A Part of Buderim's History

Buderim Cricket – the Early Days

by Bill Lavarack

Recreation on Buderim in the first 25 years involved simple things like trips to the beach at Mooloolah Heads.  However, by 1896, Buderim had a Cricket club. Reporting on a match against Eudlo in 1896, the Brisbane Courier reported that ‘After the match, all adjourned to the School of Arts, where singing, dancing and speechifying were indulged in until nearly midnight.’  Such matches would have involved an overnight stay.  In 1903 a ‘Buderum’ team played Diddillibah and won by an innings and 124 runs.  The team was: S. Fountain, J. Wylie, W. Bell, A. Lindsay, S. Townsend, A. Wylie, L. Fielding, J. Egholm, J. Guy, A. Bate and T. Milne.  Many of Buderim’s pioneering families are represented in this team.

In the 1920s and 1930s Buderim played regularly on a pitch at Foote’s paddock (now the present junction of Gilbert Street and Eckersley Avenue).  The Buderim Tramway provided transport to matches, playing, on one occasion Landsborough at Palmwoods.

The story of cricket on Buderim between 1930 and 1960 comes down to two very different men – Len Sorensen and Henry Iscak.  Henry was a stonewalling batsman, with unlimited dedication to Buderim cricket over several decades, while Len was a talented wicket keeper/batsman who many think should have represented Queensland.  His record is little short of amazing.  Over 35 seasons, he made over 100 centuries.  In 1936/7 he scored 1117 runs averaging 111 with 6 centuries.  Other Buderim players from the 1930s included: J. Lindsay, A. Lindsay, F. Fielding, J. Thompson, J. Neil, C. Sorensen, F. Salway, C. Chilly and V. Payne.

For half a century Buderim cricketers relied on the generosity of landowners to provide a playing field, but in 1948 local volunteers, with the help of the BWMCC, developed the School Oval, levelling it and filling the deep gullies.  Today the oval remains the picturesque centrepiece of Buderim village.

For Buderim history information, email Buderimhistory@gmail.com