Chairperson Julie Tekyll opened meeting 3104 and welcomed all members and guests that have joined us tonight especially guest speaker Rick Drewer and Anthea Johns who will shortly be inducted as a member of the club.
Apologies were received from Bob Ahrens . Patsy Johnson, Brian Burt. Angela Moore. Lance Hatcher Colin Basley. Dino Donati and Daniel Barratt.
John Lyons, Tom Kelly, Kevin Clarke, Deb Williams, Wayne Murphy. Members and guests enjoyed some fellowship over dinner before Sergeant Barry's session.
Following this Chairperson Julie introduced Guest speaker Rick Drewer.
Growing up Rick attended Scotch College where he was the tallest student in Grade 7, but then stopped growing.
During his ‘wild days’ Rick was a popular well-known DJ known as SWORD. His gigs included a farewell for the SA Governor’s ADC at Government House. Rick compared the carefree way in which he was able to leave his equipment there after the gig on the Saturday night before returning on Sunday morning to retrieve it. In those days there was no security he just wandered in and packed up. How times have changed and everything these days is checked and double checked and you need to pack everything up and leave with it when you go.
Rick represented South Australia in the Sheffield Shield competition from 1974 to 1976 and was a proud member of the SA winning Sheffield Shield team of 1975-76. The team was captained by Ian Chappell and included Gary Cosier, David Hookes, Ashley Woodcock, Rick Darling and bowling greats Ashley Mallett and Terry Jenner. Players of this calibre were paid the princely sum of $50 for a four-day Shield match compared with $85,000 p.a. paid to today’s rookies who may not have played one First-Class game. Rick acknowledged the support he received from Mr McDonald, his neighbour and mentor during his early years and teacher Jim Rosevear who introduced him to Sturt Cricket Club. He was given the nickname “Stumpy” by Sturt Football Club great John Halbert.
Commenting on the recent ‘Langer controversy’, Rick asked if a coach is really necessary, given that the captain runs the team and makes all the important decisions on the field. He mentioned Shane Warne’s comment, “The only coach you need is the one that takes you to the ground,” and criticised the press for the beat-up of the Langer situation.
Rick lamented the pitiful state of SA cricket and suggested that the number of Premier League teams should be reduced to help improve the standard of District Cricket.
Some of his other well-informed observations were that not enough First-Class games were being played, gym training is no substitute for playing cricket on the ground and that the Tanunda School Team could have beaten the Poms in the recently completed Test series.
Following his presentation Rick was presented with a certificate of thanks indicating a donation had been made on his behalf to Polio Plus.
Presidents Wrap up. President Mark once again reminded members about the Bowls night next week. we have about 30 people attending but there is room for more. Mark informed members that at the recent board meeting it was decided to use the surplus money from the CFS air operations to finalise the TV project at GHS. We had set aside $10,000 for the CFS but they had not used all the funds.
other upcoming events include a working bee at the shed on the 28th March. we will have dinner at Nixon's as usual then go to the shed. Mark encouraged everyone to be at the meeting on the 21st March to witness the induction of our 2 newest members Ian Nys and Anthea Johns. John Lyons will also be our guest speaker that night. Long standing members are encouraged to put their name down to do an updated autobiography one night. Lots of these members have retired now and their lives have taken a different path. it is also interesting for members who joined the club in more recent years to hear from those members.
Before closing meeting 3104 mark asked members to be upstanding and recite the Four way Test and thanked everyone for their attendance.
Rick Drewer with Julie Tekell and President Mark Smeaton
Rick addressed some members Q & A after the meeting 
