South Barwon Cricket Club was formed in 1951 and entered Geelong district cricket in the 1951/52 season.
In that season the Geelong Cricket Association (GCA), for the first time, set up the competition in a district
format after many years of competition made up of teams that were of various origins including local,
company, school and football oriented. South Barwon was allocated shared use of West Kardinia Park for
play and practice and two teams were formed made up of residents of the Belmont/Highton/Grovedale area,
most had played with other Geelong teams, the nucleus from the Valley Mill team. The first President was Harold Duff (who is amazingly the Grandfather of current President Darren Hauenstein), and the first Captain/Coach Ted Touhill. The first 3rd XI team was formed
in 1953/54 and the first junior team, an Under 15 team in 1955/56. South Barwon moved to its current home on the South Barwon Recreation Reserve in 1959 and members
moved a building to the ground and remodeled it as their first clubhouse, which was still being used until
late 2006/early 2007 when it was renovated.
It was not until 1956 that the first premiership was won by the 2nd and 3rd XI's under the captaincy of
Arch Tonkin (2nds) and Warwick Plunkett (3rds). The first 1st XI came in 1962 under the captaincy of
Doug Kerger. Since that time South Barwon have become one of the most successful clubs in Geelong
cricket with: 7 1st XI Premierships (5 Division 1, 2 Division 2) 9 2nd XI Premierships (7 Division 1, 2 Division 2) 7 3rd XI Premierships (5 Division 1, 2 Division 2) 4 Under 16 Premierships 1 Under 14 Premierships 1 Under 13 Premierships The highlight of South Barwon's history occurred in 1968/69 when all teams won Premierships in their
respective grades. This prompted a Civic Reception from the Shire of South Barwon presided over by the
Shire President Reg Reynolds who is acknowledged as the prime mover in the formation of the club in 1951.
South Barwon has produced many fine cricketers, the most famous being Australian representative Alan
Connolly who played 30 Tests taking 102 wickets. In his first season in South Barwon 1st. XI, his first game
produced 7/33 including a hat trick and his best performance of 9/45 is still a record. In recent years Clinton
Peake has represented Australia at the Under 19 level scoring over 304 against India in 1995.
Other South Barwon players apart from Alan and Clinton to represent their State are Ian Priddle and
Graeme Ross. Former Premiership captain Jim Roberts has recently been accorded the honour of "Living Legend" by
the Geelong Cricket Association. At a 50 year reunion held in 2001 a team of the 20th. Century was selected:
Denis Breuer (Captain), Gil Rush, Jim Roberts, Craig Davies, Ted Anderson, Russell Peake, Graeme Ross,
John Ross, Ian Priddle, Peter Mahon, Ron Russell, Stephen Sutcliffe. In early 2007 a “Paddock of Rabbits” was written & released by South Barwon CC life member Bryan Schaeche retracing
the first 55 years of the club (1951-2005) and referencing over 500 players. This can be purchased from the club for $25.
 Paddock of Rabbits General Invite Version 2.doc (1.52 MB )
Paddock of Rabbits Order Form Version 2.doc (32.00 KB )
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