur, Kathmandu, and even a park in northern Los Angeles have all played host to an array of TV-oriented "spectaculars". Add to that list the name of Melbourne.

Former WI captain appointed to male board committee

Submitted by Rick Eyre on May 30 2002, 3:00 pm

Former West Indian captain Ann Browne-John broke new ground this week when she was appointed to the Cricket Committee of the West Indies Cricket Board. She is the first woman appointed to a major role in the men's governing body in the Caribbean.

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England Test player Joan Wilkinson dies aged 83

Submitted by Rick Eyre on April 29 2002, 3:00 pm

Joan Wilkinson, who played thirteen Tests for England between 1949 and 1958, has died. Her funeral was held at Foulridge, Lancashire, on Tuesday April 23, the town where she passed away at home at the age of 83.

A right-handed batter and occasional spin bowler, Wilkinson was chosen for England's tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1948-49, where she played all Tests except the opening game of the Australian leg. She was in the team which hosted Australia in the 1951 season, and was England vice-captain when New Zealand toured in 1954.

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