.jpg)
The Melbourne Cricket Club would like to thank David Studham for his 30 years of service as he retires from his role as MCC Librarian.
David began at the MCC in January 1994 to catalogue the Pat Mullins Collection – one of the four largest private sports book collections in the world – which was purchased by the Club in 1988.
Later that year, he was appointed Assistant Librarian before taking over as Librarian from Ross Peacock in April 1997.
As MCC Librarian, David is the go-to for sporting – particularly cricket – history, with duties ranging from producing the match day Library Fact Sheets, assisting with research queries, managing the Library’s journal and publishing program, and providing support for various exhibitions within the Library, MCC Museum and Australian Sports Museum.
During his time with the MCC, David saw many milestones and major projects.
In 2003, he oversaw the relocation of the entire Library collection from the MCG for the Northern Stand redevelopment – and also oversaw the cataloguing of the backlog while off-site.
In 2006, following the redevelopment, David oversaw the relocation and installation of the Collection back to the stadium, making the MCC Library as we know it today, and also assisted with the research for the MCC Museum which opened that same year.
Other achievements during David’s time with the MCC include:
- Helping to organise the Australian leg of the Marylebone Cricket Club’s tour of Ashes artifacts in 2006/07
- Assisting with the MCG History and Back Yard to Baggy Green exhibits in the National Sports Museum in 2008
- Organising ‘The Crooked Staffe’ exhibition in 2010/11 marking 400 years of cricket in print on the anniversary of the Library’s oldest item; a dictionary mentioning cricket from 1611
- The Library’s 150th celebrations in 2023 – including the curating of the Library’s 150 treasure for display during the celebrations
David also oversaw the MCC Library’s journal, The Yorker, which received three consecutive awards for Best Sports Heritage Magazine from the International Sports Heritage Association during his time as Librarian.
The Melbourne Cricket Club thanks David for his service, and wishes him all the best for his retirement.