Cricket has always been my favourite sport which I followed first with a crystal set and later a radio.

The first match which I saw at the Gabba was the 1946/7 series against England, the first after suspension due to the Second World War. I have a vivid memory of Bradman and his batting against Hammond’s team whilst sitting on the hill at the Vulture Street end of the ground. I can still hear the sound of the ball striking the picket fence after some exquisite batting. The whole match was a dream come true as we were in danger of defeat until a severe storm flooded the ground and the uncovered pitch – the sticky wicket which followed enabled us to bundle the opposition out and take the honours.

After becoming a Ground Member in 1959, I spent many happy hours with Dr. Bob Graham, an early member who conducted his general practice in a late nineteenth century house on the corner of Main and Vulture Streets. We used to sit upstairs in the old wooden stand at a corner in the front row so that we could easily be signalled by the Secretary on the ground below when there was a call for us, there being no pagers or mobile phones at that time.
Over the years, I attended many games on a Friday afternoon after completing an operating session at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. I rode in a tram to the Gabba and entered the gate nearest the scoreboard, sat and lazed on the grass on the hill amongst a scattering of beer cans. I recall seeing Norman O’Neill cutting Truman for a succession of fours before being caught attempting another.

A memorable occasion was the final session of the Sheffield Shield match when Queensland won for the first time. The atmosphere was electric. The sight of fans swarming onto the ground, no longer allowed unfortunately, is just a cherished memory now.

The present state of the ground with its excellent field, which almost miraculously recovers after the heaviest rain, together with great facilities in the stands, reflect very favourably on the Cricket Ground Management Team. Members have wonderful facilities, and one can only hope that the public responds in greater numbers for big matches as they seem to do for the One Day and Twenty-Twenty games. In particular the interstate Shield matches really need greater spectator support.

The use of the Gabba by the Lions AFL club seems to have been a successful marriage of two different sports and I offer my warm congratulations to the Committee of Management on their success.