2003 Annual Members Reunion – Boxing Day test days two and three

By Jamie Winton

The 2003 Annual Members Reunion was looked forward to with great anticipation and excitement for tour members and AST staff alike. With large numbers of tour members joining tours in 2003, the weekend was always going to attract a bumper turnout. With attendees from all states, that was exactly the case with over 130 people enjoying the weekend.

The last time I was chatting with Colin “Pups” Douglas was when we were saying our goodbyes at the Wanderers Hotel in Johannesburg, a few days after the Cricket World Cup final in South Africa. I said to Pup that we would no doubt catch up some time in the future, although not knowing really when, if and where this may take place.

When I arrived at the MCG to a sea of familiar faces from past tours, for the first day of our reunion weekend, I was greeted with a flying tackle by none other than Pup. With a beer in one hand, and a cheeky grin on his dial, it seemed as though nothing had changed from our tour in South Africa, only the environment in which we were meeting was quite different.

When tour groups depart it can be quite a sad moment as being on tour creates a range of new friendships that seem to come to an abrupt end when it is time to go home. For this reason it is very rewarding for both tour members, guides and hosts to be able to come together once a year at a reunion and talk about the “good old times” on tour.

The reunion provided ample opportunity for tour members to catch up with old mates, as well as mix with people from other tours to chat about their experiences. Sitting at the cricket for two days together, watching a great contest between Australia and India, made us all feel as though we were somehow revisiting our tour experience, if only for a brief two days.

The Saturday evening of the reunion was planned to be a ritzy function at the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel. With everyone turning out in their ‘Sunday” best it was sight to behold. Usually on tour we do not get the chance to see many ties and dresses as the tour is more relaxed, although these were splendidly out in force.

Comedian, impersonator and MC for the evening, Andrew Startin, kicked off the evening and had the room in raptures changing characters at will from Bruce McAveney, Richie Benaud, Sam Newman, Mike Sheehan and even Sir Donald Bradman. The laughs continued throughout the evening, although there was also the opportunity to hear some fantastic cricket stories and opinions from tour hosts Merv Hughes and Colin “Funky” Miller, as well as an excellent insight into Indian cricket with Indian cricket legend, Ravi Shastri. Ravi was a fantastic speaker, with a very friendly and easygoing personality. His insights into the Indian game and India itself, had many past tour members whetting their appetites for a tour to the sub continent in September 2004.

The excitement of the night carried on well past the midnight finishing time of the function, as tour members partied well into the morning hours at some of the nightclubs at the nearby Crown Casino. Sunday morning was tough for some although once everyone was propped up at the cricket all was once again fine.

The reunion is a fantastic time to meet up and talk about and share with others past experiences. The event is a highlight on the calendar of our staff each year, and will no doubt continue to grow into the future. We would like to thank all those who attended and we can’t wait to catch up again in 2004! Pups Douglas, I will keep an eye out for your cheeky grin once again in 2004, and will be on my guard this time round for the flying tackle!

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