A four-year journey to raise awareness of Australia’s first touring international sporting team has had a fitting end in Queenscliff. 

Having travelled through 11 different municipalities and throughout England, the Mullagh Wills Foundation chose Queenscliff as the last destination of a message book that celebrates the original journey of Australia’s first Aboriginal Cricket team, which left from the town in 1868. 

To mark the book’s arrival, Foundation members and dignitaries attended a traditional smoking ceremony and Queenscliff and Anglesea B-Grade cricket teams competed for a newly-struck Mullagh Wills shield on Saturday February 29. 

“We saw the message book as an opportunity to talk about reconciliation through sport,” said Foundation Chair Jane Nathan. 

“That book has now travelled the same journey as the original team and it is absolutely pivotal that it came to Queenscliff because this is where they left on that journey.”

“It was an extraordinary story and we have got the opportunity here today to say it’s done its journey,” Ms Nathan said.

With the Victorian Aboriginal Protectorate Board threatening to stop them leaving the country, the team of 13 Aboriginal cricketers, mostly from the Western District, boarded a boat from Queenscliff for a “fishing trip” but never returned. 

They spent 125 days touring England and played cricket on 99 of them. 

Ian Friend, an ancestor of Captain Charles Lawrence, who organised the fishing boat, showcased original photographs and momentos of the tour, including a cricket bat. 

“It’s a great story and the thing is the tour was widely supported by everyone, it was only the Protectorate Board that said no,” he said. 

“Queenscliff is a special part of the story because this is where the team left on a fishing trip to become Australia’s first international sporting team. When you think of it that way, it is really significant.”

Foundation co-founder and secretary Ian Coutts spoke to school children at the Borough’s three primary schools ahead of the official event. 

“It’s a story that needs to be told and more people should know about it,” he said. 

Queenscliffe Mayor, Ross Ebbels said he hoped the event would now be recognised annually, both with a cricket game, and through a broader celebration.  
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“We want to know more about our indigenous history and one way to do it is to start with this first Australian cricket team tour to England,” he said. 
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Queenscliff Football and Netball club coaching staff have switched their focus from potential flags to protecting the mental health of players, as a result of the coronavirus crisis. 

Players had been training since last November in readiness for Bellarine league round one matches this month. 

Instead all games have been put on hold until the end of May, with the very real possibility of the season being scrapped altogether.

“It’s really disappointing obviously, but there are more important things to worry about,” said senior football coach Steve Clark. 

“We’ve just basically said to the players to do what you've got to do and we’ll be back in contact in a couple of weeks when we have a better idea from AFL Barwon about what’s going on. 

“There’s just so much going through players' heads at the moment with family and jobs.

“We’re keeping in contact through Facebook chats, and my message to them is it’s okay for them to feel how they want to feel and not worry about footy at the moment,” Clark said. 

"It’s important that they look after themselves and most importantly, stay connected and not shut themselves off.”

AFL Barwon said it had taken advice from the AFL, Netball Victoria, governments and health authorities in closing down all games, social activities and club gatherings. 

“This unprecedented situation has presented challenges for everyone, and we want to thank our clubs for being proactive on this issue and know that will continue,” the league said. 

“The safety and welfare of our players, volunteers, officials and their families remains our number one priority.” 

The move is set to deliver a massive financial blow to country clubs, with fears some could fold. 

In recent days, despite the turmoil, the club announced key sponsorships with Searoad Ferries and Sencia. 

“Our club president Rowan Martin has been terrific in keeping a sense of calm  and that’s really important,” said Clark. 

“We’ll be one hundred per cent ready to go if play does start, I’ll be making sure everything is right in the background along with other coaches. 

"There’s going to be plenty of time for our players to get fit and turn their legs over, but every other team is in the same boat.

“Some players are going for a run, some had been going to the gym and others aren’t doing that and I just want them to know that’s okay. 
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"They’re allowed to feel how they want to feel, football takes a back seat. It’s more about them staying connected and focussing on what really matters,” he said. 
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For some 26 years, PV Mavis III provided safe passage through the notorious 'rip' for sea farers. 

She will now see out her days as a tourist attraction at the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum. 

In a major logistical operation, the decommissioned pilot boat was last month hoisted out of Queenscliff Harbour waters and into her new home, at the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum.  


The Port Phillip Sea Pilots (PPSP) donated the vessel, with local businesses - Queenscliff Harbour Pty Ltd, Drews Haulage, Local Mix Concrete, McHarrys Buslines, Quinlan Cranes, QPL Concreting and Seared Ferries - all donating resources and labour. 
The PV Mavis III was one of the last pilot boats to be built in house at Queenscliff by past and present crew, in 1994.

“Donating the vessel seemed like the right choice for both the environment and to preserve our history in the local area,” the PPSP said.

Ninety-three year old Jack Beazley, who worked as a pilot ship wright for almost 50 years and is also a museum volunteer, was on hand to watch the vessel being lowered into place. 

“Up on the crane I said to them there’s probably some old dear in Beach Street making a cup of coffee at the sink and looking out the window, she sees the bloomin’ boat goes past and wonders if the floods have arrived,” he said. 

“She was up at a great height and if she had have broken loose there’d be no maritime museum there anymore.
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"The boat will be a great addition to the museum," Mr Beazley said. "It already has a lot of history telling the story of the pilots and this will add to it."