General News
25 January, 2026
Coming together for cricket
THE Beaufort Cricket Club has rallied in support of neighbouring Carranballac Cricket Club after the clubrooms were destroyed in fires that swept through the area just weeks ago. In a show of community spirit, Beaufort Cricket Club hosted an afternoon tea and evening meal, with Clunes, Beaufort and Maryborough’s MKM cricketers supporting the fundraiser.
Beaufort Cricket Club president Andrew Oddie said the event brought together players, supporters and life members from across the area, with the Carranballac players joining the event in the evening after finishing their match in Lexton.
Mr Oddie recalled watching the fires unfold and realising the potential impact on nearby communities.
“I was watching the smoke on that day the fires went up. I’m thinking, geez, anybody in the way of that is going to be in trouble,” he said.
“We saw reports later that night that Carranballac Cricket Club, who is our closest neighbouring club, lost their clubroom, so we thought we should be doing something for each other.”
“The event raised $2000. We just wanted to help. All the cricketers were happy to chip in.” With further support generated through a silent auction of a cricket bat signed by the legendary Australian Test Cricket Team from 1999–2000.
“The last time I heard, it was up to $1500 That won’t build those rooms, but hopefully it’ll kick start it,” he said.
Mr Oddie said the response reflected the strong sense of community within cricket.
“It sounds corny, but it’s just that Aussie thing of trying to help the people around you,” he said.
“(We are) trying to send the message, ‘yeah, we know you’re hurting’. We can’t do much, but we’ll do this little bit.”
Carranballac Cricket Club president Luke Jackson said the support had been welcomed.
“It was very overwhelming, the amount of support we are getting. It’s incredible, the support, and it’s from cricket clubs everywhere.”
“We don’t play in the same league or anything.”
Mr Jackson said the club was an important social hub for the community and was still practicing despite the damage to the clubrooms.
“It’s an outing for someone, a social wellbeing place, getting farmers off their farm for a beer and a sausage and a catch up, even if they are only there for 10–15 minutes,” he said.