Kirstin Nicholson, The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

Two local cricket stalwarts have been honoured with a new annual shield. Bruce Milthorpe from Cohuna and George Keath from Leitchville have been recognised for the many years of dedication and work they have put into their local cricket clubs.

The Bruce Milthorpe – George Keath Shield was an initiative of the Nondies Cohuna Cricket Club and Leitchville Gunbower Cricket Club, the two remaining clubs from the old Cohuna District Cricket Association, to keep the healthy rivalry going between the two clubs as they moved to play in a new league. 

“We wanted to keep some sort of link and keep that rivalry healthy by recognising someone that has contributed to cricket greatly to Cohuna, Leitchville and Gunbower,” said Nondies Cohuna president, Kyeran Ellery.

The Bruce Milthorpe – George Keath Shield will be awarded to the winner of the first Nondies Cohuna vs Leitchville Gunbower round of the A Grade season. The inaugural winner of the shield in January 2022 was Nondies Cohuna.

Bruce Milthorpe was recognised for his many years of involvement with the Cohuna United Cricket Club, where he holds life membership, and where he has been involved with coaching, administration and curation of the grounds.

His introduction to cricket came in his childhood at Stanhope where he played junior cricket. He played for Ballarat, Sea Lake (where he also holds life membership) and in the Cohuna Cricket Association and played numerous interleague matches and 20 Bendigo Country Week matches. Upon retirement from playing, Bruce took on his current duties.

Bruce said he enjoys, “Getting the facilities that we’ve got at Cohuna as good as we can; and trying to help out for a successful cricket club.”

George Keath’s whole cricket career was with Leitchville Cricket Club. He started playing at 14 years of age, entering the Senior team when a position became available. When the U17s team was formed almost 60 years ago, he coached them and rolled the pitch, only finishing around 12 years ago when the team merged with Gunbower and his son, Jason, succeeded him.

“I played football but never liked footy,” George said, “but I loved cricket. I wasn’t that good at cricket, but I just loved it.”

“I’ve really enjoyed coaching the kids. I still know a lot of them now. It was pretty good. You do things like that because you enjoy it. It’s a nice thing to do.”

Both Bruce and George say they are honoured to have been recognised for their involvement in their respective clubs.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 10 February 2022.