End of a grand innings

An iconic figure of BDDCC, Mick started his involvement like many others operating the Bankstown Memorial Oval scoreboard which was later named for his great mate Dion Bourne (deceased).
He played 23 seasons with the Bulldogs, scoring 6,642 runs and taking 23 wickets as well as penning the club’s 50th anniversary book ‘Blue Blood in Their Veins’.
Holding 1st Grade Cap Number 81, he was by far BDCC’s longest serving publicity officer with his ‘superlatives’ gracing the pages of the Canterbury Bankstown Torch newspaper for over 25 years.
Mick always spoke with great pride that he saw every ball of Bankstown’s six Belvidere Cup 1st Grade victories and that he played grade cricket with each of Bankstown’s six Test cricketers.
He is also well known for his stentorian voice that has echoed around Memorial Oval for years with his trademark “Go the Doggies”.
“Our deepest condolences to Mick’s brother Haydn (a former Bulldogs player himself) and his long time companion, best friend and country music dance partner Joy (Joyful) Van Dijk,” a BDCC spokesperson said.
Former Australian cricketer Steve Small said: “My sincere condolences to all of Michael’s family and friends. He was a tremendous mentor in his own way and set a standard for Bankstown-Canterbury cricketers in his time.”
State MP for Bankstown, Tania Mihailuk said: “He was one of Bankstown’s finest!
Sharp mind, terrific writer, speaker, lifelong Labor and union supporter but above all else cricket tragic. He loved and lived for Bankstown Cricket. My sincerest condolences to Joy, family and friends.”
Mick will be farewelled at a funeral at Mary Mother of Mercy Chapel Rookwood Cemetery on Thursday, April 7, at 11am.