The voyage up the Bruce Highway was first embarked on in 2018, and immediately identified that there was a strong demand and support for cricket fundraising events. The first tour saw the Bulls Masters bring Allan Langer, Andrew Gee and Andrew Symonds up to entertain the locals and we raised over $50k that year towards Bundaberg Cricket. The Bulls Masters won a tight game against the Bundaberg Invitational XI, with Ken Healy and Michael Kasprowicz sneaking the winning run in the final over. Since then we’ve bought cricket and sporting royalty, including Chris Lynn, Laura Geitz (netball), Merv Hughes, Ben Lachlan, Lee Carseldine, Darren Lehmann, Ryan Harris, Guy Leech (ironman), Allan Border, Cameron Smith (rugby league), Rupert McCall (poet), Greg Chappell OAM and Steve Waugh AO amongst the most high profile.
Over the past 8 tours, the Bulls Masters tour raised over $400k towards the Bundaberg Cricket programs and this year was another opportunity to deliver outcomes for a Region that gets active and supports the initiatives that support them.
This year we had some of the absolute legends of Queensland Cricket, but we also blooded some of the Queensland Bulls emerging talent. Tearaway quick bowlers Callum Vidler and Tom Whitney are injured and unavailable for the Bulls, but they were among the first selected for the Bundy Tour. Former Brisbane Heat batsman, Alex Ross, fresh off a Big Bash season with the Adelaide Strikers joined the tour to bring some much needed punch with the bat in the T20 game was another big signing to go with the Bulls Masters favourites, including Ian Healy, Luke Feldman, Andy Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz and Bryce Street to name just a few.
We went to the schools with Nathan Hauritz, Tom Whitney and Bryce Street going to Bundaberg East State School, Bargara State School and Woongarra State School. Callum Vidler, Michael Philipson and Steve Paulsen went to St Luke’s, Gooburrum State School and Norville State School. This is crucial work and an integral part of the Bulls Masters DNA.
The dinner at the Multiplex was a sell-out which is no surprise for Bundaberg who always get out and attend Bulls Masters events in huge numbers. We heard legendary Australian poet, Rupert McCall wax off with his classic poem, “Blood and Bone Maroon”. Ian Healy hit the stage for some insights into his storied career and some observations he made along that distinguished journey. The entertainment continued with the story from Mick Colliss about how he went on to live out his dream of representing Australia at the International Sudoku Championships held in Goa, India. Anyone who had the fortune of hearing Mick recount his heroic tale will never forget this one!
The game at Salter Oval always begins with a free kids super clinic where all of the Bulls Masters team join the Queensland Cricket local representatives to run games and drills for the kids before the game.
Callum Vidler opened the batting for the first time since he was at school and he looked right at home out in the middle with Bryce Street, getting the Bulls Masters off to a strong start. Alex Ross came in next and was at the middle when Bryce Street notched up his 50*. Ross would then hit his own half-century on the way to setting up a big total of 6/186 for the Bulls Masters.
The locals were on track for a win, after being 2/100 after 10 overs. Steve Paulsen saved the Masters blushes with a fine spell of leg-spin bowling, taking 3 wickets in an over to halt the local sides momentum and deliver another win.
A big thanks must go to local sponsors, DevCore, Bundaberg McDonalds, Rum City Foods, The Waves Sports Club and Hitz93.1 FM.
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