The Boy from Bowral

For all you cricket "buffs", or even those that aren't...!!
(Lily and I even 'suffered' through the Don Bradman Museum, in Bowral, and actually quite enjoyed it.)

What a man, what a champion! 'The Don' obviously had cricketing in his blood, as his father and uncle(s) were keen cricketers. As well as being fairly conscientious, tenacious, competitive and naturally sporting, he also seemed to exhibit a reasonable amount of humility, fairness and all round good 'sportsmanship'.

Art work

This facility, run by the Bradman Foundation, was a fantastic mix of displays, detailing the life of Don Bradman - cricket, business and personal, includng personal and donated memorabilia.

3D depiction



Jumper owned by Bradman's wicket-keeper
friend Bert OLDFIELD, and worn in their
1934 tour of England



Bat Info

Umpiring signals, for the 'uninitiated'! (like me)

Along with this were  interactive and educational displays to do with the history and game of cricket, cricket events through "the ages" (linking this with popular happenings of the time - I found myself nodding my head often, and saying to myself, or Jon if he was within earshot, "that's right, aah yes, ... do you remember that!?), and a Hall of Fame for international and Australian Cricketers. And further development still to happen.

World Series Cup teams

Do any of these 'twig' your memory:

1. "Its been a long time commin'
To silence all that drummin'
To show them that it wasn't just a dream
They've beaten all the rest you know
And proven they're the best you know
The greatest team to wear the baggy green.
Come on, Aussie, c'mon, c'mon
Come on, Aussie, c'mon, c'mon"  (The advertising jingle for World Series Cricket, aired in  1978)

2. Delvene Delaney, in a skimpy white t-shirt, with "Howzat" emblazoned across her chest

3. The likes of Rod Marsh, Dennis Lillee, Allan Border and the Chappell brothers... and dare I mention the 1978 incident, that some describe as "the most disgraceful episode of cricket", when Greg Chappell as captain, instructed his brother Trevor, to bowl an underarm ball for the last ball of the day to ensure Australia beat New Zealand!!

One of the things evident to me at the museum was Bradman's dedication and respect for all people - there were many exhibits of documents he had replied to personally, over and above what was essential, whether in business, personal matters, or responses to 'fan mail'.




Home of Bowral Cricket



Bradman, I think, would have made his first century on this cricket wicket! (Might have been replaced a few times since!)

The museum is adjacent to the Bowral Cricket Oval, where it all began! Oh, that's right it was the tankstand, wasn't it? And the Bradman family evidently lived just across the road from the oval!

'Our Bradman'