Dear members,
Looking back through the history of the Melbourne Cricket Club there have been numerous periods of upheaval and change but few as significant as what we have experienced over the last 20 months.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt across our membership but now, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
On this day, the Club’s 183rd birthday, I would like to thank all MCC members for their patience and understanding during this difficult time.
The good news is, there is plenty to look forward to. Cricket returned to the MCG last weekend with Victoria defeating New South Wales in the first Sheffield Shield match.
The Melbourne Stars are set for a blockbuster homecoming in the Men’s Big Bash League ahead of the jewel of the MCG summer, the Boxing Day Test.
Last month, the Victorian Government provided a positive prediction that the MCG will be able to host approximately 80,000 patrons for the Boxing Day Test this December. We hope to see as many members back through the gates as possible and look forward to welcoming you all back.
One particular milestone that we as a Club have been waiting to celebrate is the long-awaited reopening of the MCC Museum following its refurbishment in 2020 and 2021. As previously advertised, we had hoped to host two special ‘Night at the MCC Museum’ functions for members in August and I am pleased to announce that these functions will now be hosted in early December. Members who had previously entered the ballot to attend will be contacted by our Functions team shortly.
As I reflect on our Club’s birthday today, I am very proud of the way our CEO Stuart Fox and all our MCC staff have tackled the challenges of the last 20 months. Both the Club and the magnificent stadium we manage are emerging from this crisis in good shape. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible over the upcoming summer of cricket.
As we reflect on our 183 years today, it’s your choice to be a member of Australia’s oldest sporting club that contributes to the framework to help the Melbourne Cricket Club inspire greatness at the MCG and within our broader community. Thank you for keeping the Club spirit alive, despite challenging times, and we look forward to sharing in many more special moments once again.
Kind regards,
Michael Happell
President
Melbourne Cricket Club