Surjit Singh Gujral - Passed Away 20th April 2022

SURJIT SINGH GUJRAL

Surjit Singh Gujral. A long-time supporter and sponsor of our Club died suddenly on 20th April 2022. He was aged 67 years.

Surjit was one of three brothers who migrated from Chandigarh, Punjab, in the late 1970’s and initially he worked with elder brother Amar at his restaurant in Goulburn Street City. He learned the business and subsequently owned restaurants in Strathfield and Neutral Bay before buying the freehold for Surjit’s Indian Restaurant at 215 Parramatta Road, Annandale. For some years also he had a Sydney City Council lease and operated Surjit’s Angel Place where the Club held a number of memorable lunches.

Surjit’s sponsorship of our Club commenced in the late 1990’s and has continued ever since.

Surjit’s has catered for some of our most successful Annual Presentation Nights in the MacLaurin Hall and lunches in conjunction the Blue and Gold at the Football Grandstand facility. Surjit’s have also supported ‘Player of The Round’ for many years.

Surjit and Surjit’s Restaurant was known internationally by the cricket communities in India and Pakistan. Surjit was a generous host, a benefactor, passionate about the game. He was a man who will be greatly missed by this Club and the broader SUCC community.

His son Rasan, who has run the outside catering business for some years will assume control of the business. We sent our condolences to Rasan and his entire family at this time.

Hartley Anderson

22nd April 2022

The Passing of Alan Barons Crompton OAM - 20th April 2022

ALAN BARONS CROMPTON, OAM

      Born 28 February 1941

          Died today, 20 April 2022.

     Aged 81.

This is to advise that Alan Crompton died during lunch time today. 

There will be a Celebration of his Life on SUNDAY 24 APRIL, commencing at 11.30am, in THE PEARL BEACH COMMUNITY HALL.

Formal notification of his death will appear in The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday 23 April.

 The Sydney University Cricket Club is united in grief and extends its heartfelt thoughts and sympathy to Gabby and Jo and to all of Alan’s family.

The Club has lost one of its giants.

Alan played for the Club, mainly in 1st Grade, from 1961 until 1983, having previously represented  Waverley DCC. For his two clubs, he scored 7266 runs and took over 350 dismissals.

Alan served the game with such a generous heart and with a graciousness that has been unmatched in our 159 year history. His unfettered enthusiasm and continuous significant influence spanned the generations, stretching back 61 years. No one has served the Club for as long. No one has spread such a love for the game for as long.

In brief, Alan was a studiously correct batsman, a peerless wicket keeper, a captain, twice a Premiership winner. As an administrator, he was Honorary Secretary of the Club, a Vice President,  a Trustee of the SUCC Foundation, a Delegate to and Chairman of Cricket NSW, Chairman of the Australian Cricket Board (Cricket Australia), Manager of three Australian Test sides overseas, a Life Member of the Club, President of the Club for 22 years, Patron of the Club for another 20 years, the recipient of a Blue for Cricket and a Gold for Cricket, recipient of a Blue for Baseball.

His indefatigable work was mightily rewarding for everyone else who appreciated him, respected him, admired him.

Today, something of our soul goes with him but his undoubted and admirable legacy will live long.

James Rodgers

SUCC Season 2022/23 Squad Announcement

After numerous weeks of competitive trials SUCC is proud to announce our Squad for Season 2022/23.

We welcome all our new players to the club and look forward our returning squad members making you feel at home when we resume training after our winter break.

All the best boys

SUCC Legends Convene

LEFT SIDE:

Rick Lee, Ron Alexander, Chris McRae, Rob Storey

RIGHT SIDE:

Peter James, James Rodgers, Rob Thomas, Peter Lewis, Ian Foulsham.

For the last 44 years, this group of 8 former players (sadly now without Dick Mesley who has died since and, last week, without Phil Scanlan who was away interstate) has met annually over lunch or dinner to remember their happy seasons (in the 1960s and 1970s) with the Club.

Last Friday, relaxation of covid regulations allowed them to meet for the first time since 2020.

As convenor, Rob Thomas (SUCC 1963-1977) was permitted three guests, Peter Lewis (baseball), Chris McRae and me.

Rob writes:

“As I have mentioned previously it is a unique privilege to play, to captain and to be involved in the administration and stewardship of the Sydney University Cricket Club and to get the benefits that flow through to life long  character, friendships and values.”

 James Rodgers

MIKE PAWLEY OAM: Remembers cherished times with the Club

Mike Pawley played for SUCC for seven seasons from 1962 until 1969 during which he studied and graduated BSc, Dip Ed. During that time he took 234 wickets for the Club in 1st Grade as a left arm orthodox spinner. He’s ninth on the list of all-time wicket takers in Grade (Premier) cricket for the Club. After graduation, he went back to Manly and represented NSW in eleven games. From 1962 until 1983, Mike took 606 wickets at 16.4 in 1st Grade for his two clubs.

He is highly respected in NSW as a coach and sports store owner. In recent years, he’s done much needed and generous work in Cambodia among those who need us most.

In the last week, Mike has reflected on his time with University, a time which he cherishes.

---

“We have plenty to be grateful for through our participation in Sydney University Cricket.

The sheer joy of playing cricket on University Oval , and the innocent yet mischievous fun that was associated with that.

We played cricket for the right reasons then.

I hear from Bert Alderson [ his University 1st Grade captain] and Doug Alderson still.   Bert…now resides near Ballina where he has a morning coffee every day in the town square  if you are ever near there.   In his middle 90s (Bert turned 97 last December], he still has a sharp mind.   He was a very very good man , and Sydney University was so lucky to have him as its leader. 

When I look at the chapters of my life, those days in the early 60s shared with all of you and others still holds a very special place in my heart and in my mind.

happy days   Mike”

James Rodgers

ANDREW BELL APPOINTED THE 17th CHIEF JUSTICE OF NSW

(Image courtesy of St Paul’s College)

It is with great pride that the Club acknowledges Andrew Bell who will become the 17th Chief Justice of NSW when the current Chief Justice, Thomas Bathurst, steps down on 5 March. 

Andrew played for the Club and then the Veterans’ XI during the 1980s and 1990s and has always taken a strong and practical interest in the Club. 

He was educated at Sydney Grammar School before going up to the University, resident at St Paul’s College, having captained the SGS 1st XI in 1983. 

His academic career at Sydney University was filled with honours: BA, LLB Hons. Two University Medals. When he studied at Oxford University during his Rhodes Scholarship, he won the Vinerian Scholarship in the BCL and was also awarded a doctorate focusing on private international law. 

Since returning to Australia, Andrew has practiced as a barrister, is still an Adjunct Professor at Sydney University and was appointed as President of the NSW Court of Appeal in 2019. 

Francis Forbes was NSW’s first Chief Justice in 1823 and Andrew follows, 199 years later. 

He is only the second Chief Justice of NSW to have represented the Sydney University Cricket Club.  HV (Bert) Evatt, who played for the Club before the Great War, was Chief Justice from 1960 until 1962. 

The Club joins in saluting one of our most distinguished former players. 

By James Rodgers

Daniel Gauci selected for NSW U17 Combined Squad!

Congratulations to Daniel Gauci who has been selected to represent NSW Combined U17 Squad at the National Championships!

The tournament will be held in Mackay, QLD from April 7 to 14 👏