Members Statement: David Woodgate

Ms SPENCE — On 27 February of this year Craigieburn lost a local community icon in David ‘Woody’ Woodgate. Woody was a resident of Craigieburn for 40 years and served as president of the Craigieburn Cricket Club between 2004 and 2013. He began playing at Craigieburn Cricket Club 33 years ago and was a terrific opening batsman in the first XI and president from 2004 to 2013. He held many other roles at the club, with highlights including watching the first XI break a 35-year premiership drought in 2012–13 and being the inaugural women’s XI premiership coach. He contributed to the community in many ways and in many roles, but perhaps his proudest achievement was the mentoring role he played in the lives of young people. He not only fostered a love of cricket but also encouraged young sportsmen and women to do better. My condolences to his wife, Heather, his children John and Julie and his eight grandchildren. Woody shared the day he was born with Sir Donald Bradman, and he also died on the same day that Sir Don died. Woody will be greatly missed.