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.
Certainly one can dream. And without our dreams are we not just empty shells?
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!
I'll see down at the nets.
Esteban Von Disco
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