Since 2018, as the governing body of cricket in the state, Cricket Victoria recognises long service to the game by presenting 50 Year Service Awards.
“As a volunteer you’re always appreciative of these things,” Glenn told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
“I’m certainly appreciative of Cricket Victoria giving me this honour.”
The name ‘Glenn Brear’ is synonymous with cricket in Yarrawonga and the region, firstly as a player, then captain of Yarrawonga Footballers Cricket Club and a member of the committee.
This led to Glenn becoming a member of the Yarrawonga & District Cricket Association’s Representative Teams, the annual highlight being VCCL Melbourne Country Week.
He played in 10 premierships for the Yarrawonga Footballers Cricket Club (68-69, 74-75, 76-77, 80-81, 86-87, 87-88, 93-94, 96-97 00-01 & 01-02) and in four VCCL Melbourne Country Week Premierships (1977, 1989, 1995 & 1996), playing in over 100 Country Week matches over 30 years – a rare and outstanding feat which was officially recognised by the Victorian Country Cricket League.
In addition to his playing career, Glenn took on the role as a committee member for the Y&DCA and in 1980 was amongst the cricketing forefathers, led by President Robert Tait, who, in partnership with the Shire of Yarrawonga, established a cricket ground in the middle of the old Victoria Park racecourse, which was being farmed as a wheat crop by the Dowling brothers at the time.
The Y&DCA then constructed the Victoria Park Sport Pavilion in 1983 to become the district’s cricketing headquarters. Glenn was elected Y&DCA President in 1987 and under his term instigated several projects including automated irrigation, practice nets and the installation of a turf wicket square, transforming the oval into a true cricket facility.
As president for four years and subsequently made a Life Member, he said: “My highlights included the sprinkler system and the laying of a turf wicket – but I was only carrying on the foundation laid by Robert Tait and the great Stan Hargreaves for getting junior cricket going. It was all volunteer work by so many people.”
Glenn has had equal impact on and off the cricket field, having volunteered as administrator, coach, ground staff and general helper, reflecting the key value of ‘team before self’.
In 2020, he returned to the position of president, this time at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Cricket Club where he is currently in his second term, with several major facility upgrades on the drawing board that will again raise the level of the cricketing facility to the highest of standards.
In October 2021, the YMCC had no hesitation in nominating Glenn for the prestigious 50 Year Service Award and the nomination was duly accepted by Cricket Victoria as more than satisfying the criteria.
The evolution of local cricket has gone from strength to strength with Glenn’s mantra of “you must leave it in a far better state than what you found it” being a motivation to dream big and work hard to make it into a reality.
Under Glenn’s leadership, cricket continues to grow, with the club focused on growing female cricket participants and building state-of-the-art facilities. These goals will enable local girls to play in their own local teams at local venues with high standards facilities that all can enjoy.
So even after 53 years of service, for Glenn volunteering his time, efforts, knowledge and energy comes easy for the game he loves. His legacy will come in the achievements of the next generation of cricketers.
*From one great Australian to a great Englishman. Lord Ian Botham will officially open the multisports pavilion at Ball Park Corowa on Friday, February 5. Lord Ian will be the star of the show at the evening function for $75 per person food and commemorative stubbie holder included. It’s a 6.30pm for 7.00pm start. Tickets via Corowa Cricket Club Facebook or from Sports Power Sanger Street Corowa. A story about Lord Ian going to Corowa appears in the Corowa Free Press this week, available at the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
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