My earliest recollection of the Gabba was a cricket broadcast before World War 2. Barney Cook (father of Geoff Cook, Qld. opening batsman and bowler) was commentating when he suddenly collapsed and died.

I saw the last Qld. v. NSW Rugby League match before these matches were ceased during the war. That was in c. 1940 – Dan O’Connor was the Qld. full-back.

My first view of first-class cricket – the first inter-state match of the season in November 1945 – Qld v. NSW – my first view of Ray Lindwall – one of the finest fast bowlers of all time – such speed, and was poetry in motion; also my first view of the best wicket-keeper the game has known – Don Tallon; also my first view of Bill Brown and his incomparable leg-glance.

I became a Junior Member of the BCG in 1946 (no access to the Member’s Stand, but was on the waiting list). My first cricket Test match – 1946 Aust v. England and my first view of Don Bradman. To me even at this late stage of his career, he was a class above the other batsmen. I saw his controversial “catch” to Ikin. George Borwick, the umpire gave him “not out”. I was talking to Borwick in Sydney c. 1950 and he was still adamant that it was not a catch. (I suppose he would say that anyway!). From that match I remember Washbrook’s cover fielding and the unique “kangaroo hops” in Doug Wright’s run-up.

I next saw Bradman – Aust, v. India. I think he got to his century before the rain came. I lived about 1km from the Gabba, so was an expert on the local weather! I decided that there would be no more play that day – only to listen to the radio later on to find they came back on and Bradman went on to score 187 – that was the last chance I had to see him, and I had muffed it!

One incident in the crowd at a Sheffield Shield match c. 1950’s– I was sitting just in front of and to one side of a typical Englishman (would you believe, in black suit, top-hat and leaning on his umbrella!) who in turn was sitting in front of a teen-ager or two. The Englishman made some comment – one of the youths behind said “You silly old bastard” whereby the Englishman stood up, turned round and hit the poor fellow over the head with his umbrella!!

1950-51 1st Test Aust v. England – Lindsay Hassett’s declaration on a sticky wicket at 7/32, getting England on to the sticky and going on to win the match.

1951-2 Aust. V. WI – After only about 4 overs (from memory) Goddard, the WI captain rubbing the ball on the ground to remove the shine so that he could bring on his champion spinners – Ramadhin and Valentine – with good reason – Ramadhin bowling to Arthur Morris – one of the best left-handers of all time – and Morris could not put bat on ball for a whole 8-ball over!

Later memories of cricket – my first view of Dennis Lillee for WA v Qld – “Gee, he’s a bit quick!” I thought. Many years later, I saw Greg Chappell charge down the wicket to Dennis Lille and hit him to the boundary! A couple of years ago, when I reminded Greg of this, he said “I did that only once!”

Rugby League – many happy memories of the Saturday afternoon club matches – 2 first-grade matches. Also Test matches v. England and NZ. There were still remnants of the greyhound racing track – the concrete structure over the mechanism for the “hare” was evident in the Outer.

One memory – the radio commentators – ABC, 4BC, 4BH and, I think 4BK used to sit not far from the sideline on the grandstand side of the ground on chairs with the microphone on a table in front of them. The power was delivered by cables along the ground from under the grandstands. One afternoon (a club game I think), the rain came down in torrents. The commentators, one by one, retreated to the cover of the stands – all except George Lovejoy of 4BH. He kept on commentating, hat on head, as always, until the end of the game. He was the originator of the slogan – “Rugby League – the greatest game of all”. Apart from the fact that Rugby League has degenerated as a game since then, he was wrong then and is wrong now. Test cricket is the greatest game of all!!

For the play – Clive Churchill’s field goal from the half-way line and near the touch-line! – also the English forwards clever ball-handling. Much more recently, during the Rugby World Cup – watching Johnny Wilkinson practicing his goal-kicking from the side-line at the 10-metre line!