Judy and Dirk

Mr Dirk Wellham - courage, tenacity, legendary cool.

Miss Judy Garland - your song is not forgotten.

My twin passions have always been the careers of Aussie Cricket Icon Mr Dirk Wellham and American singer/actress Miss Judy Garland (nee Frances Gumm).

Judy brings us to the edge of tears when as a young Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz (circa 1939) she sings "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". It's a song of a plaintive longing for peace and plenty. It speaks to a Depression ravaged America and a Europe readying for a cataclysmic conflict that would in later years come to be known as WW2 (as seen in Saving Private Ryan).

Dirk Wellham scored a century in his first class and test debut. He captained New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland. After retiring from cricket he went on to teaching and later became a school principal. After the glitz, glamour and heroism of cricket, he devoted his life to raising the next generation of Aussie cricketers and dare I say it, Aussie citizens.

Judy and Dirk never met, unfortunately, but I like to imagine the conversation if they had.

Dirk: Hello Miss Garland, I'm Dirk Wellham
Judy: Hello Dirk! Great knock against New South Wales today.
Dirk:Thank you Judy.
Judy: What's it like playing against your old team-mates?
Dirk: Well, it certainly helps with strategy!
Judy: Oh, Dirk! You are an absolute deeelight!
Dirk: Thank you Miss Garland, and may I say how much I enjoyed you in Meet Me in St Louis.
Judy: Why thank you Dirk and you must call me Judy!

Certainly one can dream. And without our dreams are we not just empty shells?

I'll see down at the nets.

Esteban Von Disco