Tribute to Graham King by Michael Falk
Gordon District Cricket Club | August 03, 2025
My first game of grade cricket was at Killara Oval in 1969 in 3rd Grade. I was filling in just before Christmas as, I think, some players had gone away on holidays. The captain of the side that day was Graham, or should I say, Mr King. I was a callow youth of 15 at the time, and quite terrified.
However, there was no need to be nervous as we were in good hands with Graham and his long time friend and great player, Bob Lowing, keeping everything together. The two of them now sit proudly at the top of the lists of most wickets and most runs ever for the club. I remember that we had a comfortable win with Graham’s calm captaincy standing out.
This leadership was the catalyst for the 3rd grade and then later 4th grade teams having a lot of success – Graham understood what it was all about and led from the front. Many excellent players went through his teams and on to success in higher grades. All those wickets he took weren’t a fluke! He played in all grades (his 1st Grade career starting in 1953).
Off the field, Graham’s contribution was immense. He served as a committee member for many years (he had one year as secretary in 1955-56). I have a photo at home of the general committee in the 1974-75 season – that year we won the club championship by 280 points. Graham is in the photo along with people he’d known, worked with and respected for many years - Harry Crow (President), Basil Sheidow (Hon Secretary), Charles Harris (Chairman) and Keith McDonald (Hon Treasurer). This was a formidable group of Stagophiles (with Graham they gave the club over 300 years of combined service. Add Dick Guy to that group, who was also in the photo and it’s probably over 400 years’ service!) An amazing crew! We knew the club was in good hands.
Graham’s life membership in 1971 (no.27) was both well earned and inevitable. He continued on the committee for another 10 years. After that, he devoted much time to ensuring that all club records and achievements were recorded accurately and up to date. Every year the Annual report would get Graham’s statistical input on players added to various lists in the records section before publication. His stats were faultless.
He has always maintained a deep interest in the club. He attended all functions and past player events for years until recently when ill-health prevented him. Whenever you spoke to him, he’d always ask about players, whether they were ‘any good’ or why they’d had an ordinary season or if they were good enough to go to the next level.
He began writing a history of the club a while ago - an immense task. He has completed this and now it’s a matter of what form it will take so that everyone will be able to gain a full understanding of how the club has developed over the past 120 years – right from the horse dragging the roller up and down the Chatswood oval wicket to the electronic scoreboard.
Graham’s devotion to the club over 70 odd years has been a wonderful example of dedication and we have much to thank him for. Well bowled sir!
Michael Falk
BeaconPoint Club Clips - The Captains Circle with Moises Henriques
