Trip by classmates inspires paintings on great Cricket Walkabout story

During the last week of Autumn 2023, the Class of 1975’s Pat Gleeson, Wayne Elliott, Gerard FitzGerald and Brian Brown paid a visit to the Johnny Mullagh Centre in Harrow in the West Wimmera.

The trip, organised by Pat (SPC 1974-75), was to inform his three mates Wayne “Pop” (SPC 1973-75), Gerard “Fitzy” (SPC 1963, PY1975) and Brian “Brownie” (SPC 1970-75) of the great Cricket Walkabout story.

Wayne was so intrigued by the story of Johnny Mullagh and the 1868 Aboriginal tour of England that on his return to Geelong he set to work in his studio and created two paintings. The larger of the two works was titled “Johnny Mullagh lounge room” and the second smaller one titled “Johnny Mullagh  longest six”. 

 

Fast forward 12 months and a second road trip was taken by our quartet to Harrow. This time with the two original paintings on board, which now both hang in pride of place in the Harrow Discovery Centre.

 

During November Wayne was also invited to the Melbourne Cricket Club for the relaunch of the book “Cricket Walkabout” – The first Australian cricketers to tour England. Wayne’s artwork features in the republished book.  Prints of these paintings are now available from the Harrow Discovery Centre. 

It was an enjoyable experience for the trio.

“It is great to catch up with your old schoolmates and it is time for the SPC Class of 1975 to gather on St Patrick’s Day 2025 and share our stories in person,” said Pat.

For more details about the Class of 1975 50-Year Reunion, to be held on Monday 17 March 2025, please contact the College’s Lorrie Liston on 5322 4442 or email via lliston@stpats.vic.edu.au  

– Thanks to Pat Gleeson for his help with this story