General News
26 June, 2026
COLIN TRICKEY: A local all-round achiever
Colin Trickey was an outstanding cricketer in the Maryborough District Cricket Association. During his career he scored 40 centuries at an average in the high 40s.
As a slow bowler he captured over 350 wickets and captained the side for over a decade.
He won the J.D. Price Medal on seven occasions, including four in a row.
He represented Country Week from 1959 to 1976.
He was a member of the all conquering provincial winning team in 1963.
His only disappointment was that he was overlooked for country representative teams even though he was regarded as one of the finest players in Victorian country cricket.
He would have been a quality district cricketer in Melbourne but the benefits were few. Guaranteed work and family ties were attractions to stay in Maryborough.
Amazingly, MKM won only two premierships in his playing days. He did feature in numerous narrow semi-final losses.
After his retirement the club dominated winning eight premierships.
His leadership and coaching rubbed off on a multitude of young players. He won MKM batting average 14 years in a row and the MDCAs four times.
He honed his skills in his adolescent years living at Adelaide Lead.
His brothers, Frank and Claude, ensured fierce competition in the backyard.
At the age of 12 he started playing at Church of Christ under 18s.
On the one and a half mile walk to school, they developed throwing skills throwing “yonnies” at any target. On the weekends they often caught the “box car” into Maryborough.
Colin initially played with Maryborough for two years before joining MKM.
As an employee at the Mill it was expected that he would represent their team.
He, along with Ron Sinclair and Graeme Neill, work tirelessly to develop the Mill ground. Ron in particular brought cricket on the goldfields into international attention with his incredibly researched book.
On a visit to the “Lord’s Library” I was thrilled to see it was held in prominence.
The oval initially owned by the McKenzie family and the Mill came into the cricket team’s hands thanks to a lady’s bequest of $30,000.
This was a loan that was repaid. The committee shifted clubrooms to the oval and established practice nets at the rear.
Preparation of a turf wicket was shared although Ken (Fiddle) Evans was devoted to its maintenance.
Outstanding country cricketers Geoff McRae (Ballarat), Ian (Lefty) Wright and the run machine Henry Gunstone, held Colin in the highest esteem.
A major thrill was when Colin was invited to meet with the legendary Jack Ryder, chairman of selectors for the Victorian team.
Colin shared the oval with many talented teammates.
Barney and Horrie Hubble were gifted all-round sportsmen.
Keith Templeton was a fellow winner of the J.D. Price Award. Keith was a talented and aggressive teammate who took no prisoners.
Going back to Bill Templeton who scored 58 off two eight ball overs (he was Keith’s father), the Templeton heritage was continued by his nephew Nev Olver and Lindsay Lee. His son, Glen, was an outstanding contributor to Laane Dunolly.
Keith and Colin shared in the MDCA’s record second wicket partnership of 229 in 1957-58.
Colin, with his outstanding technique and temperament, was a “stumbling block” for all teams. He prized his wicket to the last ball.
Colin was a fierce competitor at the old Gillies Street sports’ centre. He played in several premierships. He travelled to local large centres to compete with success at badminton.
Darren, Colin’s son, was an excellent all-round sportsman. Playing in the Bendigo Football League he was a member of three premiership teams.
In the days when the rabbit population was out of control, “rabbit drives” were popular fundraisers.
The rabbit pelts could be seen hanging from the back of the sheds. Graeme Neill delivered fresh fruit from the Goulburn Valley.
Colin was in good spirits despite the loss of his devoted partner Dawn.
His daughters Tania and Michelle have been fantastic carers since Dawn’s passing.