Duncan Hey has spent a bittersweet week packing up years of cricket memorabilia as he departs Stawell. Mr Hey is moving to Maryborough - giving up his role as an umpire with the Grampians Cricket Association. For more than 40 years, Hey has put on the whites on a Saturday and taken on the rule enforcer role on the field. As Mr Hey went through his things, memories came flooding back. Mr Hey began playing cricket with Stawell-based team Trinity before making a move to Cornish Town named after an old suburb of Stawell in the gold mining days. "We were based near where Laidlaw Park is now," he said. "There's still a pitch under the ground somewhere there." After spending a few years away from the area, Mr Hey said he was coaxed into playing cricket by an old friend, Neil Brehaut. READ MORE: Anthony Martin suggests juniors are key to success "I was working at the Commonwealth Bank in Ararat at the time," he said. "He invited me down to Great Western to have a great a game of cricket." It wasn't long until Mr Hey was on the move again. "I went down to Colac and was going to start playing down there," he said. "I got to know a few people there and they suggested to start umpiring - which I did." That's when Mr Hey's long-lasting umpire career began, in 1978. Mr Hey moved back to Stawell after a few more years and umpired in the Grampians competition ever since. "A highlight of my umpiring would be doing the Pakistan-Victorian game with David Snell, in 1983," he said. "I was fortunate enough to umpire some legends of the game at that time." Reflecting on all the years standing on Central Park, Mr Hey said it was a magnificent ground to play and umpire on. "In my opinion, within the Western District it (Central Park) was the premier ground then; and is now," he said. "It's superb, it's like a carpet." Mr Hey said umpiring was a choice to make as he loves the game and is a self-proclaimed "cricket nut". "You get the best spot in the house, it's the best spot to watch from," he said. "I've collected so much memorabilia over the years and have spent so much time packing it up. "I've been here over 50 years off and on and I'll be watching the removalists like a hawk when they move my things." Mr Hey was a founder of the Grampians Cricket Umpires Association, together with Anthony Martin, in the early 1980s. "You really have to love the game to do it," he said. "I would like to think most players respect the umpires and understand the job you are doing. "I hope people take the opportunity to come and learn the skill of umpiring. "The only requirement you need really is to have played a game of cricket to understand the jargon and principles." Mr Hey said once he is settled in his new town, he will touch base with the association in the area and hopefully pick up some cricket games to umpire. While you’re with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday morning from the Stawell Times-News. To make sure you’re up-to-date with all the news from across the Northern Grampians shire, sign up here.
MOVING ON: Duncan Hey packed up his house this week, including his memorabilia, as he moves to Maryborough. Picture: CASSANDRA LANGLEY
Duncan Hey has spent a bittersweet week packing up years of cricket memorabilia as he departs Stawell.
Mr Hey is moving to Maryborough - giving up his role as an umpire with the Grampians Cricket Association.
For more than 40 years, Hey has put on the whites on a Saturday and taken on the rule enforcer role on the field.
As Mr Hey went through his things, memories came flooding back.
Mr Hey began playing cricket with Stawell-based team Trinity before making a move to Cornish Town named after an old suburb of Stawell in the gold mining days.
"We were based near where Laidlaw Park is now," he said.
"There's still a pitch under the ground somewhere there."
After spending a few years away from the area, Mr Hey said he was coaxed into playing cricket by an old friend, Neil Brehaut.
"I was working at the Commonwealth Bank in Ararat at the time," he said.
"He invited me down to Great Western to have a great a game of cricket."
It wasn't long until Mr Hey was on the move again.
"I went down to Colac and was going to start playing down there," he said.
"I got to know a few people there and they suggested to start umpiring - which I did."
That's when Mr Hey's long-lasting umpire career began, in 1978.
Mr Hey moved back to Stawell after a few more years and umpired in the Grampians competition ever since.
"A highlight of my umpiring would be doing the Pakistan-Victorian game with David Snell, in 1983," he said.
"I was fortunate enough to umpire some legends of the game at that time."
Reflecting on all the years standing on Central Park, Mr Hey said it was a magnificent ground to play and umpire on.
RECOGNITION: Duncan Hey awarded Grampians Umpire Association's life membership.
"In my opinion, within the Western District it (Central Park) was the premier ground then; and is now," he said.
"It's superb, it's like a carpet."
Mr Hey said umpiring was a choice to make as he loves the game and is a self-proclaimed "cricket nut".
"You get the best spot in the house, it's the best spot to watch from," he said.
"I've collected so much memorabilia over the years and have spent so much time packing it up.
"I've been here over 50 years off and on and I'll be watching the removalists like a hawk when they move my things."
Mr Hey was a founder of the Grampians Cricket Umpires Association, together with Anthony Martin, in the early 1980s.
"You really have to love the game to do it," he said.
"I would like to think most players respect the umpires and understand the job you are doing.
"I hope people take the opportunity to come and learn the skill of umpiring.
"The only requirement you need really is to have played a game of cricket to understand the jargon and principles."
Mr Hey said once he is settled in his new town, he will touch base with the association in the area and hopefully pick up some cricket games to umpire.
While you’re with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday morning from the Stawell Times-News. To make sure you’re up-to-date with all the news from across the Northern Grampians shire, sign up here.
